Home burglaries are often crimes of opportunity. By taking a few simple precautions, you can reduce your risk of becoming a target. Below are some effective strategies to secure your home and protect your valuables.
Effective Ways to Deter Burglars
- Beware of Dog sign: Even if you don't have a dog, the sign can deter burglars who aren't willing to risk a potential dog bite.
- Alarm system sign: A sign in the window indicating an alarm system is in place can be a strong deterrent, even if you don’t have a working alarm system.
- Close curtains: Keep your curtains closed during the day and especially at night to prevent passersby from seeing valuables, like a 75-inch flat-screen TV.
- Lock doors: Always lock your doors. Burglars typically try to open doors first. If it’s too difficult or noisy, they will likely move on to the next house.
- Secure sliding glass doors: Place a wooden pole in the track of sliding glass doors to prevent them from being forced open.
- Install window locks: Add locks to windows to limit how far they open. This makes it more difficult for burglars to get inside. Ensure they can be easily removed in case of an emergency.
Where to Hide Your Valuables
The best hiding places for valuables are those that are hidden in plain sight. Anything that has a lock is a common target for burglars, so try to think outside the box. Avoid water-filled hiding places, such as a toilet tank, as water can damage electronics and important papers.
- Secret compartment in a book: A great way to hide valuables in plain sight is by creating a secret compartment in a book. Here’s how:
- Glue the first 20 pages of an old book together, then glue the rest of the pages into a block.
- Use a utility knife to cut out a square slot in the center of the block of pages.
- Glue the interior pages together to create a rigid box, then add weight to ensure the pages stay in place.
- Optionally, line the interior with felt to prevent damage to jewelry or other delicate items.
- Floor safe: Wall safes can be easily cut out and removed. Instead, opt for a heavy floor safe that can fit between the floorboards and be carpeted over. No one will know it's there.
- QuickShelf: This stylish wall shelf doubles as a safe, offering secure storage in plain sight. It features an access card to unlock, making it ideal for storing firearms safely away from children.
- Trash can hiding place: A large trash can can serve as a clever hiding spot. Place a small bag of trash in the top half and then hide valuables in a bin at the bottom, camouflaged by the other trash.
- Mislabeled boxes: Place your valuables in boxes labeled for other uses, such as Christmas ornaments. This will keep burglars from searching these boxes too thoroughly.
Think Like a Burglar
Walk around your home and identify potential weak points. Are there any obvious opportunities for a burglar to break in? Taking the time to assess your home’s security and make improvements can greatly reduce the likelihood of a break-in. What steps have you taken to safeguard your valuables?
