5 Things You Unknowingly Do That Welcome a Burglar
You might be surprised what burglars look for when they’re casing your home for a break-in. In fact, like many of us, you’re probably doing things every day that unknowingly make your house an easy target.
We’ve paired research with real-life experience to give you practical advice to deter burglars. And some good news: most of the solutions don’t cost a dime.
5 things you unknowingly do that welcome a burglar
Video: What To Do After a Home Burglary | How To Recover From a Break-In
Subscribe to our YouTube channel and learn how to protect your home, loved ones, and belongings.
1. An unlocked front door
Over one-third of burglars enter the house through the front door.1 After knocking to confirm no one is home, they’ll test the door to see if it’s unlocked. An alarming number of times, they’ll discover they’ve hit the jackpot and walk right in.
Keep your doors locked, even if you’re just running the kids to school, walking the dog, or lounging in the backyard.
2. Your predictable schedule
Amazon.com price as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Read full disclaimer.
What burglars look for is the perfect moment to strike. If you have regular windows in your schedule like driving the kids to school or leaving for work, be aware that burglars might notice these patterns.
When at all possible, vary your schedule. When that’s not possible, keep a television or radio on or use smart plugs to turn lights on and off. In either case, lock your home and be sure your home security system is activated.
3. A cluttered curb
Trash cans, recycling bins, newspapers, or an overgrown lawn are just a few things a burglar might look for when identifying their next target. When the vacation of your dreams is on your mind, it’s easy to forget about these small details. Hire a neighborhood teen to take in the trash or ask a trusted neighbor to pick up the newspaper.
4. No security system
If you have a home security system, activate the alarm each and every time you leave your home. If you don’t have a home security system, now is the time to get one. Our review of the best home security systems is a great place to start.
5. Leaving second-floor windows open or unlocked
Amazon.com price as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Read full disclaimer.
Don’t be fooled; the second floor of your home isn’t burglar proof. The ladder you left out last weekend could be used to access your home’s second-floor windows with ease.
Keep all windows closed and locked, and be sure they’re outfitted with window alarm sensors. Should a burglar attempt to enter, you’ll know right away. Don’t overlook securing small windows, like those commonly found in basements and bathrooms.
Couple our list of what burglars look for with a professional home security system and you’ll be well on your way to helping create a safe, secure place where your family can feel at ease.
Related articles on SafeWise
Sources
- FBI, Uniform Crime Reporting, “Crime in the United States 2019, Burglary.” Accessed April 5, 2022.
Disclaimers
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Safewise.com utilizes paid Amazon links.
Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon. This content is provided “as is” and is subject to change or removal at any time.
Recent Articles
The post 5 Things You Unknowingly Do That Welcome a Burglar appeared first on SafeWise.
Article source here: 5 Things You Unknowingly Do That Welcome a Burglar
No comments:
Post a Comment