Former Burglars Reveal Their Deepest Secrets To Help Homeowners Avoid Break-Ins
Who Needs Lock Boxes?
Lock boxes are tiny boxes attached near door knobs or the outside wall used to store keys in houses or Airbnb accommodations. The contraption requires the correct code to open, and most often, the host provides the password to the guests.
However, this former burglar claimed that these things are easily opened. So plan accordingly; it is better safe than sorry. Have the keys duplicated and distributed to other members of the family instead of leaving one outside the house.
Vacation Only To Get Robbed
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employees who have been serving for less than ten years are entitled to between ten and 14 days of paid vacation per year. As such, Americans save up and prepare in advance before the big day comes.
And while they are itching to get out of the office and on to scenic places, it is worth noting that this can also be a time when burglars lurk around. The best trick is to not update social media followers while away from home.
Keep Valuable Items In Unsuspecting Spots
Burglars will no doubt go first to vaults, cabinets, and safes because it is the most logical thing to do. Anyone in their right mind would know that these spots are where valuables are kept, but don’t these things only make the hiding spaces more obvious?
This person thought of a better way to hide valuables from a burglar’s plain sight: underneath a mountain of clothes. Of course, no one would suspect a thing but the longer a laundry sits unwashed, the more it becomes a breeding ground for germs.
Just Don’t Overshare
How many times did our parents tell us never to talk to strangers? We feel that this was just a lesson that should have been inculcated in our minds since we were young, but this tip proves that some people can be too comfortable with people they don’t know.
While agents are tasked with knocking on a lot of doors, experts warn us to be always on our guard when letting people inside the house. Hence, it is crucial to verify their identity first by asking for their company ID or calling the company.
No Dog But Still, Beware!
While all dogs are great companions for life, others are more equipped in guarding not just the master but the property as well. According to the American Kennel Club, this type of canine is loyal, watchful, and courageous enough to bark at a stranger.
However, not all people are responsible enough to have a pet dog. Nonetheless, having a “Beware” sign will tell a burglar that stealing from this house is not going to be a walk in the park because of the canine.
Fool Them Once Shame On Them…
The tradition of leaving the key under the mat may sound ridiculous but a lot of people still do it. A 2011 Ask Jeeves survey found that one percent practice this habit for their relatives, family, and servicemen who will need access to the house.
And while a lot of people have become smart enough not to do this, desperate burglars will certainly take a look in that spot. Fool them by gluing a spare key that doesn’t open anything and let them try it on the door.
Free Cars For Everyone!
How many times have you forgotten your car keys inside the house? Perhaps this is why most homeowners love hanging their keys beside the door because this way, it’s become impossible to leave them behind.
According to MoneyGeek, nearly 2,400 vehicles are stolen every day, which amounts to an estimated 873,000 cars a year! This is why it pays to be smart and think ahead of the bad guys, and this simple trick can help save thousands of dollars!
Cars Are Not Houses
According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, car theft occurs every 6.5 minutes in cases where the driver left the keys inside the vehicle. This is actually unsurprising, considering most of us have become forgetful although not many of us want to admit this.
More disturbingly, many drivers leave their cars unlocked, which becomes an easy target for thieves. As such, the NICB urges owners to set the alarm and, as much as possible, park the vehicle inside the garage.
Don’t Be Predictable
According to Scotsman, one in five homes become vulnerable to burglary only because owners still follow the tradition of leaving their keys under the mat, plant pot, or on top of the door frame. While this allows others access to the house, it is not worth risking.
A Yale survey found that the majority of the respondents didn’t feel that their abodes were safe if they left the keys near the door. So there is no reason to do this; and the best solution may be to install security doorbell cameras.
Unlocked Windows = Better Opportunity
Just like unlocked doors, windows are great opportunities for thieves to break in. Take it from this ex-burglar, who went inside schools without a hard time. Needless to say, owners should make sure to lock their windows before leaving or change the mechanism of the locks.
Reader’s Digest notes that 23 percent of burglaries happen because thieves enter first-floor windows. It added that bad guys need not be experts in breaking in because homeowners give them the opportunity to commit the crime.
Don’t Leave Valuables In The Car
It is a common misconception that crows steal things that shine but Animal Fate clarified that the birds don’t actually like them. On the other hand, thieves become attracted to expensive stuff, so as a precaution, don’t let other people see precious belongings.
Especially if the vehicle is not tinted, thieves can easily spot precious items like laptops, cell phones, or jewelry. With this post, we can already tell that we have to be wary of people of all ages and from different walks of life.
Keep The Sparkly Stuff Hidden
In January 2022, “Full House” actress Lori Loughlin became a victim of a burglary, where she lost $1 million in jewelry. The bad guys targeted her Los Angeles home, and it is safe to say that they probably headed to her closet where she probably stored her valuables.
It is logical to keep accessories and jewelry in the closet because it will be easier to find the things that could match an outfit. However, for assurance, it may be wise to store them away from this nook.
Garage Stuff Are Not For Free
Don’t be complacent even if you live in a friendly neighborhood. An open garage, either for accessibility purposes or due to forgetfulness, presents a great chance for thieves to enter and basically get all the things they can.
On top of keeping the garage locked, SafeWise advises adding bright lights with motion detectors to keep the burglars aware that the owners are not playing when it comes to home security. An open overhead garage door is also a very tempting invitation so keep it closed all the time.
Trick The Thieves With Faux Jewelry
Again, safes are very hot in the eyes of burglars so much so that some of them leave everything behind just to take one home. CSP Alarms notes that these steel boxes are so heavy that it may require around two or more people to carry one.
Forging a fingerprint is not a doable task so most thieves steal the entire thing. One trick is to keep fancy faux accessories inside the safe so that burglars would find themselves being laughed at when they try to sell the pieces!
Going Smart Is The Way To Go
We live in the digital age where it is easier to have access to high-tech gadgets that could help us avoid break-ins. Instead of taking chances, invest in smart lighting systems that can be manipulated through a smartphone or laptop.
According to Philips Hue US, these LED bulbs have software that can be connected to an app or a smart home assistant. So during vacations, leave lights open at different times to give off the illusion that somebody is home.
Keep TVs Mounted
Mounting televisions have a lot of advantages. The Home Theater DIY said that the reason this has gained popularity these days is that it keeps a place tidy, organized, and spacious, which is perfect in narrow rooms.
They are also more affordable, but more importantly, it is harder to remove. Thieves would have to find a screwdriver to remove the TV from the mount or else they would have to jack the appliance out, which could destroy the device.
Mean Machines
Losing a loved one is a tough pill to swallow. Help Guide notes that the death of a close person means going through grief and mourning, but, unfortunately, advantage-takers still see this as a time to do bad things.
Even during funerals, burglars still take this time to break into houses because most people are out of their houses. During this time of vulnerability, no one would think about their belongings but to lessen the heartbreak, ask a trusted friend to stay around.
Burglars Don’t Have All Day
The Federal Bureau of Investigation explains that on average, burglars only take eight to ten minutes to ransack a place for anything valuable. Sometimes, they only do their jobs in 90 seconds, which means they don’t have all day to scour the place!
In hindsight, this is also advantageous on a homeowner’s side because owners would only need to hide their precious properties in places that may require a long time to find. The trick is to find a spot that is inconspicuous.
A Somewhat Kind Burglar?
Thieves have become so creative in their tactics that we may never know when we are going to get robbed. However, this tip showed us that they can become generous in going to great lengths to steal pricey things.
Well, thinking about barbecue makes us feel hungry! It is believed that it was in 1733 when the word “barbecue” was first mentioned in the United States. A certain Benjamin Lynde of Salem wrote about his “fair and hot” meal in his diary.
Who Needs Lock Boxes?
Lock boxes are tiny boxes attached near door knobs or the outside wall used to store keys in houses or Airbnb accommodations. The contraption requires the correct code to open, and most often, the host provides the password to the guests.
However, this former burglar claimed that these things are easily opened. So plan accordingly; it is better safe than sorry. Have the keys duplicated and distributed to other members of the family instead of leaving one outside the house.
Not Everyone Wants Jewelry
Not everyone can cope with the skyrocketing prices of medicine. Reuters reported that at least 350 manufacturers planned to increase the prices of their products in 2023, which, of course, would affect consumers the most.
As such, we can’t blame this burglar for going after the medicine cabinet. But again, we will remind the person to resort to other money-making means instead of this habit. Nonetheless, the thief may have also been giving them away to the poor, who knows?
Kids Should Never Have Easy Access To The Door
There are many tricks that can lead a child to open a door to strangers. Abduction prevention officer Bob Stuber told ABC that one of the most common reasons kids do this is because they don’t want to disobey adults, even if they don’t know anything about these strangers.
On top of theft, parents should also be wary of kidnapping incidents. This post goes to show that many moms and dads may be busy enough to let their children answer the door without realizing the dangers of the little ones talking to strangers.
‘Ride By And Snatch’
In 2012, an elderly woman became the victim of a burglary in broad daylight in Houston when her purse was snatched from the front seat of her car as she was trying to unload her cart of grocery bags.
However, the modus “ride by and snatch” involves thieves snatching purses on grocery carts as women unload their items. In this case, the bad guys take advantage of the situation and in this case, it would be difficult for them to chase after the robbers.
Going To School Is Expensive
According to Nerd Wallet, 45 million Americans have outstanding student loans, and if that’s hard to imagine, just think of it this way: one in five still faces this problem. As such, more people try to get creative in making money.
Unfortunately, this college student faced another issue when their books were stolen from his car. More surprisingly, this crime is common–well who would steal reading materials? But then again, they cost an arm and a leg so this was a desperate move.
Outlets As Safes
Roman Electric Home strongly advises not to put a pencil, pen, or finger inside an outlet hole or else you may be shocked. However, fake outlets are a different case because these are made to fool others.
This interesting invention can also be useful to hide away expensive and valuable things such as jewelry. Fake outlets make for great compartments because no one would suspect a thing! But be careful when there are kids around because they may get into an accident.
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