Mornings are both hectic and a key time for home security – which isn’t always a good mix. As experts reportedMost burglars strike in the middle of the day, when people are less likely to be around, and look for easy vulnerabilities.

If you’re in a hurry, you could leave your home open to theft or create other costly problems. We’ve identified the most common steps that busy people tend to forget. So when the hectic morning routine begins, here’s what to check – or recheck – before you head out.

1. Unplug radiators

If the morning is cool, it’s common operate a radiator in colder rooms for more warmth. Or you can have a heater plugged in the night before. Unplug or at least completely turn off all heating appliances before leaving the house.

Even if it’s not currently on, active heating in an empty home can pose a significant fire risk. This is also good advice for any appliance you have that gets hot! This could include an electric blanket, an electric kettle to boil water, etc.

Learn more: 9 places where you should never install a radiator

2. Side door locks

Locking the front door every morning can be a pain, but it’s an easy habit to get into, especially if you use automatic smart lock settings. But thinking about locking other doors, like sliding doors or garage doors, is trickier. Thieves are always looking for an easy way to get in, so it’s common for them to quickly check every door in a home.

You could choose an affordable smart lever lock upgrade for your side doors so you no longer have to worry about forgetting them. Or create a routine – maybe with the help of voice assistant reminders — go around the house to check each door before leaving.

3. Lower the thermostat

Leaving the thermostat too high is a costly mistake, but it’s easy to forget heating levels when you’re in a hurry. When possible, use the thermostat’s scheduling features to automatically dim the heating/cooling in the morning when everyone leaves the house. If you’re still adjusting your thermostat changes manually, it’s probably time for a change.

Adjust temperatures for about 7 to 10 degrees more or less as if people were at home. Consider animal comfort and the plants who stay behind. And don’t forget to update your morning schedules seasonally based on weather trends in your area.

Learn more: The best smart thermostats

4. Closing windows

If you have opened windows to enjoy the cool night air, consider closing them in the morning. Burglars often watch for open windows, which could allow quick entry into a home. Plus, as the day gets hotter, open windows could disrupt your heating or cooling and cost more.

5. Check the kitchen

In the morning, in a hurry to have breakfast and remember the packed lunches, people can leave fridge doors ajar, which represents a great loss of energy and could endanger more sensitive foods inside. Plus, if you’re short on time, you may have forgotten your meal in the fridge, so it’s always a good idea to check the cooler quickly.

Additionally, after breakfast, someone may have left the oven, toaster, or fryer on, which is another fire hazard. If there is not much coffee left in the coffee maker, it is a good idea to turn it off to prevent the coffee from burning. Do a general check of your kitchen appliances to make sure they are turned off safely. More advanced devices often have automatic shutoffs, which cut off power after a set amount of time.

6. Close the garage door

Although closing the garage door is usually a reflex, it also means it’s difficult to notice an oversight. An open garage is one of the most inviting signs for burglars and also welcomes dust, animals and other problems. One of the easiest ways to maintain garage doors is to use a smart garage door controller with automatic settings and reminders. A number of smart home cameras can also be installed in the garage to give you personalized alerts if the door is left open.

If you’re worried about someone forcing even a closed garage door open, you can look for features that automatically locking a garage door when it closes and other interesting security tips.

7. Arm the security system

If you use a home security systemyou have to arm it when you go out. This isn’t always easy to remember, especially if “going out” involves multiple trips or babysitting.

Our preferred solution is to use a phone or key fob that has geofencing or similar features that will automatically arm/disarm the system when you move a certain distance away. Most modern security systems have this ability. You can also set security systems to arm automatically at certain times, but this is a riskier option late in the morning.

While you’re developing these important morning habits, you might want to check out our stories about the best ways to deter thieves and the Common Home Security Mistakes. If you have further questions, visit our home safety cheat sheet to find all our best guides.