Home Security Risks That Many Homeowners Overlook

Many homeowners assume that their homes are safe and protected at all times. But criminals do target residential premises. Explore residential security risks that many homeowners overlook.

Insufficient Outdoor Lighting

Criminals often target homes that have low outdoor visibility at night. Poor outdoor lighting means that intruders can easily sneak into your home without anybody seeing them. So install lighting fixtures at various points of your home, including the back porch, front door, and driveway. The lights may be motion-activated to reduce energy consumption and only turn on when a person moves in the lights’ vicinity.

Trees Near the Porch or Upstairs Window

Some homeowners do not think much about upstairs security since they believe the upper floors are inaccessible. But burglars can still use tall trees near porches or upstairs windows to break into upstairs rooms. These trees can also provide cover to intruders and reduce visibility in your property. Always trim trees near the house and securely store any ladder in your yard. Upstairs windows should also have window pins to enhance security further.

The Dog Door

Larger dogs require large dog doors that may be big enough for burglars to squeeze through. And even if the burglar can’t fit through the door, they can unlock your front or back door via the dog door. A double-cylinder deadbolt lock can be a solution since the lock requires a key from the inside and outside of the house. Another solution is to position the dog door far away from the lock or hinges.

Privacy Fences and Gates

People often install privacy gates and fences to keep prying eyes away and deter criminals. But the privacy fences can be counterproductive and encourage burglars to attack your home. The privacy fences provide cover and prevent neighbors from spotting intruders in your home. If you have an unobstructed and clear walkway around your home, criminals can be reluctant to attack a place with clear views from the street, as passersby and neighbors can easily see them.

Location Tags

Many social media apps can pick up your location and share it with your followers and other people on the internet. People can also know your whereabouts if you constantly post pictures of your activities. For example, sharing pictures while on vacation is a natural desire but may be a security risk. Thieves might know your home is unattended and strike to steal items.

Keys Under the Mat

People often hide their spare keys somewhere on the property, usually under the mat. While this can be helpful if you lose your main key, burglars are often aware of this hiding spot. If you have to hide the key on your property, use disguised items like a fake rock. A statue hidden among the bushes in your property or a secret compartment on the walls of your house can also help.

Visible Valuables

Criminals will be more motivated to break into your home if they can steal something valuable. Some of these valuables can be visible through the windows, especially a ground-floor window. A common example is jewelry that hangs on dressers in ground-floor bedrooms. Even expensive televisions visible from the street are a security risk. Blinds and shades can help make your valuables less conspicuous. Another option is to have a secret hideaway to store your valuables. Criminals can steal valuable items from your home and lead to costly damage. At A Tech Security, we design, install, and maintain residential and commercial security systems. Our services include reliable security systems, closet shelving solutions, and home theater systems. Contact us to get started. We look forward to helping you.

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    Todd at A Tech did an awesome job setting up all the electronics in our basement. We have surround sound and all of the electronics are hidden in a closet with only 1 remote. My husband is techy so he worked with A Tech more than I did but my only request to Todd was that I needed to be able to watch tv and play a dvd without asking for help (I am not techy!) One fabulous remote runs everything and has pictures and an easy menu! They also fixed the internet issue in our house! Very Happy Customers!

    -Maureen Mitchell

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    Todd designed a whole house audio system with separate controls for every room with one receiver. He was extremely knowledgeable about speaker placement, size and quality. The end product is amazing. He also recommended a remote that controls everything. This is one of my favorite features. I have also purchased several items for my garage organization that I love. They have everything from home audio, garage organization to kitchen items in the store. Will continue to do business with them as I still need closet organization.

    -Gabe Bosma

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    This is the perfect place to go when you have no idea what to get your relatives for Christmas/birthdays. They have fun gadgets all the way up to amazing electronics. Their customized closets are also something just about anyone can use. Who doesn't want to save some space in their home? Stop by and check it out sometime.

    -Chandler Faldet

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    We have had our Beam Central Vac for over 15 years and absolutely love it! It is convenient, easy to use and best of all - keeps the 'dust' out of the home!. We have had very good service when we needed it, we replaced the motor in the unit once (very reasonable) and had replaced the power brush handle once. Pretty good for a unit that is over 15 years old! The folks at A Tech Easy Living Store are knowledgeable and very willing to assist in any way they can. Highly recommend visiting the store! They have LOTS of items that can make your life easier in your home!

    -John Mauch

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    Great products! Exceptional Service! I was out of idea for what to buy my wife. I stopped at The Easy Living Store and they had all I needed to make her happy. I would have never thought of a self opening garbage can as a great gift idea, but they said she would love it and she did! I was amazed at everything the store had to offer and how helpful the staff was there. I will go back.

    -H.A. Gross

  • What Our Clients Say

    ATech is a great company to work with. Todd T. works hard to ensure your project is completed on time and on budget. He has great attention to detail and has many solutions for many different areas of your home. The Company has been around for a long time and has a great reputation in our community. Thanks!

    -Jacob Burkhart

  • What Our Clients Say

    Todd did an awesome job getting all the components into our basement home theater system that my techy husband wanted plus making it easy for me to run with only one remote. We are very happy! The guys that came to install the systems were polite and patient with me and took time to explain how to work it all!

    -Maureen Mitchell

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    A Tech Easy Living is the "go to" place for my organization needs. They have items I didn't even know existed that solved my organization needs. And the service is impeccable. They are very attentive and help me find what I need to solve my problem.

    -Ernie Moore

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    I have hard wood floors and Beam has a attachment I bought it at the store and it is a God send I simply love it, it is a dry mop on the vac! Amazing! I'm buying a spare mop when I go back! I bought my vac at Van Berkum's in Pella (Where I live) never will I go back there, they sent my head out for as a loaner and gave me some one elses. How is that for doing business! We argued for a long time about this and was getting no where she kept saying that it was my head, I will never go back there to buy anything! I'm 60 minutes from Des Moines and I will take my vac to be serviced at the Easy Living Store anytime!

    -Jo Owens-Lovett

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    Easy living best describes the results you get from this store. From hi-tech entertainment systems, whole house vacuums, closet organizers and much more...this store has it all. And for kitchen gadgets and accessories, they are well stocked.

    -Nick Gelormino

  • What Our Clients Say

    Todd and his staff were very professional and easy to work with during our recent project of updating our home entertainment system. I wouldn't think twice about referring A Tech Easy Living Store!!! Thanks

    -DJ Bork

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    wish every home repair could be this easy!!! My central vacuum was having issues, burned out motor, poor connection and an outlet issue. The technician called me a bit early and said he was ahead of schedule, perfect! He was waiting when i got there, diagnosed it in about 10 minutes, I asked how long it would take to get the parts, he said he had them on the truck! I thought maybe they were generic, but when they made the appt they asked what model. He made the right diagnosis and fixed in about 20 minutes! Couldn't really ask for much more!!! The only remote downside was when I called on saturday the lady asked me to call back on monday. Great service and a great experience!

    -Sean Sellers

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    I live in a 50's home. I had A Tech come and redo my closets for me. They had great ideas, listened to my input and now I have great closets, even though I live in an older home!

    -Nancy Plagman

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