According to a report by the FBI, about 3,062 burglaries happen in the United States daily. This statistic is quite unsettling because your home should be a safe place for you and your family. Home security and burglary prevention start in oneself, but many unknowingly reveal too much about our home. Such mistakes make us vulnerable to burglaries and other crimes. If you want to protect your home and your loved ones, here are 10 things you should never show people.
1. Details of Your Home Security Setup
Homes that do not have a home security system are 300% likely to get robbed. If you are part of the 25% of American homes fortunate and wise enough to have a home security system, do not make yourself a target by sharing details about your setup. Keep the details within your family circle because the less others know about it, the better your safety net. Do not reveal where your security cameras are, how your home alarm works, and other essentials to anyone. Never share on social media, and educate every family member about it. Do not give burglars the blueprint to do you harm!
2. Expensive Jewelry and Other Valuables
If you love to collect some bling, discretion is advised. While you may take pride in the glitzy fruits of your labor, openly displaying expensive jewelry, luxury watches, and other valuables is like wishing for something bad to happen. Showing these things is giving burglars a shopping list. As part of burglary prevention measures, ensure secure storage for your jewelry and other valuables. If you decide to display some items, make sure they are not near windows or spots that can be easily accessed.
3. Your Stash of Cash
They say cash is king. Indeed it is! Keeping a large amount of cash at home is also one of the home security mistakes you should avoid. While having cash on hand is practical when an emergency arises, storing a hefty sum can make you a target for burglars. These are the things burglars look for since they can easily snatch and get rid of the cash. It will be difficult for you or even the authorities to trace the money. In case you really need to keep some cash at home, get yourself a high-quality safe, bolted to the floor and fireproof.
4. Home Floor Plan
Sharing your home’s floor plan is another thing you’re doing that makes your home a target. Doing so is like inviting the bad guys into your home and giving them a tour of every corner of it. They will know where your rooms are (and likely where you store your valuables), the best entry and exit points, and hiding spots in case things go south. Say goodbye to burglary prevention if other people know the floor plan of your home. It will be a record-breaking home invasion for the perpetrators since they can navigate your home efficiently and lower the risk of failing the mission to rob you.
5. Your Vacation Plans
According to an FBI report, about 72% of burglaries happen when no one is home. If you’re going on a vacation, the biggest home security mistake you can commit is announcing you’re on vacation mode. Resist the temptation of posting your travel dates and the places you visit on social media. It’s like inviting the burglars to party while you’re away. If you will be away for an extended period, put your mail and deliveries on hold or ask a friend or trusted neighbor to get them while you’re away. Want another home safety tip? Create an illusion that someone’s at home by using timers for your lights or investing in smart home gadgets so you can control them while you’re far from home.
6. Where Your Spare Keys Are
Another big burglary prevention tip is not to show people the hiding spots for your spare keys. It’s a disaster waiting to happen when you leave your keys outside. Burglars are aware of the most common hiding spots like under the doormat, a fake rock, or above the front door frame. Instead, you can leave your keys with a trusted friend or neighbor. You can also consider keyless entry or smart locks if you frequently need to give access to other people.
7. Unlocked Doors or Windows
Leaving entry points at home unlocked is like an open invitation (pun intended) to burglars. You are making their job effortless. With such scenarios, opportunistic thieves can easily slip in and out of your house undetected. Burglar prevention involves everyone at home. You should develop a routine where you and other members ensure all doors and windows are shut. Never be complacent at any time of the day. Propping a door open even briefly is enough for a crime to happen.
8. Empty Garage or Shed
People tend to overlook garages, sheds, and other outdoor structures when it comes to home security. Leaving these structures unsecured may lead to valuable tools and equipment gone in a snap. These items can easily be sold for quick cash, and that’s why burglars love them. Access to your garage or shed gives the bad guys a place where they can discreetly work and plan out their next move (like gaining access to the main house). Ensure your outbuildings are adequately locked. As part of burglary prevention, you can install motion-activated lights or even alarms if you have the extra budget.
9. Home Office Setup
With more people working from home, many have valuable equipment and hold sensitive work information in their home offices. Showing your home office setup might make you more vulnerable. Casual acquaintances or service providers with other motives will know what to target when they invade your home. It could be a high-end laptop or monitor they can quickly sell online or, more worrisome, sensitive documents that might put your company at risk. Limiting access to your home office and being mindful of what other people see during virtual meetings is best.
10. Recent Purchases
Are you tempted to do an unboxing video or do a humble brag and post your recent purchases on social media? Don’t! While you can be proud of your recent haul, don’t attract unwanted attention by showing the world that you have a new luxury bag or diamond necklace. Leaving boxes of expensive gadgets in your trash can is also a no-no. If you’re expecting a high-value item, schedule delivery when you are home. Break down boxes if you need to discard them. And, of course, be discreet, especially with people you barely know.
Burglary Prevention is a Multi-Layered Approach
There’s no magic pill to prevent burglaries from happening. If you were a victim, make your home feel safe again. It’s about a consistent effort to have that layer of protection to deter home invaders so your family and properties will remain safe. From being discreet to practicing good home security habits to using the available technologies to make your home more secure, burglary prevention is all about being aware, vigilant, and proactive.