This weekend a great article was written in the N &O concerning tips from a burglar to keep your home Safe. It serves a great reminder for us all:
1-Alarms-
I you have one, USE IT. Amazing how many don’t activate their alarms. Spend the extra money to have window sensors. Many have the sensor only in the door, and that is NOT a deterrent as a burglar can break the window without the alarm going off.
2-Avoid the Appearance you’ve gone away-
Don’t leave the garbage can by the curbside. If you’re going out of town, have your neighbors move it.
Don’t leave the newspapers for more than one day in front of your house. If you are on vacation or migrating to the Caribbean for a few weeks/months, stop delivery.
Move a parked car on a drive way or car port routinely. A dirty car that appears to have been sitting in the same spot for a long time is a good indicator you are away.
3-Lock all doors and windows-
Have strong locks.
French doors are the easiest to break.
4-Windows-
Always close and lock them. Even on the 2nd floor.
Close the blinds or curtains. Make sure people cannot see inside the house. Shear drapes during day let light in, but deflect light so the interior is not visible, but blinds should be closed at night when dark outside and the interior lights are on.
If you don’t want to close the blinds, make sure valuable items are out of view. Don’t have the big plasma TV visible from the outside.
5-Install a camera in unusual places-
Even if a burglar breaks in through the back, he usually walks out the front.
6-Store valuables in unusual places-
Keep valuables, such as jewelry, in places other than the master bedroom. The bathroom or laundry room are good places to hide these items. Burglars tend to start in the master bedroom and walk their way back into the living room, then the front door or driveway.
If there is a room burglars will ransack, it will be the master bedroom; that is where most women keep their jewelry.
7-Avoid blocking your house from public-
If you have trees or big bushes, make sure there are gaps between them.
Don’t build a “wall” of greens.
8-If you have a safe, make sure it’s not easily moved-
A heavy safe or built into the wall is best. Most burglars won’t take the time to try to break into it because there are no guarantees there are any goods inside.
9-Avoid dog doors-
They are the easiest way for a burglar to get inside.
10-Don’t leave ladders in your backyard-
Note: If you live in a house hidden from the main streets, you are more likely to get burglarized. Although many love their privacy, a house that is not visible is the best target.