Prevent a Break-in With Tips From Ex-Burglars

No matter how safe you think your neighborhood is, remember: criminals are everywhere. A U.S. home is burglarized every 14.6 seconds, according to FBI statistics. In order to safeguard your home and family from burglary, follow these tips from ex-burglars who share some of their tricks of the trade:

Don’t Leave Pricey Items Outside

Is your front porch decorated to the nines, ready to entertain afternoon guests? Reformed career criminal Kenneth Fields told news station KXAN Texas that he used to look for homes with nice outdoor furniture, fancy flower pots and elaborate wreaths on the front door. All are signs that the home owner probably has valuables inside their home.

Is your front lawn scattered with your kids’ toys? To burglars, this indicates you may have game systems and other entertainment devices inside. It also relays the message that you are careless with your stuff, which could mean you left a door or window unlocked when you left.

To remedy the problem, view your home as a burglar would. Get rid of any boxes from expensive electronics left by your trash bin. Make sure your little ones clean up their outdoor toys and always put them away before you leave the house.

Use Your Alarm

Matt Johnston, one of the ex-burglar hosts of the Discovery Channel reality show “It Takes a Thief,” noted on the show’s website that one of the most common security mistakes is not using your alarm system. Make a habit of switching on your alarm any time you leave home. Or better yet, keep it on always even when you are home. Are you always in a rush and forgetful? Get an alarm that can be remotely activated like the systems from LifeShield.com that can be armed and disarmed via a smartphone app.

Double Check All Locks Before Leaving

In the same interview on Discovery.com, Johnston points out that another common mistake is not locking every door and window in your house. Get in the habit of checking once a day to make sure all doors and windows are locked. Be diligent about locking any door or window as soon as you close it.

For additional protection, add an extra lock to all of the windows in your house. Often standard window locks lack sufficient strength to protect you from a forced entry. Stop by your local hardware store to pick up window locks that are designed to work with your specific type of windows. If windows or sliding doors open side to side, put a small, wooden dowel in the tracks to make opening the window nearly impossible even if the lock is broken.

Make It Look Like You’re Home

Whether you’re on vacation or you need to run to the grocery store, do your best to make it look like you’re at home. Dark, vacant homes are tempting targets for burglars. The Memphis police department recommends putting a few lights on automatic timers, so they shine bright at night when your house would otherwise be dark. Strategically place interior lights on timers to be near street-facing windows so that passersby think you’re home.

If you’re leaving for vacation, arrange to have someone mow your lawn so that it looks like you’re home. Be sure to have a neighbor pick up your mail regularly or have the post office hold it until you return.