A Retired Burglar Revealed How You Can Protect Your House From Getting Robbed

Thanks to a retired burglar, we now can learn how these criminals actually choose houses to rob and where they look for valuables. Once you learn more about these tips you might want to implement them as soon as possible. And as it turns out, security tricks that we’ve relied on over the years may not have been such good ideas after all.

We at Bright Side found a retired burger online along with his security tips, and we want to share them with you.

1. Go for double windows.

Regular windows can be easily broken and a burglar can shatter them on the first try. However, double windows (which are laminated) have plastic between the 2 layers. This makes it harder for robbers to break them.

2. Don’t put up a high fence.

The one thing burglars want the most is bushes and high fences. In this way, they won’t alert the neighbors when they enter your home. A home with a lower fence and little to no decorative bushes has a lower chance of getting robbed.

3. Don’t rely on dogs as theft protectors.

Dogs can be easily persuaded and let their guard down when a burglar enters the house, especially if he has targeted and watched the house for some time. Well, maybe it’s different with dogs that are trained to actually guard the house.

If you really want to get a dog but you want it to serve as both a cuddly pet and an “alarm,” get a dog of a smaller breed. The smaller dogs tend to bark more and louder.

4. Don’t put up a dog sign.

A dog sign won’t chase off burglars, in fact, you’re just telling them what they should expect and be prepared for. So if you do have a dog and want it to signal you when someone is entering the house, don’t put up a dog sign.

5. Don’t forget to clean the dust from your secret place too.

Burglars can find out your secret hiding places by looking for dust trails. If the dust isn’t cleaned in that area, they’ll be able to see dust trails from when you moved the object. That’s why it’s important not to forget to clean that spot too.

6. Put a broom against your door.

One simple way that can help to signal you when someone is entering your home is to put a broom or a mop against both your front and back doors. This way, when the burglar tries to get inside your home through one of those doors, the broom will fall down and make a noise.

7. Keep your calendar out of window view.

The best time for burglars to rob your home is when you’re not there, especially if you’re on vacation. They tend to peek into your room and check the calendar to see your plans. That’s why it’s better to keep your planner as far from the windows as possible.

Another way they can find out if there’s no one at home is by checking the mailbox. If it’s full, they know you’re away and the house is free for their plan. One way to prevent this from happening is to install a mail slot on your door. However, make sure you add a metal cage on the other side so that if they try to grab your keys through the slot, they won’t succeed.

8. Keep your window drapes open.

We value our privacy and burglars use this to their advantage. When we keep the drapes closed, the operation to steal your valuables will have a higher chance of success because your neighbors won’t see them when they pass by the windows. Because of this, keep your drapes open, especially when you’re not at home.

9. Keep the blinds slanted upward.

Blinds are also great for privacy but they can help burglars peek in and see what you have inside. That’s why it’s essential to keep the blinds facing upward. This way, you can have your privacy, get some light in the room, and the burglar won’t be able to peek inside.

10. Change the lock to a “strike plate.”

One affordable change you can make in your home that will help slow burglars down is to change your locks. Get a “strike plate” and install it on both your front and back door. This type of lock is more durable and harder to break down.

11. Place security cameras at eye level.

When you decide to install security cameras in your home, make sure that you also have a few cameras placed at eye level. This way, you’ll have a higher chance of recording the burglar’s face.

12. Don’t keep the garage keys inside your car.

Another way burglars can easily get inside your home is through the garage door, especially if you keep the keys inside your car in the driveway. Cars are easier to break into, and if they get a hold of the garage key, they’ll enter the house without any trouble at all.

13. Keep party decorations out of sight.

Parties are signals that burglars love to receive. For them, it means that you’ve likely just gotten some valuable gifts that are ripe for stealing. Because of this, it’s wise not to decorate the outside of your home and to keep any decorations out of the windows.

14. Keep children’s toys inside.

Children’s toys might signal burglars that you’re settled and most likely have valuables in your home. So take your kids’ toys inside when they’re not playing with them anymore.

15. Randomize the automated light system.

If you already have or plan on getting an automated light system, don’t configure the lights to turn on at the same time every day. Make it random. Burglars know about these systems and check to see what time the lights turn on. If they notice that the lights get turned on at the same time every day, your house will become their next target.

Bonus: Focus more on daytime security.

Robberies happen more often during the day, especially when you’re out and about running errands or at work. It’s easier for the burglars to rob your place when there’s no one there. Most of them won’t risk it overnight since they can wake you up and give you the chance to spot or catch them.

Do you know any security tricks that have helped you before? Have you already implemented any of the aformentioned tips or done just the opposite?