Hiding spots for valuables that burglars won't find -

We don't usually think about the possibility of our home being broken into by burglars, but prevention is the best medicine. We all have valuables at home, whether that's cash, jewelry, expensive electronics, or even a hard drive or USB pen with valuable files; we need to keep them safe.  Long gone are the days when we used to keep cash under our mattresses, but where should we hide our valuables?

In this gallery, we give you a few options that no typical burglar will think of. Curious? Click on and discover the best hiding spots for valuables.

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Hollowed book -

This is a classic, but still an effective way to keep your valuables safe. Burglars are unlikely to go looking through books.

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Cereal box -

You can place some cash or other small valuables in a cereal box. Just make sure these are as healthy and plain as possible–something burglars wouldn't reach for if they got the munchies!

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Fake pipes -

Install a fake PVC pipe and you can stuff it with lots of things. Brilliant!

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Toilet paper holder -

If your toilet paper holder has a removable hollow tube, you can stash a few rolled-up bills in it.

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Pockets -

You can hide your valuables in different pockets of clothing hanging in your wardrobe. Think pants and coats, for instance.

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Keep your safe, safe -

If you have your valuables in a fireproof safe, it can be easily spotted by burglars. A good way to hide it is inside a suitcase.

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Tissue box -

This is also a great hiding place. A tissue box is a common object with enough space to hide stuff.

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Cat litter -

Place your valuables in a zip bag and bury it in cat litter. Yup, really!

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Ironing board -

Many of these have tubular feet. Just remove the caps and you can fill them with rolls of cash or even jewelry.

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Faux sprinkler -

Not only can you stash a few rolled up bills in one, but you can also use one to hide a spare key. Ingenious!

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Bird house -

And talking about hiding spare house keys, a bird house is more effective than the obvious welcome mat.

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In your fridge -

Why not hide your valuables in an empty mayo jar? Paint the interior and it will look like just any other jar in your fridge.

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Ceiling -

Suspended ceiling tiles make perfect hiding spots. If you have them in your home, it's a no-brainer.

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Curtains -

This works particularly well with dark curtains. Just sew an extra layer of fabric (of the same color) to the bottom, and you can keep a few bills in there.

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In your kids' bedrooms -

Stuffed toys are also a classic hiding place for valuables. This works really well if your kids have a few in their bedroom.

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Faux wall outlet -

This is easy to install and you can have nice compartments where you can keep a number of small things, such as jewelry.

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Vacuum cleaner -

Who would look inside a vacuum cleaner, right? If you have a spare one you don't use anymore, even better!

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Photo album -

Those classic family photo albums are excellent hiding spots. Just place cash or valuable documents where you would place a picture!

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Mix it with clothes -

Do your have a bag of winter/summer clothes that you keep in you wardrobe? Well, who's going to go through those, right?

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Cushions/pillows -

Another classic hiding spot. You can hide your valuables in plain sight.

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Bury them -

A flower pot can be great to bury some cash, jewelry, or even an USB pen.

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Sneakers insoles -

You know those foam/rubber insoles in your sneakers? You can surely fit a few bills underneath them.

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Clock -

You will find some space behind a wall or mantel clock that can be used to hide something valuable.

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Air vents/grilles -

If you have drywall it's even easier to make a fake one. You'll have room to keep all your valuables in there.

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Tennis ball -

Cut a tennis ball in the middle, but not completely in half. It will open if you squeeze it, and close if you don't.

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Can of paint -

This can (pun intended) work great, especially if you have more in the same area.

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Bookcase -

You might not be able to build a secret passage to another room, but you can surely find great hiding spots in a bookshelf. Be creative.

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Marker pen -

Pop the end cap, remove the ink cartridge, and voila! You have a nice small compartment to fill up with rolled up bills.

See also: How to protect yourself against identity theft

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