You would never think of burglarizing someone else’s home (we hope!), so it may be hard to put yourself in a criminal’s shoes. Nevertheless, it’s something that’s necessary for you to do if you wish to protect your own residence from potential intruders. The ability to view your home from a burglar’s point of view can help you put preventative measures in place that could foil their break-in attempts.
In most cases, thieves look for and evaluate two things:
- The attractiveness of the property
- The ease of entry
They don’t plan to just walk through the front door, although they’ll do it if you leave it unlocked for them. Facing a locked door, thieves must find alternative entries. If you’re thinking like a burglar, you’re looking around for back doors, open windows, and other means of entering. The more they can be hidden from view, the easier it will be for them to break in.
To prevent a burglar from getting inside, be sure to lock all entries. Don’t leave trash cans under open windows where someone might be able to climb into the house. Trim any bushes or hedges that might provide cover for burglars breaking in.
A burglar will also notice whether the house is always dark and whether your mail or newspapers have piled up outside. These are obvious clues that no one is home and that you might be gone for an extended period.
The remedy? Put your lights on timers, and suspend your mail and newspaper delivery (or have a neighbor retrieve it for you).
Some more tips:
Keep the garage and shed locked to prevent access to tools or ladders that could be used to gain entry into your home. Just because a window is locked, that doesn’t mean that an intruder won’t break it if he finds a hammer.
It may seem obvious, but don’t leave any keys where they can easily be discovered. Ask yourself whether the convenience of leaving an extra key outside it worth the risk of someone breaking into your home.
With the winter holiday season upon us, thieves are on the lookout for homes left empty while residents are traveling. Furthermore, they would love to get their hands on your gifts and other valuables.
