The whole point of home security is to keep an eye on your property and to protect your loved ones, right? Of course, we firmly believe in the notion that everyone should have access to home security in order to bring themselves peace of mind. But, there are other measures you can take to help yourself avoid being the target of a burglary.
Tips for Outsmarting Burglars:
Avoid built-up mail.
One of the telltale signs that a person is away from his/her home for an extended period is built-up mail. If your mail box is full for more than a day, you could be a prime target for those on the prowl for an empty house. If you are on vacation, arrange for someone to pick up your mail and newspapers. Or, call your local post office to have your mail held until you return.
Eliminate hiding spots in your yard.
You’ll want to keep a generally unhindered line of site to your yard, both from your house and from your neighbors’ perspectives. Landscaping is usually the issue here, with tall bushes being the perfect hiding spot for burglars. Low profile shrubbery or flowers in your planters will keep your yard looking good while eliminating the possibility of any bad guys lurking on your property.
Don’t leave toys lying in the yard.
We know kids can be messy. There’s no doubt that they forget to clean up after playing out front. That said, if a potential perpetrator sees toys strewn across the lawn, it can tell them 2 things – you have the extra money to spend on toys (hinting toward the potential for high-value items in the house), and you are too busy to clean them up (meaning you are probably at work for most of the day).
Be careful what you put in the trash.
Just picked up a giant new 4K HD smart TV? If you put the box out with the trash and it’s sticking out of the trashcan, or worse, you just put it out on the curb, you could be making yourself an ideal target for burglars on the prowl. Do yourself a favor and break down boxes of bigger purchases, so you’re not providing curbside advertising of what’s in your house.
If you’re wondering how to know if you’re being targeted, we have some tips for you, too:
Odd vehicles/out-of-place people.
If you start seeing people that look out of place or that you don’t recognize on your street, then you may want to take note. Pay attention to people’s behavior and note when someone is acting unusual. If you see a person who seems out of place more than once, you should consider that a red flag.
Request to enter your home or handy work offer.
There are helpful people out there in the world, but they shouldn’t be calling upon you; you should be calling upon them. If anyone asks permission to enter your home and you didn’t call for their help or company, consider that a huge sign of potential crime. Burglars will do just about anything to gain access to your property and get an idea of the layout and what kind of belongings you have.
Markings/oddly placed objects.
Many burglars are highly methodical about their work. They case a house several days or even weeks before the actual break-in. They will often leave small objects slightly out of place to see if anyone picks them up or puts them back in the right place. They use this to gauge if anyone’s home. Also, take note of any unexpected markings on or around your house. They use these to remember which houses are good targets. Even if they are slight markings, if you can’t account for them, pay attention and keep a watchful eye!
Wondering what are some hot-ticket items that burglars are looking for? Let us help:
- Items with personal information such as identity, social security or finances. Identity theft is a huge issue! Be careful with the types of documents and mail you leave lying around. Invest in a shredder!
- This seems pretty obvious, but some people do like storing cash in the house. We suggest avoiding usual hiding places like under mattresses or in air vents where burglars might check first. Think about using a safe. Though, it may be a better idea to avoid hoarding a large amount of cash altogether.
- This is probably the first thing that comes to mind when anyone talks about a home break in. Yet, many people think, “That will never happen to me,” and store their jewelry in accessible drawers. This makes for an easy target.
- Just like at stores, any type of alcohol is a target for those looking to steal. Lock the liquor cabinet!
- Burglars are always looking for easy access to guns. They can sell them, or worse, use them. Store your firearms in a gun safe for the safety of you and your loved ones!
- Valuables in your car. Don’t leave valuable items in your car, especially if you park outside. Thieves are willing to get bold and walk right up your driveway to check out what’s in your car. Don’t leave visible items in there and make sure to lock your car! Wonder what could happen if you don’t follow this advice? Check out our latest Caught on LaView submission here.