Most burglars won’t just rob any old house. They carefully select their targets based on whether there are likely to be valuables inside, how easy they are to break into and how unlikely they are to get caught.
Without knowing, many of us advertise our home to burglars. By understanding what burglars look for, you can take measures to prevent your home being targeted. Below are just some of the ways you could be advertising your home to burglars.
Not fixing visibly damaged windows and doors
Burglars will either break in through the windows or doors. If a window is smashed in or a door is hanging off its hinges, it’s going to make it very easy for a burglar to gain access. This is why it’s important to repair any visible damage to exterior windows and doors as soon as possible.
Don’t forget the garage door too! 1 in 10 burglaries are the result of a burglar gaining access through a garage door that’s broken or unlocked. Look into services that provide fast garage door repair if your garage door no longer closes or locks properly.
Not installing any exterior lights
Because burglars don’t want to be caught in the act, they tend to target properties that have no exterior lighting. They can then use the shadows to hide them as they break into a window or door. Installing a motion-sensing light outside your home will likely put off burglars and won’t use as much energy as a permanent light (plus it could have the added benefit of boosting curb appeal)
It’s worth noting that leaving an interior light on while you are out can also put off burglars, as they may assume that there is someone still in the property. This will add to your energy bill though so may not be ideal for long periods when your property is vacant.
Leaving the curtains wide open on a busy street
Burglars often go window shopping before breaking into a property. Leaving your curtains wide open when living on a busy street will allow thieves to peek inside and check out what valuables you own.
Keeping curtains closed will ward off burglars, but it does mean that you won’t get any light into your property. A happy medium solution is to install blinds, net curtains, voile curtains or shutters. These allow light to still pour in while distorting the view into your home.
Placing the spare key under the doormat
Most burglars break in through the front door and a surprising number of burglars don’t even have to force the door open – they simply use the spare key. One of the most obvious places to put a spare key is under the doormat. Avoid placing your spare key here as it will be the first place that burglars look.
Where should you put your spare key? Installing a key safe that can only be accessed with a code is the best option. Alternatively, you can leave your spare key with a neighbor who is regularly in. This post lists some more potential spare key hiding places.
Leaving the cardboard packaging for your new TV outside
You’ve just bought a new fancy TV and set it up. What should you do with the cardboard packaging? Don’t just leave it outside or sticking out of your outside bin. This will notify burglars in the area that you possess something worth stealing.
Dismantle cardboard containers for any valuables you buy and stuff the bits of cardboard in the bin where they can’t be seen. Don’t attempt to show off your valuables – you’ll attract the wrong attention.
Letting mail pile up while you’re away
A visibly overstuffed mailbox is a sign that no-one is home. If you have a letterbox in your front door and you have a glass door, a pile of letters behind the door could also alert burglars that no-one is in. Burglars prefer to break into a property when it’s vacant, and so it’s important to not make this obvious while you’re away from your home.
If you’re on vacation or visiting family/friends for a long period, consider asking a neighbor to come around and collect your mail for you. This will make it less obvious that no-one is in.
Accepting strange friend requests and oversharing on Facebook
A lot of burglars have started using Facebook to select targets. They create fake accounts (either of a complete stranger or a clone account of someone you may know). They then send friend requests to people. Many people accept these friend requests. This allows burglars to then pry on potential targets. Sharing your address, photos of your home and vacation snaps/posts about being on vacation could give a burglar all the information they need to plan a break-in.
To prevent this from happening, never accept friend requests from people you don’t know, and be wary of people you do know sending requests from second accounts. To be extra safe, avoid sharing too much information about your life – never reveal your address online and post about vacations after you’ve returned home.