Security experts have weighed in on some things that you definitely shouldn't do when you leave the house, for your own safety.
Small things a lot of us habitually do are putting us at risk, so the experts have shared how they protect their own homes.
So without further ado, here are the nine things that you should avoid at all costs when heading out.
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Taking the same route every time you leave
Changing the times and routes you take from your home can prevent intruders from figuring your schedule at, putting you at less risk of being burgled.
Former SWAT commander and co-found of Survival Response LLC, Gene Petrino explained to HuffPost: “By maintaining a predictable routine, you allow observant intruders to plan a burglary around your schedule, knowing exactly when you won’t be home.”
Posting your whereabouts on social media
Safety expert Rebecca Edwards, who works for SafeWise, admitted: “[I would never post] that I’m going on vacation, out for the night, to a Taylor Swift concert, etc.
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“Don’t let the world know your every move,” she highlighted.
Speaking about something known as 'bling ring', when celebrities posted on Instagram that they were on holiday or at an awards show, teenagers then broke into their homes.
Home security expert at Batten Safe, Kirk MacDowell advised that posting pictures about your holiday is safer to do when you're back.
“If you’re going out of town and you want to see friends, social media is fine if it’s person-to-person,” he explained.
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“But I really wouldn’t blast out that you’re going away.”
Forgetting to lock up and use your alarm system
Edwards added that the number of burglaries that take place because someone has forgotten to lock up is astounding, as they're essentially just walking in.
“Unlocked or open windows, especially those that are hidden from street view, can be easily accessed, allowing intruders a quiet and discreet way into your home,” he revealed.
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It's also worth utilising your security system if it's installed, and adding contact sensors to windows.
Keeping the front door light on during the day
Edwards highlighted: “If you don’t normally have the porch light on all day and night, suddenly having it illuminated nonstop is a sign that the home may be unoccupied.”
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He advised to put lights on timers to make it look like someone is in the house, with there being Wi-Fi compatible systems that allow you to turn lights on and off remotely, with options to turn them on and off if someone were to ring the doorbell, for example.
Leaving equipment out
Leaving ladders or tools out and easily seen by any passerby, burglars can be tempted to break in and steal not just your equipment on display, but valuables from your home by using the ladder and tools outside.
This is where the crucial nature of locking your second floor windows come into play, MacDowell explained.
Putting your ladder and equipment away when you're away is crucial.
Letting mail pile up
This is a giveaway, which can be stopped by telling the post office to hold onto your packages and letters until you're back, or telling a trusted friend or family member to pick your delivered goods up until you're back.
“I never leave signs that my house is unattended, [like] leaving the mailbox overflowing,” Petrino revealed.
Hiding a spare key under the mat or in a flowerpot
It's rule number one in keeping your home safe, everyone knows about these common spots, none more so than burglars.
“These common hiding spots are well-known to burglars,” Petrino explained.
“If an intruder finds a spare key, they can enter your home quickly without the need to force entry, making it less likely for neighbors … to notice something amiss.”
Giving a spare key to a neighbour or friend, or even using a smart lock, can eliminate this risk completely, and you'll never lose your house key.
Neglecting landscaping and snow removal
If snow is continuing to pile up in front of your home, or the grass has been left to grow for too long, people may start to think that the house is empty, which is why you should hire someone to water plants, mow the lawn, clear snow, etc, if you're out of town.
“An unattended property is a more attractive target because it reduces the risk of confrontation and increases the time burglars can spend undetected,” Petrino said.
Leaving your parking space unoccupied
Edwards revealed what she does when she goes away: “I’ll ask a neighbor, friend or family member to use my car if it’s parked on the street or in front of my home to give the impression that I’m still coming and going.”
MacDowell parks his car in the garage and tells neighbours to park in his driveway, which makes burglars think that someone is always in.
Joshua Nair