Are you a Prime Target for Burglars?
May 30, 2008 
2 Comments
I was looking for information that a real estate agent would need in order to help them help their seller’s keep their home safe while on the market. I came across this article and decided to put it on my blog, since there was so much good information for sellers and for homeowners. We all need to pay a little more attention to the safety and security our own homes.
Courtesy of Get Rich Slowly
“7 Mistakes That Make Homeowners Prime Targets for Burglars”.
- Leaving the burglar alarm off when you’re running out for a few minutes. Nearly all the houses we robbed had expensive alarm systems — and more than half the time, the alarms weren’t turned on! Sophisticated burglars watch neighborhoods and learn when residents go to work or run errands, and how long they are likely to be away. They’re ready to move the minute you leave.
- Posting detailed alarm signs. When you post a sign that identifies the alarm company, you’ve just give the burglar the information he needs to disable the alarm. It’s better to buy a generic sign from a home-supply store.
- Hiding valuables in the bedroom. It’s the first place burglars look. We used to spend 15 minutes or less in each house that we robbed. More than half that time was spent in the bedroom, checking the usual hiding places. Hide valuables where burglars won’t think to look. Don’t hide all your valuables in one place.
- Getting a big dog. A 100-pound Rottweiler or German shepherd might look scary, but burglars know better. What you want are “yappers”, small dogs that make a lot of noise.
- Hiding windows with landscaping. Tall bushes and shrubs allow burglars to jimmy windows without being seen. Also, don’t count on thorny plants to prevent entry. Professional thieves wear heavy clothes and carry tools to remove obstacles.
- Leaving the lights on. A light that stays on all the time is no more of a deterrent than a dark house. In fact, it helps burglars see better once they’re inside. Use timers.
- Having newspaper and mail delivery stopped when you go away. You may trust your mailman and newspaper carrier, but the fact is that you never know who else is getting that information. We used to get tips all the time about homeowners going on vacation. Keep your plans quiet.
- Keep doors and windows securely locked.
- Brace sliding glass doors.
- Lock the door to an attached garage.
- User timers to create the illusion that you are home.
- Keep the exterior of your home well-lit.
- Never leave clues that you are away.
- Never leave a message on your voicemail saying that you are away.
- Keep shrubbery trimmed away from entrances and walkways.
One tip I’d add is: Organize a neighborhood watch. One of the best burglary prevention tools is a friendly, active neighborhood. People are more inclined to watch out for you and your interests if you have a relationship with them. At our old house, we barely knew our neighbors. Our new neighborhood is friendly and supportive — we help each other in many ways, one of which is to keep a watchful eye.
Enhancing the security of your residence is much easier that you think. Keep in mind that the time you spend now may save you thousands of dollars in the long run. Click here for alarm security information ADT
Best to the safety of you, your family and your home!
Beth-I disagree with #3 and #4. As a security consultant for ADT Security for 20 years I always recognized who had security and who didn’t by the signs. And the #1 sign was ADT. Most burglars are not professional and don’t want to get caught. They tend to go to an easier home..with no alarm, no noise, no alerting the police. Sure if the burglar knows what’s inside the home, feels it’s worth the effort, and he thinks he can disarm the system before someone is notified – he’s going to do it. But make it as difficult as possible for him. In fact, as you set up your security system, think like a burglar as you design your protection. And the big dog! An ADT System (or other reputatable ones) and a big dog will surely scare even the Pro burglar!!
Check out http://www.homesecurity911.com
Beth! Great advice on creating a home inventory. I am glad you threw that in, because I’ve talked to several people now who have been burglarized and unprepared for the loss. Their experience was that they couldn’t remember everything that was in their jewelry case, therefore they never received the full replacement amount they could have from the insurance company. Albeit, after we talked more, they realized they would have had trouble coming up with proof that they had owned the pieces, and they probably weren’t properly insured in the first place. They didn’t understand or pay attention to the jewelry limit that is on most policies.
We’re one solution to get prepared and to keep the information secure and safe away from the home, online at http://www.anywherevault.com. Thank you for the great advice!