“It will never happen to me” seems to be what most people think, feeding the misconception that burglary is something that concerns others and not our own home. But do we actually inadvertently provoke burglars when we let our small daily habits-mistakes turn our home into a target?
Turn off all the lights at night
Burglars ‘dislike’ the light. When overnight there is absolute darkness in your home, appropriate conditions are created so that one can move freely, without being noticed. Despite the latest research showing that intruders prefer daylight where homes are usually empty, the lack of lighting at night carries more significant risks, as you are in with your family.
Do not lock the garage door and windows
An unlocked garage generously offers the passage for the thief to reach outside your home. Most tenants forget to secure the door that separates the house from the garage, which is why burglars very often try this access and “eye” the houses that maintain this bad habit.
You have many pots and plants at the entry points
We all love the feeling of green in our garden, but the overgrown vegetation and dense pots favor burglars’ designs, as they provide cover and “hiding places” until they find the vulnerable entry point inside your home. Keeping vulnerabilitie access points “clean” and illuminated with floodlights discourages burglars from entering your garden.
Leave tools on the terrace or in the garden
Do you live in a house or on the ground floor with a garden? Forgotten tools, ladders, etc. on the outside of your home make burglars’ lives very easy, because they loosen their hands in an attempt to break down doors or windows.
Take out the trash on the balcony and forget about it
How many times do you take out the trash on the balcony and forget to throw it away? If you are used to it and at the same time leave for a weekend, send a clear message to the burglars that you are away from home. You will also be amazed at what you can find while looking for your trash, so make it a habit to throw it away in the bin.
You accidentally display valuables
If you recently happened to buy a new expensive TV or computer, do not leave the packaging and boxes in an obvious place outside your home, as it may catch the eye of burglars. Keep your purchases out of sight, making sure your balcony does not testify to what is happening inside your home.
Hide a key outside the house
Because we can all be locked out of our homes, we tend to hide a spare key in places that only you are supposed to know. However, burglars often prove to be cunning and sophisticated enough to “guess” the hiding places (such as under the mat or in pots, etc.) and enter our door normally. The ideal solution is to give the backup key to someone you trust, a friend or a neighbor.
Leave the curtains open
Forgetting to close the curtains is another daily habit that testifies to what is inside your home. Especially when you leave the shutters open for the house to be bright, everyone can monitor your habits and know when you are missing or how many are in the house.
Even when there is an alarm system installed in the house, many are those who continue to make daily mistakes ** and endanger the safety of their private space, especially during the holidays. To protect your home * effectively, whether you are away or not, adopt the habit of always sounding the alarm, educating the rest of your family in this practice necessary for the safety of your home.
