Most of us take for granted that we can have a phenomenal security system, but do little things to make them ineffective. It is because of this that you should consider some of the following common mistakes that people make and verify that you have the tools in place to avoid becoming a victim because of poor judgment. If you need to, you might also consider consulting with a residential locksmith to ensure your locks are up solid protectors along with these items.1. Avoid the lockout key or hide-a-key.Chances are there might be a time when you need a key outside of your home to help you get inside. However, this key can prove to be problematic as many criminals know that some homeowners place these outside their home.

If it is easily found, they can get into your home and move unnoticed because of the lack of forced entry.2. Don't write your alarm code next to your alarm.Too often, people will place it in this area so that they remember the code. In addition to not placing it there, consider a number that doesn't appear too obvious to strangers. Avoid using your street address, telephone numbers and similar items that would be easy to guess.3. Refrain from making it known that you are away from home.While you might want to tell everyone you know that a big vacation is coming up, consider keeping it down to the fewest number of people possible. Tell your family, friends and next door neighbors at a maximum. The less people that know, the better chances there are that someone will come around and cause trouble.4. Lock your doors even on short trips.

It can take less than 5 minutes for a criminal to walk in and out of your home with your valuables. Even if you are going to the store just for five minutes, be sure that you lock your doors. You never know who is watching your home and waiting for a chance to break into it.5. If you lose a key, rekey or change the locks.Too often, people will lose keys and ignore the problem. What you might not be aware of is that a key can be lost in your home, in the rifle safe driveway or other areas where someone can connect it with your house.

This in turn can give the individual with the key easy access to your home. Because of this, you will want to ensure that all your locks are handled accordingly and changed should you lose a key.These are the essential basics you will need to keep in mind when you are trying to keep your home safe and secure. Keep in mind that there may be other items you do that might not be effective for your home security. If you ever have any doubts on how secure your home is, you can also contact a residential locksmith to help you make a determination as well.