How to Make Your Home an Easy Target for Burglars

Burglaries and break-ins are an obvious concern for all homeowners, and while no one’s home is completely immune to these unpleasant situations, there are some things you can do (or fail to do) that can actually increase the odds of your home getting visited by a shady character. In fact, by not implementing some very basic security measures, some homeowners have essentially extended an invitation to the entire seedy underworld of thieves and ne’er-do-wells to come and pillage their valuables at will. Are you guilty of committing some of these easy targets?

1. Allowing your newspapers and mail to pile up.

If a burglar is regularly casing your neighborhood and he notices your mailbox overflowing or newspapers building up on your driveway, he will instantly know that your home is unoccupied. If you’re going to be away from home for any extended period of time, you can either arrange to have a trusted neighbor collect your newspapers and mail, or you can request a hold on deliveries until you get back in town.

2. Leaving all the lights off in your home.

Nothing says “unoccupied” like a house with no lights on. You want to convey that there’s always some type of activity going on in your home, even when no one is there. One of the best and easiest ways to do this is by investing in a home automation system such as BeHome247, which allows you to schedule various times for your lighting and/or home entertainment devices to turn on and off, giving the impression that your home is occupied even while you’re away. This mirage of activity is often enough to deter would-be burglars.

3. Using door locks that can be easily picked or bumped.

If an intruder can waltz right up and unlock your front door with a bump key in 30 seconds or less, you may want to rethink the security of your locks. By some estimates, 90 percent of all homes in the U.S. still have conventional pin-and-tumbler locks that are highly vulnerable to bumping and picking. Equipping your home with a bump-proof and pick-proof keyless lock such as the Lockey M210 will make it far less tempting for a would-be intruder to try their luck at opening your front door.

4. Always posting your whereabouts on social media.

Putting the world on blast by constantly divulging your real-time location on social media is not the smartest thing to do, especially if you’re going to be away from home for a long period of time. Entire websites (e.g., PleaseRobMe.com) have been devoted to collecting this type of information from various social media sites, which can give thieves a highly accurate gauge of when you’re home and when you’re not. It’s always a good idea to double-check the privacy settings for any social media site you’re using, so that you can better control the reach of your posts and keep prying eyes away from information that you only intend to be seen by trusted friends.

A large part of keeping your home secure is entirely within your control. By putting these simple security measures in place, you can greatly decrease the risk of your home being targeted.

BeHome247 Wireless Smart Home Deadbolt Package

Lockey M210, M210-EZ Keyless Push Button Deadbolt Lock