5+ Common Things Most People Forget to Secure

Awareness is one of the most important factors that influences security. You probably remember to close your windows and night and lock the front door and arm your security system when leaving your home. However, there are several common things that many people fail to realize need to be secured. Simply making yourself aware of these things can help you better secure your belongings and stay on top of an overall security plan.

Let’s take a look at five of the most common things people forget to secure.

Important Documents

If a document contains any personal information, it should be kept secure or destroyed immediately. When you fail to keep documents containing personal information secure, you could be at risk for identity theft and a number of other problems. Here are just a few documents that many people fail to properly secure:

  • Birth certificates
  • Vehicle and property titles
  • Social security cards
  • Wills
  • Bank statements and documents

Guns and Ammunition

Whether you have guns and ammunition for hunting or sport shooting or you keep them to help protect your home in the event of an emergency, it’s important to secure them properly. Guns can be extremely efficient when stored and used properly, but they’re deadly when they fall into the wrong hands.

Always remember to store all weapons and ammunition appropriately when not in use. Make sure they are kept in an area where they are only accessible by individuals with the proper training and knowledge.

Cash

If you still carry cash around or keep large amounts of it in your home, properly securing it is crucial. If you keep cash in your home, avoid storing it in obvious locations like your sock drawer. Instead, keep it in a more secure location, like a safe. When carrying cash on your person, make sure it is in a secure wallet, and avoid flashing it in crowds of people.

Passwords, PINs and Access Codes

Do you have PINs, access codes or passwords written down in a notebook, typed up in a document or stored somewhere else? If so, it’s crucial to make sure this information is secured. If you have passwords written on a notebook on your desk, a home intruder can gain instant access to all of your online accounts. It’s also crucial to never write your PIN on the back of a debit card, just in case it is ever stolen.

Jewelry

Whether you have jewelry with a high monetary value or high sentimental value, you need to store it in a way that makes it inaccessible to home intruders. The average burglar spends just 8 to 12 minutes inside a home, and during that brief time, they grab the things that are most likely to have value – such as jewelry.

Keep your jewelry in a secured jewelry box or a lock box, and store it in an area that is easily accessible to you but not to home intruders.

Landscaping

Keeping up with your landscaping could keep burglars at bay. Overgrown shrubs and grass make it easier for criminals to sneak onto your property and enter your home undetected. Keep your grass and bushes trimmed, and if you’d like to have larger plants on your property, opt for thorny shrubs that make unappealing hiding places.

Install lights in dark corners of your property as well. It is much harder for someone to lurk in the shadows if there are no shadows in which to lurk.

Quick Tips to Improve Security

You already know to keep your doors and windows closed and locked, especially at night and when you’re not at home. However, no matter how diligent you are, though, there could still be some ways to keep your home secure that you have never thought about. Let’s take a closer look at some lesser-known ways to keep your home secure.

Install Your Keypad in a Secure Location

Install your keypad in a location that is convenient for you to access but hidden away from prying eyes. Keypads should never be placed in areas that can be seen from outside your home, so look for a spot that is away from windows and doors. A home security company can help you determine the best location.

Use Decoys to Keep Real Valuables Safe

Keep your expensive jewelry hidden away, and store costume jewelry in your jewelry box or even on top of your dresser. You could also keep your real wallet securely hidden and leave a decoy wallet filled with empty gift cards in plain sight. Thieves want to get in and out of homes quickly, so they will most likely grab the decoys without further searching.

Maintain Your Privacy

  • Park your car inside your garage
  • Don’t post on social media when you are not home
  • Don’t use your specific address as your home location on your car’s GPS
  • Keep insurance and registration documents in your wallet or purse instead of in your vehicle

Securing the Things That Matter Most

While these are some of the most common things that people forget to properly secure, there are several others. It is essential to take care of the things that matter most to you and store them in a manner that protects them from theft and damage. If you need help securing your belongings in the Denver area, Colorado Security Products can help. We offer a full range of security cameras, security systems, safes and more, and we can help you devise a comprehensive security plan that suits your needs.

To learn more, please contact us today by calling 303-756-1000.