You worked hard to make your home look the way you want it and to fill it with all the things that make you happy. The last thing you want to happen is for someone to come in and change that. Burglaries are a problem all over the world.
Thieves watch homes carefully so they can see which one are easy to break into and which ones might require a little more effort. They also watch the people who live in the homes to see when they go to work or go to bed so they can figure out the right time to strike.
It may be impossible to prevent a burglary completely, but there are a few things you can avoid that would make it easy for thieves to break into your home. These things can reduce your chances of being the victim of a burglary.
You may be doing some or all of these things on a regular basis. If so, it’s time to stop. Be more aware of your surrounding and the signals you are sending to thieves who could be lurking in the shadows and waiting for the right time to steal your stuff.
1. Leaving Your Doors Unlocked
Even if you live in a safe neighborhood, you should never leave your doors unlocked. It makes it too easy for thieves to break in and take your things. They don’t even look suspicious because they can just walk right in. It also gives them more time to take whatever they want from your home.
2. Leaving a Window Cracked
You might think that a cracked window is no big deal, but for burglars, it’s an invitation. Sometimes all they need is an opportunity. A cracked window is a weakness and people who are waiting to steal your stuff rely on little things like this to help them decide which homes to target. Close your windows and lock them at all times.
When your backyard is open or connected to a wooded area, it’s easier for thieves to move around and hide. They are more likely to enter your yard, take their time to stake out the place, and when ready to run off with your stuff, they can make a quick getaway. A fence can make a big difference.
4. A Window Unit Air Conditioner
Window air conditioners might seem heavy, but thieves don’t mind removing them to get inside. Once removed, criminals can knock out the glass of the window, leaving a space large enough to enter the home. It’s like providing thieves with a little spot to sneak inside.
5. Leaving Expensive Items in Sight
If people can see that you have nice things, they may be tempted to take them. Don’t leave expensive electronics, bikes, or tools in plain view. Doing that gives burglars something to take without even breaking into your home. It also makes them wonder what else you have inside.
6. Leaving Spare Keys in Obvious Locations
Most people know all the usual places to find a space key. If a burglar wants inside your home and you have left a key under the doormat, chances are the thief will find it and go right in. Get creative with the places where you hide your keys to prevent a burglary.
Most thieves will watch a house before breaking in to learn the resident’s daily routine and schedule. If they notice you are not leaving home, or you keep your blinds shut at all hours, they might consider the coast is clear. Try not to make your routine predictable.
8. Leaving Mail in the Box
Letting your mail pile up in your mailbox tells people that nobody is home. If you are going to be away, have a friend or family member collect your mail to prevent it from accumulating. You could also have your post office hold your mail until you return home.
9. Nice Things in Your Yard
If you have nice things in your yard, chances are you have even nicer items in your home. Avoid showing off the stuff you have. Your neighbors or complete strangers may get curious about what else they can find inside your home. If you have these items outside, take them inside when you aren’t using them.
10. Posting Vacation Photos
It’s fun to post your vacation photos online so that friends and family members can see them, but strangers can sometimes see them too. When people realize you are out of town, they are much more likely to break into your home and take your things. Try not to share photos until you return from your trip.
11. The Street You Live On
Some streets have homes that thieves are more likely to target. Even if you live in a safe neighborhood, thieves could still be watching your every move, waiting for the perfect moment to break into your house. Check crime records before you move into a neighborhood.
12. Leaving Trash Visible
When you get a new TV or laptop, the last thing you want to do is toss the box in the trash. By doing that, you let thieves know that you have something good for them to take. Burn or bag these boxes, making it less obvious that you have expensive items in your home.
13. Forgetting To Lock the Garage
Because most people don’t keep valuables in their garages, they don’t make it a point to lock the door. An unlocked garage door makes it easier for burglars to get inside your home. They can also vandalize your garage or car while looking for something to steal. It’s best to lock your garage like you would your house.
A big doggie door for a large dog provides the perfect opening for a thief. Believe it or not, a lot of burglars have snuck into houses through doggie doors. Make sure your pet door locks, or put something heavy against it when you aren’t home to block intruders.
Burglars can tell if you have been out of the house after a fresh snow. To prevent someone from breaking into your home while you are enjoying a winter break, pay the neighbor boy to shovel your sidewalk and patio. Thieves will think you did it.
Glass doors are easy to shatter, and that means that people can easily get inside your home. Some thieves can even cut through glass to avoid making a loud noise. If you can replace glass doors, do so. Otherwise, invest in a security system to help protect your home.
If you leave your blinds open, people can look inside your home. Thieves can walk right up, determine if the house is empty, and even spot all the things they want to steal. Close your blind anytime you leave to block prying eyes. By slightly opening the blinds, you can let light in, yet prevent outsiders from peering into your home.
18. Failing to Secure Patio Doors
Those little locks on your patio doors don’t always work, even if you use them. The best way to secure sliding patio doors is to put a piece of wood on the track so the door can’t slide open. As someone pulls or pushes the door, it won’t budge.
19. Leaving Your Garage Opener in Your Car
If a thief gets into your car and finds your garage opener, they just got access to your garage and possibly the rest of your home. Try not to leave your remote garage opener in your car. Take it inside with you or keep it in a purse or backpack when you aren’t using it.
20. Leaving Flowers to Wilt
Wilting flowers mean that nobody is home to water them. If you are leaving for a trip, ask someone you trust to care for your plants while you are away. If they are in pots, you can always put them inside or even throw them away so thieves won’t notice them.
Most people mow their yards on a weekly basis. If a lawn isn’t mowed, it means nobody is home to do it. That tells thieves it’s a good time to break into the house and take what they want. Pay someone to mow your yard while you are gone to avoid being burglarized.
A lot of people think that using dimming lights will trick thieves into thinking they are home. While this worked for a while, most thieves have caught onto this trick. Just leave your lights off, turn one on, or put them on a random timer.
Shrubs usually grow fast. Like grass that hasn’t been mowed, overgrown bushes show thieves that nobody is home to do the landscaping. You can always hire a landscaper to care for your shrubs while you are gone. Giving them a good trim yourself before you leave home might be enough to keep them tame until you return.
24. Packages Left Out on the Steps
If you have packages delivered while you aren’t home, it not only tells thieves they can break in, but it also gives them a chance to still the packages. Pick up the packages yourself or arrange to have them delivered on a certain day or at a specific time when you will be there to get them.
25. Leaving Stools in the Backyard
Stools may work well for extra seating, but thieves can also put them up to a window to break into your home. Put stools, chairs, and ladders away, so thieves don’t get any ideas or have easy access to your house.
Playing music is another old trick that is now a dead giveaway that says nobody is home. Most people don’t listen to the radio all day and night. If a thief is lurking around your house and notices the radio on at all hours, he will probably assume it’s a trick and figure out that nobody is home.
27. Leaving Keys Next To the Door
When you leave your keys inside but next to the door, it makes it easy for a thief to break a window or even jam open the door enough to reach inside and grab them. Make sure you store your keys several feet away from your door to prevent thieves from getting them.
28. Having Neighbors Over
When you invite people into your home, they see all the things you have. While you may trust your friends and neighbors, they may know someone dishonest and accidentally let slip that you have a giant television and don’t lock your back door during the day. That’s the perfect way for a thief to make a clean getaway.
If you leave tools outside, a thief could steal them or use them to break into your home. Things like hammers and drills can smash windows or take off door knobs. Lock your tools up to deter a break-in or at least make the thief bring his own for the job.
As terrible as it might seem, many thieves read obituaries so they can learn the dates and times of funerals. Once they know a homeowner has passed away, and that family members will be paying their respects, they break into the home and take what they want. It’s unfortunate, but it happens.
Toys in the yard mean there are kids in the house, which means there are also electronics inside. Something so innocent could be all the motivation a thief needs to break into your home. Have your kids pick up their toys. It will also make your yard look a lot nicer.
Corner homes only have one neighbor, making it easier for thieves to break in and go unseen. While there may be other factors that determine if a thief breaks into a house, corner homes are more likely to be burglarized than those with neighbors on both sides.
When you hire someone to come work on your house, you might not know much about them. They may return to break in or tell someone else about the new laptop they saw you tapping away on through the window. Make sure you only hire people you trust.
34. Not Doing Anything after A Neighbor’s Home Is Burglarized
Thieves often work in neighborhoods. They will go from house to house getting as much as they can. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that just because it happened to someone in your neighborhood your home is safe. Protect your home and stay alert. Your house could be next on the list.
If you have pets that you normally let outside often, tie up, or leave in kennels, but you board them when you go out of town, this could tell thieves that you aren’t home. Since most dogs bark at strangers and can scare away burglars, this makes it much easier for them to break into your house.
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You worked hard to make your home look the way you want it and to fill it with all the things that make you happy. The last thing you want to happen is for someone to come in and change that. Burglaries are a problem all over the world.
Thieves watch homes carefully so they can see which one are easy to break into and which ones might require a little more effort. They also watch the people who live in the homes to see when they go to work or go to bed so they can figure out the right time to strike.
It may be impossible to prevent a burglary completely, but there are a few things you can avoid that would make it easy for thieves to break into your home. These things can reduce your chances of being the victim of a burglary.
You may be doing some or all of these things on a regular basis. If so, it’s time to stop. Be more aware of your surrounding and the signals you are sending to thieves who could be lurking in the shadows and waiting for the right time to steal your stuff.
