From The Source
Home security companies will have plenty of advice on how to keep a home safe, but it’s the burglars you really should listen to.
It’s their job to outsmart the commercial pros after all. There’s also one sure-fire trick that every thief agrees would keep them a million miles away from a house.
Think Like A Thief
The first step is to “think like them” – so, imagine your keys are lost and there are only five minutes to get inside without anyone hearing.
From there, it’s easy to identify weak points and figure out how to deal with them. Hint, garage doors, windows, as well as side and back doors are prime real estate for B&E.
Hang A Flag
One long-time criminal said the “firearm owner” stickers did nothing to deter him.
Chances are it’s someone who doesn’t know how to use one. Also, this kind of hardware can sell for a lot, so it’s tempting. But seeing a proudly-displayed American flag makes them think the person inside loves their artillery and knows how to use it.
Decoy Safe
Burglars love safes … love them! If it’s small and not bolted to anything, they will just pick it up and carry it away to open later.
Have a cheap safe somewhere that’s easy to see and fill it with fake jewelry or small amounts of money or old electronics etc. They won’t bother to look for other things.
Fake “Stuff”
One seasoned professional suggested having vertical blinds and keeping them opened at a “certain angle”.
This is so you can “stage” part of a room. Buy a cheap, old television and place your cheaper furniture around it. So when the thief looks in, they see there’s nothing valuable. The idea is to make other targets look better.
Doo-Dads
Sliding doors, windows, and slide locks are rubbish. But there are cheap pieces of hardware to make them more secure.
One example is a door blocker so people can’t kick the door down. Another affordable fix is a deadbolt. Bonus – if there are two locks on your door, lock them both! They are there for a reason.
Timers
Connect a light source to an automatic timer. However, make sure it’s something that can’t be seen from an accessible window – otherwise, bad guys can see that there’s no human turning it on.
Radios, televisions, and floodlights can also be set on timers. Brightness and sound will go a long way.
Shrubbery
Keep tall tress cut back so no one can access upper windows (that people usually don’t lock).
Keep lower shrubs trimmed so no one can hide in them. If a homeowner wants to add an extra flex, have the bushes be the thorny kind that will hurt like heck when people try to walk through them.
Associations
More than one burglar has revealed that any neighborhood with an active safety association will get a hard pass.
If people know their neighbors and take part in evening safety walks, then the thief will immediately drive on and look for easier targets. Don't have a safety committee? Start one!
Four-Legged Friend
No matter how long they’ve been in the game, every single burglar will pass on a house with a medium to large dog (the bigger the better).
It’s not just the noise that alerts family and neighbors, but it’s the chance of getting injured. Dogs are the best security and something burglars keep themselves to protect their own homes.
Car Lights
Aside from not leaving a garage door opener in the car, and always making sure the doors are locked, there’s a 3-dollar cheat that works great.
Get a small, blinking LED light so it looks like there’s an alarm on the car. Blue is apparently the best because it looks “expensive”.
Social Media
Do not post your holiday photos until you are back home again! Advertising a Venice vacation is like screaming at the top of your lungs that the house is empty and ready to be rummaged through.
If there are people you don’t know in your home (workers or party-goers) don’t write revealing information on the fridge calendar either.
Boot Trick
An interesting hack from one old-timer involved setting a pair of boots outside the front door.
Make sure they are a large size and quite dirty looking – like caked in fresh mud. This tells outside eyes that someone huge and hardworking lives inside. Night-lurkers won’t want to take the chance.
Longer Screws
If the lock system comes with screws that are 1-inch long or shorter, do not use them.
This is because the door can still be kicked in. Instead, get some screws that are at least 2-inches long and can go right into the door frame. It makes the term “safe as houses” a reality.
Alarm Sign
Don’t bother with the brand signs (because there are literally forums for thieves to share how to get past them).
Just have a sticker that says the house is protected. Maybe add a fake camera above the door. Remember, the more obstacles you throw in the way, the less likely they will want to try – because it’s all about speed.