Art, obsession, and identity
Leaving your keys next to a door or window can make them easier to grab.
Obituaries in the paper alert burglars to empty houses.
Leaving a spare key under the entrance mat is probably not a good idea. If you want to leave one, find a better location.
Even small slap doors can be an entrance point for a burglar. If you have one, make sure you secure it when you're out of the house.
Installing an AC unit in the window is a bad idea when it comes to the security of your home. This is an open window for burglars to come in.
Some people leave a light on when they go on vacation, but if burglars are targeting your house, they'll notice that light is on during the day as well.
Posting photos of your vacation on social media will let people know that you're away from home.
This is a basic one, but many people still don't lock their doors when they leave the house. Do so every time you go out.
If you usually have your curtains and blinds open and all of a sudden they're closed, it might signal to burglars that you're away. You can leave some open and some closed when you go on vacation.
Burglars passing by your house will notice this, especially if you mow the lawn on a regular basis.
An open backyard makes it easier for burglars to access your property.
Patio doors are usually made of glass and poorly secured. You can secure your patio door with a better lock at least.
Even if it's just a little bit, leaving a window open is never a good idea when you're not home.
Who listens to the radio 24/7, really? Burglars will notice this.
Front doors should be solid and have robust locks. While glass looks great, it makes your front door a lot more vulnerable.
Leaving benches in your yard, that can be easily used by burglars to break into your house is not a good idea.
Some garage doors are not very well secured and can be an entry point for a burglar. Keep it closed and locked at all times.
Especially if you park in the driveway. If you leave it in the car, burglars can easily break into you car and subsequently into your home.
This is a clear sign that you're not at home. If possible, cancel some mail services or ask someone to check the mail for you while you're away.
You need to pay particular care if you run a home business. The less people know about it, the better. The possibility of stock and cash in the house will make it a target for burglars.
If a burglar is monitoring your daily activity, this is the perfect way to do so unnoticed.
This one might sound a bit extreme, but so can burglars' tactics to break into your home. No footsteps or tire marks on fresh snow will indicate that no one is at home. Asking a neighbor to walk to your front door might do the trick.
This can signal a brand new TV or other items burglars might be looking for.
Don't leave your stepladder next to other tools outside. This can be used as a burglary aid.
It's likely that you'll have strangers working in your home at some point. If possible, try to get references, as these strangers can pass on information to burglars.
A house with less neighbors is an easier target for a burglar. While you can't change the location of your house, you can always bump up the security.
Don't advertise your laptop or TV to burglars. It can't get more inviting than that.
If you usually take good care of your flowers and all of a sudden they start to die, it's a sign that you have been away for a while.
Our home is our castle, and as such we should keep it safe at all times. While anyone can be a victim of a burglary, there are steps we can take to minimize the chances.
Indeed, we've all been guilty of doing things that leave our homes more vulnerable. So with that in mind, here's a list of things you should look out for to keep your home safe. Browse through the following gallery and see if you're doing any of these things that can make your home a target for burglars.
How to protect your home from burglaries
Keep your home safe from theft with these tips
LIFESTYLE Home security
Our home is our castle, and as such we should keep it safe at all times. While anyone can be a victim of a burglary, there are steps we can take to minimize the chances.
Indeed, we've all been guilty of doing things that leave our homes more vulnerable. So with that in mind, here's a list of things you should look out for to keep your home safe. Browse through the following gallery and see if you're doing any of these things that can make your home a target for burglars.