Ready to protect your family from more than burglars?
When people think about home security they think deadbolts and alarm systems. But here’s the thing… Criminals aren’t trying to kick down your door.
They’re stealing your mail. They’re taking packages off your porch. They’re hacking into your network.
And if you have a busy family with little time to think about security?
You’re already leaving the door wide open.
The truth is that you don’t need hours of research to protect your home. You just need to know what most families completely ignore…and take steps to close those security gaps.
In this blog we’re going to cover:
- How Standard Security Leaves You Vulnerable
- The Mail Theft Problem Few Are Talking About
- Package Theft: 3 Solutions That Actually Work
- Securing Your Family’s Digital Life
- Why Every Home Needs a Full Security Strategy
How Standard Home Security Leaves You Vulnerable
Door locks are important. Security cameras are useful too.
But they do little to protect you from missing packages, mail theft, or identity theft. According to the United States Postal Inspection Service mail theft complaints surged from roughly 60k complaints in 2018 to over 250k complaints in 2023.
That’s absolutely insane.
Think about all of the mail you get that has your personal information on it.
Bank statements, credit cards, medical bills, tax documents. Thieves can literally open your mailbox and get everything they need to steal your identity.
It’s even worse if you work a full-time job or have kids in school. Deliveries are made all day meaning most homes are empty whenever the post office releases your mail from that unlocked box on your curb.
Solution: Use a virtual mailbox service like ipostal1 to route mail to a secure location. Rather than sitting on your curb, mail is scanned and stored digitally so you can access it anywhere.
Simple. Secure. Smart.
The Mail Theft Problem Few Are Talking About
Okay. Quick story.
My brother had his identity stolen recently because of mail theft. Someone took his mail and used his information to open new lines of credit.
He didn’t find out until his credit score dropped over 100 points.
They literally stole his identity and he didn’t know for months.
Here are some tell-tale signs mail theft is affecting your family:
- Missing bank or credit card statements
- Charges you don’t recognize on your statement
- Neighbor’s mailbox knocked over
- Missing/packages are ripped open in your mailbox
Stop making it easy for criminals.
This isn’t luck. This is the perfect environment for mail theft to happen.
Do you have a secure mailbox? No criminals can see inside when it’s full of mail? Upgrade today.
Package Theft: 3 Solutions That Actually Work
Package theft is real friends. It happens to busy families every day.
An incredible 119 million packages were stolen in 2023. The average homeowner had about a 1 in 180 packages stolen before they could get it.
Yikes.
If you live in a city with crowded apartment complexes…it’s likely much higher.
Fortunately there are some simple solutions to keep your packages safe.
Solution #1: Signature Confirmation
Require deliveries to be signed. That way packages aren’t just left on your porch.
Solution #2: Amazon Locker or Other Delivery Locker
Pickup points like Amazon Lockers are spread throughout most major cities. Packages can be delivered here instead of your home.
Solution #3: Video Doorbell
Yes. A video doorbell is often enough to deter common package theft.
One of my neighbor’s cars gets broken into on a weekly basis. But since he installed a video doorbell…his packages are always left on the porch with no issues.
Honestly, use all of the above just to be safe.
Securing Your Family’s Digital Life
Physical security isn’t the only thing you should worry about.
If a criminal knows how to hack your wifi network they can watch your home security cameras, unlock your smart locks, and even view what your baby monitor sees.
Here are some quick digital security tips for your family.
Solution #1: Secure Your Router
Always change default passwords. Enable two-factor authentication. Purchase a router that allows you to update the firmware. Use a different WIFI network for IoT devices than you do for computers.
Solution #2: IoT Security
Did you know that cheap smart doorbells come with HORRIBLE security protocols? Research anything you buy and connect to your home network. Don’t become another statistic where a hacker utilized your home security camera to peer into your kids bedroom.
Your Front Door Is (Still) Your Weakness
I know we took a slight detour to discuss digital security but hear me out…
Most burglars aren’t trying to defeat high-tech security systems to get into your home. They walk right past homes protected by Ring doorbells and Spy cameras to ones that look like they weren’t locked.
34% of burglars entered homes through an unlocked door.
Yep. You read that correctly.
Most thieves won’t waste their time trying to break a lock. If you leave your door unlocked, they will walk right in.
Kid leaves for school and forgets to lock the door? Unlocked.
Does the garage get left open? Unlocked.
Window’s cracked open on a nice day? Unlocked.
Get in the habit of locking your home every time you exit.
Solution: Create a home departure checklist. Include:
- All doors locked (Garage too!)
- Alarm is set
- No packages should be on the porch
- Schedule deliveries for when someone will be home
Thirty seconds of your day that could pay off immensely if you ever become a victim.
Want Full Home Security? Close Every Open Entrance
Alright, now let’s get back to it.
If you want complete home security you have to cover all of your openings. This doesn’t just mean your front door. It means your mailbox, your packages, and even digital attacks.
Look at home security as layers that protect each other.
Layer 1: Physical Locks On Doors & Windows
Most of these precautions should go without saying, but make sure you have:
- Good locks on all doors and windows
- Install strike plate locks and reinforce door frames
- Security film on windows
- Exterior doors are impossible to see through at night
Layer 2: Mail & Package Security
USPS doesn’t know how to protect your mail deliveries. That means it’s on you to ensure packages and letters aren’t stolen.
- Lock mailbox or use a virtual mailbox service
- Use video doorbell to monitor packages
- Require signature on packages
- Use Amazon locker or similar service for package deliveries
Layer 3: Digital Security
You’ve done everything you can to physically protect your home, but do you know who has access to your wifi?
Without digital security hackers can view your security cameras, unlock your doors, and even view inside of your kids rooms.
- Enable 2-factor authentication on everything you can
- Always secure your router (default passwords are a big NO)
- Use a VPN on public WIFI
- Purchase a router that allows you to update firmware
Layer 4: Lighting
Motion lights are a great inexpensive way to secure your home.
If a criminal doesn’t feel like they can hide around your property they will move on to the next house that looks easier.
You should have motion detecting lights above all entry points.
Start at the front door and work your way around.
Conclusion: Layers of Protection, Not Solutions
People get caught up on finding the best home security system.
News flash: There is no best security system. Home security isn’t one product…its layers of protection.
Layers that work together to cover each other’s weak points.
Simple. Secure. Smart.
Final Thoughts: Easy Security Tips For Busy Families
Home security isn’t what it used to be.
You can’t just buy a Ring doorbell and think you did everything you could to secure your home. Thieves can steal your packages, mail, and even hack your home if you’re not careful.
If you don’t have time to deep dive into all things security, start with these quick tips.
- Lock your mailbox or get a secure mailbox service
- Enable Package Notifications
- Set up credit card alerts to be notified of all activity
- Change your wifi password to something secure
- Install motion lights above all entrances to your home
Better safe than sorry friends.