A heavy-duty locked cabinet or a safe deposit box can protect your belongings, but it won’t make them easy to access. Some items simply don’t fit in such vaults. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to safeguard your valuables without locking them up.
Visibility
Go outside and look in your windows. If you can see costly items like flat-panel TVs or high-end stereos, move them to a different part of the house. Thieves prefer to burglarize homes that obviously contain expensive goods. If you can’t move things out of view, use opaque materials to cover your windows or plant some big shrubs. Consider buying Venetian blinds or thick curtains. Remember that burglars can also look inside the home when you leave doors open or they knock on your door “by accident.”
Discretion
Exercise caution when talking about pricey possessions. It’s best to only discuss them with close friends and family members. An unfamiliar person at a restaurant or bar could be listening as you tell people about your new jewelry or flat screen.
Avoid uploading pictures of valuables to social media networks or photo sharing websites. Criminals can use these photos to case your house without even visiting it. Likewise, don’t post messages about a vacation until you return home.
Travel
Be sure to mow the lawn before you depart on a lengthy trip. If you don’t plan to return for more than a week, pay someone to cut the grass or shovel snow. Don’t make it easy for burglars to ascertain that your house is vacant.
When you bring electronics and cameras outdoors, carry them in opaque cases or bags. Avoid using pouches with expensive brand names on them. If possible, use a bag that isn’t specifically designed for high-tech devices.
Keep in mind that thieves can steal valuables before you even take them into your home. Use caution in store parking lots; conceal product boxes with bags or clothing. If you shop online, try to remain at home on the estimated delivery date.
Doors
Consider upgrading the locks on your home’s exterior doors. An Aurora locksmith can install deadbolts that are much harder to break than basic doorknob locks. According to Affordable Lock Services Inc, a peephole may also help you prevent robberies when you use it to screen visitors.
By following these tips, you can significantly decrease the risk of theft. Nonetheless, it’s still a good idea to prepare for a burglary. Take photos of belongings and record their serial numbers; this will help you report robberies to the police and file insurance claims.
This article is from Brooke Chaplan, a freelance writer and blogger. She lives and works out of her home in Los Lunas, New Mexico. She loves the outdoors and spends most her time hiking, biking and gardening. For more information contact Brooke via Twitter @BrookeChaplan.
