It is easy to have a false sense of security in your home. but letting or guard down and failing to take some precautions can make your home a target for intruders and burglars. The last thing anyone wants to deal with is having their belongings stolen by an intruder or being put in harms way when an armed stranger breaks into the home. For your safety and the safety of your family, avoid these following home security mistakes:

Not Having an Alarm System Installed

Installing an alarm system in your home is one of the easiest ways to make your house more secure. When you have a monitored alarm system, you will have the peace of mind of knowing that the police will be alerted if the alarm goes off whether you're home or not, day and night. An alarm system helps protect your house when no one is home, and also protects your family when you're sleeping. Today's alarm systems are quite sophisticated, and you can also include surveillance cameras both inside your home as well as outside.

Failing to Keep Doors and Windows Locked

Failure to lock your doors and windows makes it so much easier for an intruder to access your home. No matter how save your neighborhood is, it is always important to keep your doors and windows locked, even if you are at home. If you have older windows in your home, you may want to invest in new locks to ensure that they can't be pried open. You should also have a heavy-duty dead bolt lock on your doors, and don't forget to get extra locking mechanisms for sliding glass doors.

Neglecting to Be Transparent About Your Security Measures

Burglars and intruders tend to look for homes that are easy targets-- they don't want to worry about getting caught. Thus, it is important to let these criminals know that you have taken measures to secure your home. If your alarm system is equipped with surveillance cameras, make sure you install them in spots that are highly visible so intruders can see them. Most alarm system companies also give customers a sign that states that their home is protected by a security system-- make sure you display this sign prominently in your yard.

Poor Lighting in Your Yard

Intruders who break into homes at night or in the early morning hours count on darkness to help conceal them. Thus, if the exterior of your home is well-lit, an intruder may be less likely to target your house. It is a good idea to set up bright motion-activated flood lights around the perimeter of your home. Also make sure that your front doorway is well-lit so you can clearly see out the peep hole at night. 

Talk with a security company, like Videotec Corporation, for more help.