Home Security Lessons to Ignore to Make Your Home Inviting to Burglars

Warning: The following suggestions will not keep you safe. They will make your home an obvious target for thieves trolling your neighborhood in search of an easy score. If you would like for your home to be one of the thousands burglarized each day, I encourage you to implement the suggestions below. If you are like most people and prefer to keep your home safe do just the opposite and your odds are much better. Either way, don’t stop reading now because this information is just too good to pass up.

Lighting
Be sure to turn off all exterior lighting, particularly if you are considering an extended stay. Seeing a dark house 24/7 helps burglars determine the occupied homes from the empty ones. Whatever you do, don’t use a timer system that automatically turns lights on and off because it may look too much like someone is living in the house. Additionally, be sure all outside flood lights are burned out as to not expose the burglar prowling around your windows. Burglars prefer to work in complete darkness so that passing cars and neighbors do not disturb their handy work.

Ladders
You would think homeowners who paid a mint for that Little Giant Ladder would stow it away safely when not in use. However, many homeowners simply leave the ladder propped up against the house, or laying on its side on the ground. This really helps when trying to access second floor windows. Be sure to leave you ladder conveniently placed just beneath a bedroom window – and be sure to leave the window unlocked if you aren’t planning to be home when the burglar drops by.

Garage Door Openers
Most newly constructed homes are equipped with garage door openers with remote controls for controlling operation when inside vehicles. Two-car families without the extra room in the garage often leave one car parked outside while the nice car stays garaged. What a perfect opportunity to gain access to your garage. Leave a door unlocked, or a window down and prowlers have access to your garage and adjoining entry door with the click of a button.

Landscaping
Please refrain from trimming shrubbery near your house. Out of control hedges provide great cover when trying to pry open your dining room window. Do not install any lighting along the pathways in front of your home as they may shed light on what a would-be thief is doing behind those overgrown shrubs. Besides, what good cat burglar doesn’t have a flashlight at the ready for any night job?