When summer finally rolls around, most people breathe a collective
sigh of relief. It’s time to open the windows, fire up the grill, and
relax. Right? Well, not so fast.
Although summer is a relaxing and fun time of year for most people,
it’s also when thieves feel most emboldened to target homes for
break-in. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) reports that home
burglary, larceny, and auto theft rise by 11% during the summer months.
Warm sunny days, frequent day trips, and vacations can put homeowners
at an increased risk for home and auto theft. Fortunately, there are
plenty of ways to prevent home burglary, especially during the summer.
Here’s what you can do to make sure you and your family don’t become
victims.
What Are Burglars Looking For?
Reporter Kyle Iboshi, a journalist with KGW8 News in Portland,
Oregon, sent a questionnaire to 86 inmates currently serving time for
burglary in the Oregon Department of Corrections. He wanted to know how
they broke into homes, what they were looking for, and what would make
them think twice about targeting a home.
Most of the inmates broke into homes through an unlocked door or
window. They also targeted homes with privacy fences or trees and shrubs
that obscured the view from neighbors; thieves want plenty of cover
when they break in.
What items were the burglars looking for? Valuables like jewelry,
electronics, cash, and credit cards were targeted first. Guns and
collectibles were also popular, as were narcotic prescription drugs,
which can be easy money for a thief. Finally, they looked for personal
information they could use to steal victims’ identities, such as birth
certificates, Social Security cards, and passports. Typically, burglars
looked for valuables in the master bedroom first and then made their way
through the rest of the house.
According to a DOJ report entitled “Burglary of Single-Family
Houses,” families living in single-family homes are at a greater risk of
break-in than those living in condos, duplexes, or apartments.
That’s
because single-family homes have more entry points, more privacy
features, and are usually farther away from the prying eyes of
neighbors.
How to Tell If Your Home Is Being Cased
When Iboshi asked inmates if they spent time casing a home before
breaking in, the answers were mixed. Some inmates would watch a home to
learn a family’s routine and figure out when everyone was gone, while
others didn’t spend any time on surveillance.
How can you tell if your home is being watched by a burglar?
1. A Window Is Broken
Security expert Joel Logan, COO of Reliance Security, told Reader’s
Digest that some criminals throw a rock through a window to see what
happens. Are you home? Does an alarm go off? Do neighbors peek through
their windows at the sound?
If nothing happens, Logan says, the criminal might break in that
night or soon after. If you come home and find a broken window, it’s
best to call the police and make sure your home is completely secure
before dark or when you leave for work the next day.
2. Your Trash Goes Missing
Many thieves will sift through your trash to learn more about you.
Yes, they’re looking for an opportunity to steal your identity, but
they’re also looking for information about you
. Where do you
work? How old are your kids? Are you going on vacation soon? Have you
recently made any big purchases? What are the names of other people in
your family?
You might be surprised by how much someone can learn about your
family and your routine simply by taking your trash and recycling.
Thieves can even use this information to gain access to the house; this
is especially common with seniors.
For example, imagine a thief steals your grandmother’s papers out of
the recycling bin. These papers contain a letter from you. The thief can
then pretend to be a handyman or yard worker that you hired to
come help your grandmother out. When he drops your name, your
grandmother has no problem letting him in, and once inside, he has
plenty of time to case the home and find the best points of entry. He
can also ask questions to learn your grandmother’s routine and come back
when he knows she’ll be away.
3. Your Gas Tank Is Empty
You’ve left for work and suddenly realize that you’re completely out
of gas. Now you’re stuck on the side of the road, even though you’re
sure your tank was almost full. What’s going on?
Sometimes, thieves will siphon gas out of your car to ensure that you
won’t return home for a long time. This gives them ample opportunity to
browse through your house and find your valuables.
4. Someone New Recently Entered Your Home
Last week, two men delivered your new refrigerator. This week, your home was broken into.
Sometimes, thieves have a regular “day job” in a field that gives
them plenty of opportunities to case homes. They might be house
cleaners, delivery or installation professionals, yard workers, or
handymen. The DOJ report found that many thieves commit thefts close to
where they live or work.
They like to know the area, and if they can use
their job to find out what’s inside a home, even better. A thief might
also pay off other people who have had access to your house in order to
find out what’s inside and how they can get in.
Whenever someone new is going to be in your home, do what you can to
remove any valuables from sight. When they leave, check all of your
doors and windows to make sure they’re still locked and secure.
5. You See Strange People & Cars in Your Neighborhood
You noticed a strange car drive slowly past your house several times
yesterday. Today, you spotted someone you’ve never seen ambling by on
the sidewalk. Sure, that car might have been driven by someone who was
lost, and you might have a new neighbor. Or it could be a burglar casing
your neighborhood.
The DOJ report found that homes located on or near busy streets are
at a greater risk of break-in because it’s harder for homeowners to spot
strange vehicles when so many cars go past during the day.
How to Keep Your Valuables Safe
The more you learn about what thieves are looking for, the more you’re able to make your home and car less of a target.
1. Keep a Car in the Driveway
According to Iboshi’s questionnaire, almost all of the burglars
interviewed said they’d think twice if there was a car in the driveway –
a big clue that someone was home.
If both of your cars are parked at work during the day and you’re
really concerned about home burglary, it might be worth it to buy a used
car just to keep in the driveway while you’re gone. Another option is
to carpool with someone and have them park their car at your house while
you’re both at work.
2. Keep Your Windows & Blinds Closed
Warm summer days might make you want to throw open the windows to let
in some fresh air, but open windows are an invitation for burglars.
Keep windows and blinds closed during the day so thieves don’t have a
chance to peek in.
3. Don’t Let the Mail Pile Up
If you’re planning your summer vacation, make sure your planning
includes what to do about your mail and package deliveries. Thieves
won’t think twice about opening your mailbox to see if it’s empty or
full. A stuffed mailbox or a pile of newspapers on the driveway is a
sure sign that no one’s home.
Before you leave on vacation, put your mail on hold through the USPS
Hold Mail Service, and ask a neighbor to pick up any papers or packages
you’re expecting while you’re away. Ask your neighbor to remove any door
fliers too; sometimes thieves stick a fake flyer in the door just to
see how long it sits there.
4. Keep Outdoor Valuables Locked Up
Think about all the items you might leave out in your yard during the
summer months, like a lawn mower, weed wacker, or bicycle. These items
are frequently stolen in the summer simply because they’re left out for
easy picking. Outdoor tools and equipment should be put away and locked
up as soon as you’re done using them.
Make sure your garage stays closed. People often leave their garage
doors open for convenience when they’re doing yard work, or they forget
to close the door when they run out to do a quick errand. Get into the
habit of closing your garage door and you leave yourself less vulnerable
to a break-in.
An open garage not only gives potential thieves a look at your
valuables; it also tells them you’re probably not home. One convicted
burglar who responded to Iboshi’s questionnaire said that he peeked into
garage windows to see if a car was parked inside. If your garage has a
window, put up some blinds to keep thieves guessing.
5. Keep Quiet on Social Media
Do you know and trust every single person you’re connected to on
Facebook or Twitter? Probably not, which is why you should never talk
about an upcoming vacation on social media.
Don’t say when and where you’re going, don’t share pictures of how
much fun you’re having – nothing. You don’t want to advertise that you
won’t be home for an extended period of time.
6. Leave Your TV or Radio On
The DOJ report revealed that most home burglaries occur on weekdays
between 10am and 11am and between 1pm and 3pm. Hearing a TV or radio on
during the day is a huge deterrent for thieves as it likely means
someone’s in the house.
While you’re at work or on summer vacation, leave your TV or radio on
for this purpose. If you don’t want these devices running all day,
purchase a timer like the Smart Digital Light Timer. You can set a
digital timer to turn on your radio in the morning and your TV in the
afternoon to make thieves think someone’s home.
7. Don’t Leave Valuables in Your Car
According to American Modern Insurance Group, most vehicle-related
thefts occur in 20 seconds or less. To keep your valuables safe, always
keep your car locked, even when it’s parked in your driveway, and never
leave the windows open. Remember that in addition to burglars, teenagers
are more likely to roam the streets in the summer and try car doors to
see which are unlocked.
You never know what will tempt a theft to break a window. Whenever
possible, remove valuable items like portable DVD players, gaming
devices, GPS devices, cash, and cell phones from your car.
If you’re on summer vacation and you’re unsure of the area, park your
car close to building entrances and exits where it will be more
visible, or in parking lots near the security cameras.
8. Get a Dog
If keeping a car in the driveway is the best way to ward off thieves,
having a dog is a close second.
Most thieves steer clear of homes with
dogs, according to the DOJ. A dog may bite or they may not, but thieves
don’t want to take a chance. Even small dogs are a deterrent because
their barking can attract attention.
If you’ve been thinking of adopting a dog, right now might be a great
time. Just make sure you know the costs of having a dog before you
bring one home.
9. Install Security Film, Systems, & Cameras
Another option to keep your home safe is to install security film on
your downstairs windows. Security film is made of polyester and is
designed to slow or stop a thief’s entry into your home. It works by
holding the glass together when someone tries to break in, which can
help prevent “smash and grab” break-ins. You can find relatively
inexpensive security film on Amazon. It’s also available through 3M.
You might also want to consider a security system. The majority of
thieves will think twice about breaking into a home with a security
system. It’s a huge risk, and while there are plenty who know how to
disable an alarm, it will slow them down if they have to do it. They’d
rather move on to a home without any system to deal with. Just make sure
you research the best home security systems so you pick the right one
for your home and family.
That said, bear in mind that a home security system isn’t always
reliable. The Family Handyman reports that 80% to 95% of home alarms
nationwide are false alarms. As a result, most large police departments
won’t even respond to a home alarm unless there’s a secondary
verification like a security camera or eyewitness. So while a security
system might offer some protection, it’s not foolproof.
A simple security camera is another option for home protection. The
criminals who responded to Iboshi’s questionnaire said that a visible
security camera was a deterrent for them. However, other criminals say
that a camera signals that valuables are inside, making the home more
appealing. Your best bet is to pair a camera with other precautions on
this list to keep your home as safe as possible.
Security cameras have come a long way in recent years; the costs have
fallen dramatically and you can now find decent cameras on Amazon for
less than $100. They can stream video directly to your smartphone so you
can react in real-time, and cameras posted at your front and back doors
might be all the deterrent you need to make thieves look elsewhere.
10. Don’t Hide Your Valuables in Obvious Places
Raise your hand if you have jewelry or cash stashed in your bedroom
closet or dresser drawer. Many of us do. Humans are predictable, and we
often choose the same hiding spots for our valuables – which means
thieves know exactly where to look for these items.
Here are the most common places a thief will check when he breaks into your house:
- The master bedroom closet
- Under the mattress
- Dresser drawers
- The medicine cabinet
- A portable safe
- The freezer
- Desk drawers
- The liquor cabinet
If given enough time, a thief will tear your house apart looking for
valuables, so if they stay long enough, eventually they will find your
items, no matter where they’re hidden. But a thief typically spends 8 to
12 minutes inside a home during a break-in, and they’ll be focused on
searching the more predictable places listed above.
So, where should you hide your stuff?
- A Substantial Safe. If your safe is portable –
meaning it’s not attached to the wall or floor – a thief will take it
and crack it open later. A safe is still a great place to store
valuables, as long as it’s either very big and heavy or bolted to
something larger so it can’t be picked up.
- A Hollowed-Out Book. Most thieves won’t take the
time to check every book in your house looking for an empty one. They
want to get in and out quickly, so a hollowed-out book surrounded by
plenty of “real” books is a good hiding spot.
- Cans and Boxes in the Kitchen. That empty box of
Cheerios makes a great hiding place for your valuables. So does that
empty oatmeal container. Put your items in there and leave them right in
the pantry to hide them in plain sight.
- In the Freezer. Yes, thieves will check the
freezer. But many people store valuables in the freezer in a sock or
other wrapping that makes it painfully obvious these items aren’t food.
The freezer is a good hiding place as long as your valuables can easily
be mistaken for food, so wrap them in plastic and aluminum and put them
in the back. This works especially well for important documents.
- In the Garage. The garage can be a great hiding
place for valuables because there is typically a ton of stuff in there.
Yes, the garage is less secure than your home, but if you put items in a
box with a boring label (such as “Baby Clothes” or “Christmas
Decorations”), a thief will likely pass it by.
- Inside a Houseplant. It’s doubtful that thieves
will paw through your houseplants looking for valuables. Line your pots
with plastic or another material that makes it easy to lift the whole
plant out, and put your valuables underneath in a waterproof bag or
container to keep them dry.
Final Word
Summer leads to a rise in break-ins for several reasons: people leave
for vacation, they leave windows and doors open when they run out to
the grocery store, and it’s just easier for thieves to break in when
there’s no snow on the ground.
Keeping your home and car safe doesn’t require a big investment, just
a better awareness of what attracts burglars and what deters them. Even
simple chores like keeping trees and bushes trimmed go a long way
towards discouraging thieves.
What do you do to prevent a home break-in? Do you have any clever hiding spots you’d like to share?
Link to the article:
https://www.moneycrashers.com/protect-home-car-theft/
Related articles:
https://towsonareacop.wordpress.com/2017/03/08/how-to-protect-your-home-from-burglaries-thieves-tell-all-today-com/
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