Home is where the heart is, and it’s also a place of safety and security. Unfortunately, burglars don’t care about that. They know how to spot an easy target—and your home could become one if you’re not careful.
To make sure your home remains secure, it’s important to be aware of the telltale signs that may indicate you are at risk for a burglary. From leaving doors unlocked to neglecting outdoor maintenance, we do many things every day without thinking twice that can leave our homes vulnerable to thieves.
We will discuss 20 common mistakes people commit that make their homes an easy target for robbery – so keep reading if you want tips on how to protect yourself from becoming a victim of crime!
Posting Pictures of Your Keys Online
Okay, folks, let’s talk about something important #KeysOnSocialMedia. It might seem like a harmless post showing everyone your sleek apartment or vintage car keys, but it’s a huge no-no! Posting pictures of your keys online is like asking a stranger to break into your house or your car.
It’s an invitation for trouble! With this image, a potential burglar knows exactly what kind of lock they might need to pick or what car they can easily access. And that’s not all; with a simple zoom or screenshot, your keys’ unique patterns could be duplicated and used against you! So, if you want to save yourself from any future headaches, avoid posting pictures of your keys online, and keep them secure!
Leaving Trash Visible in Garbage Cans
Leaving the packaging of your new 60-inch HDTV or high-end gaming console outside on the curb reveals that you possess these valuable items at home.
Since burglars typically target electronics as their second priority (with cash being the first), this makes your home an appealing prospect.
Sometimes Just Living on Your Street
Houses located in prominent locations, such as corner lots, have a significantly lower risk of being targeted by burglars due to increased visibility. The numerous possible vantage points make it challenging for intruders to go unnoticed.
On the other hand, townhomes, houses situated in the middle of a block, or those in a cul-de-sac are more appealing targets. This is particularly true when the property borders a forest, open lot, or unguarded area, providing potential burglars with additional cover and escape routes.
Posting Vacation Pics
We all love to share our adventures with friends and family, but it’s important to remember that when you post pictures from your trip, you’re potentially giving away information about your home.
Burglars may be able to use this information to identify the exact times when you won’t be home, leaving your house vulnerable. When posting vacation photos, consider limiting the amount of detail you provide so burglars don’t know exactly when you’ll be away from home.
Mailbox
A burglar can easily take the mail from your mailbox, which often contains important documents such as bills, bank statements, and other personal information that could be used to break into your home or steal your identity.
It’s essential to keep your mailbox locked at all times and ensure you don’t store any important documents.
Your Yard Gives a Lot of Clues
Your yard gives a lot of clues about your lifestyle and habits. Burglars often scout out homes in advance to determine the best time to strike, so leaving your lawn mowed, having outdoor furniture in view, or leaving wheelbarrows and other tools out in the open can give away important information.
Make sure to hide any evidence of expensive items and secure your home with locks, lights, alarms, and cameras to keep burglars away.
Letting Newspapers and Flyers Build Up
Burglars are always on the lookout for signs that no one is home, and having weeks’ worth of newspapers and flyers in the driveway or at your front door is a telltale sign that you’re away from your house.
Keeping up with regular mail pick-up and cleaning up after yourself can help prevent burglars from seeing this as an opportunity to break in.
Not Locking the Door
One of the most common mistakes homeowners make is not locking their doors. Leaving a door unlocked can give burglars easy access to your home, making it an easy target for robbery. To protect against this, always check that all doors and windows are properly locked before leaving home or going to bed.
Locking your door is also important when you’re at home; if someone knocks on your door, don’t open it unless you know who it is and why they are there. Taking these precautions will help keep your home safe from intruders.
Leaving a Window Cracked
One of the most common ways homeowners make their homes vulnerable to robbery is by leaving a window cracked open. Burglars understand that this provides an easy entry point into your home and often target homes with windows or doors left unlocked or slightly opened.
To protect your home from potential break-ins, double-check that all windows and doors are securely shut and locked before leaving your property.
Having a Wide Open Backyard
Burglars tend to target homes with wide-open backyards that are easy to access, as they provide them the opportunity to enter and exit unnoticed.
Make sure you secure your backyard by installing motion-sensor lights, secure fences or walls, and locks on all doors and windows. Taking these measures will make it much more difficult for burglars to target your home.
Keeping a Window A/C Unit
Make sure that all windows with air conditioners are locked and secured, as these can easily be used as an entry point for intruders.
Additionally, you should check the sealant around the unit to make sure it’s not cracked or loose, and consider investing in a security bar that runs along the bottom of the unit for added protection.
Leaving Expensive Stuff in Sight
Leaving expensive items in plain view is one of the most common mistakes that homeowners make when it comes to making their homes a target for robbery.
Burglars are always looking out for any signs of potential easy targets, so leaving expensive items like jewelry boxes or laptops on display is a surefire way to draw unwanted attention. To avoid this situation, keep valuable and valuable-looking items out of sight or safely stored away.
Forgetting to Lock the Garage Door
One of the most common mistakes homeowners make when it comes to home security is forgetting to lock the garage door. This may seem like an insignificant slip-up, but burglars are always on the lookout for easy targets, and leaving your garage door unlocked is an invitation for them to enter your home.
Not only does this give them access to whatever valuables you may have stored away in the garage, but it also provides them with a convenient entry point into your home itself that bypasses any locks or alarms you may have installed on your front or back doors. Make sure you always check that the garage door is locked before leaving the house.
Leaving Spare Keys in Obvious Places
Burglars know that many people leave spare house keys in easy-to-find places like under the doormat, on top of door frames, or inside flower pots.
Leaving keys in these locations can make it easier for burglars to gain access to your home, as they know exactly where to look. It’s important to store your spare key in an inconspicuous location that only you and your family members know about.
Forgetting to Keep Up With Appearances
Burglars look for signs of neglect, like an overgrown lawn or broken windows, as signs that no one is living or taking care of the house. Keeping up with your home’s appearance can help make burglars think twice about targeting your property.
Additionally, making sure your home looks lived-in even when you are away by having lights on timers and leaving cars in the driveway can also be useful deterrents.
Leaving an Opening Through the Dog Door
Leaving an opening through the dog door is another way you’re making your home an easy target for robbery. Burglars are well aware that many people leave their dog doors open, giving them easy access to your house.
Not only does this provide a vulnerable entry point for them, but it also puts your pets in danger. To prevent any potential robberies, make sure to keep the dog door closed when you’re not at home or when your pet isn’t outside.
Leaving Fresh Snow
Fresh snow on the ground is like a beacon to criminals who are looking for an easy target. Not only does it make footprints easier to track, but if you haven’t shoveled, it can also provide cover, which makes it harder for passersby and neighbors to spot suspicious activity.
Make sure to keep your home safe by maintaining clean and clear walkways and pathways leading up to your house.
Glass Doors are Thieves’ Best Friends
They provide an easy and quick way to access a home, as they can be easily broken and don’t make any noise when the thief enters.
Furthermore, many burglars take advantage of the fact that people often forget to lock their glass doors, providing them with easy entry into a home. Therefore, it is important to ensure that all glass doors are always locked in order to prevent break-ins.
Close Your Blinds
Close your blinds when you’re away from home or at night. Burglars often use windows as an entry point, so keeping the blinds closed can help prevent them from getting a good look inside your home.
It also helps to keep any valuable items out of sight to further discourage burglars from attempting a break-in.
Having Neighbors Over and Neighbors’ Friends
Information about the possessions in a house can spread rapidly. While it may not be the people who have been inside the house who are burglars, the knowledge could reach someone who is in need of immediate money.
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