21 Things Your Burglar Won’t Tell You
Concerned about home security while someone is outside of your house knocking at your door?
Here are 21 things ‘your burglar’ won’t tell you…
1. “Of course I look familiar. I was here just last week cleaning your carpets, painting your shutters, or delivering your new refrigerator.”
2. “Hey, thanks for letting me use the bathroom when I was working in your yard last week. While I was in there, I unlatched the back window to make my return a little easier.”
3. “Love those flowers. That tells me you have taste… and taste means there are nice things inside. Those yard toys your kids leave out always make me wonder what type of gaming system they have.”
Effective, Easy to use, Door Security Bar:
I use these on my doors at home. Just slip under your doorknob at night…
BRINKS DOOR SECURITY BAR
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4. “Yes, I really do look for newspapers piled up on the driveway. And I might leave a pizza flyer in your front door to see how long it takes you to remove it..”
5. “I see there have been no tire or foot tracks in the snow of your driveway. You must be away..” If it snows while you’re out of town, get a neighbor to create car and foot tracks into the house. Virgin drifts in the driveway are a dead giveaway.
6. “I can see your alarm control through the glass of your door, and I notice that it’s not armed.” If decorative glass is part of your front entrance, don’t let your alarm company install the control pad where I can see if it’s set. That makes it too easy.
7. “I’ll bet there are no window alarms on the 2nd floor.” A good security company alarms the window over the sink. And the windows on the second floor, which often access the master bedroom – and your jewelry. It’s not a bad idea to put motion detectors up there too.
8. It’s raining, you’re fumbling with your umbrella, and you forget to lock your door – understandable. But understand this: “I don’t take a day off because of bad weather.”
9. “I always knock first. If you answer, I’ll ask for directions somewhere or offer to clean your gutters.” (Don’t take me up on it.)
10. “Do you really think I won’t look in your sock drawer? I always check dresser drawers, the bedside table, and the medicine cabinet.”
11. Here’s a helpful hint: “I almost never go into kids’ rooms.”
12. “You’re right: I won’t have enough time to break into that safe where you keep your valuables. But if it’s not bolted down, I’ll take it with me.”
13. “I hear the TV. You must be home.” A loud TV or radio can be a better deterrent than the best alarm system. If you’re reluctant to leave your TV on while you’re out of town, you can buy a $35 device that works on a timer and simulates the flickering glow of a real television.
From outside at night, this “Fake TV” makes it look like someone’s home. I always use this when we go away for an overnight or vacation.
FAKE TV BURGLAR DETERRENT
(view on amzn)
[ Read: Fake TV Burglar Deterrent For Home Security – How it Works ]
14. “Sometimes, I carry a clipboard. Sometimes, I dress like a lawn guy and carry a rake. I do my best to never, ever look like a crook.”
15. “The two things I hate most: loud dogs and nosy neighbors.”
16. “I’ll break a window to get in, even if it makes a little noise. If your neighbor hears one loud sound, he’ll stop what he’s doing and wait to hear it again. If he doesn’t hear it again, he’ll just go back to what he was doing. It’s human nature.”
17. “I’m not complaining, but why would you pay all that money for a fancy alarm system and leave your house without setting it?”
18. “I love looking in your windows. I’m looking for signs that you’re home, and for flat screen TVs or gaming systems I’d like. I’ll drive or walk through your neighborhood at night, before you close the blinds, just to pick my targets.”
19. “I saw on Facebook that you’re on vacation. Perfect!” Avoid announcing your vacation on your Facebook page. It’s easier than you think to look up your address.
20. “To you, leaving that window open just a crack during the day is a way to let in a little fresh air. To me, it’s an invitation.”
21. “If you don’t answer when I knock, I try the door. Occasionally, I hit the jackpot and walk right in!”
Home Security Tip
(Using Your Electronic Car Keys)
Keep your electronic car key fob beside your bed at night.
If you hear a noise outside your home or someone trying to get in your house, just press the panic button (on your key) and the car alarm will sound!
Next time you start to put your keys away, think of this: Your car alarm is a security alarm system. It will go off from most everywhere inside your house by pressing the key-fob panic button. Test it. It should work if you park in your driveway or garage.
If your car alarm goes off when someone is trying to break into your house, odds are the burglar won’t stick around. After a few seconds all the neighbors will be looking out their windows to see who is out there and what’s going on.
And remember to carry your keys while walking to your car in a parking lot. The car alarm will work the same way there – just press the panic button. This is a simple thing that should really be shared with everyone.
[ Read: 10 Things To Do When A Stranger Knocks On Your Door ]
[ Read: 50 Personal Security Tips ]
You know we are loosing our country when you can not display anything patriotic on your property or vehicle. I signals more than just the possibility of weapons, but may signal you are a reasonable law abiding citizen – a definite target for more than just robbery.
“If I know you’re not home, that porch light isn’t a deterrent–I’ll just look for an easier way in. It casts deeper shadows that hide side windows and other doors.”
“I’m lazy. If you make it hard for me to enter I probably won’t.”
The refrigerator delivery one happened to us, except for the break-in, nothing worth taking in sight. In our case it was a stove, 4 guys, the lead guy just walked by me through the house. They had other characteristics that added to the suspicion.
We had a new fridge delivered early this year… one of the delivery guys was trying to inconspicuously check the place out… after a few minutes he commented “Wow.. you sure have a lot of security cameras around here”. I replied “yeah.. those are just the ones you can see.”
Good reply!
You never know if a ‘delivery person’ or any other contractor/repair-person may be sizing up the place for nefarious reasons…
I had a break in 2 days after I had a gun safe delivered. I had not had time to put anything in the safe because I was going to bolt it down first. They pulled the safe out of the closet where I had planned to install it, but it wasn’t locked so they left it in the middle of the room. My guns & valuables were not in my home at that time. It wasn’t until much later that I believed that the two were probably related. Although it was delivered by UPS.
UPS, anyone with access to the safe company’s address database, anyone with access to UPS’s database, anyone who heard from anyone that a large package had been delivered with certain markings on it, anyone who saw a large box in the recycle…
I just had a juvenile burglary case. It all started with the kid using the bathroom. Lots of families leave their doors unlocked in this part of the Country. It is a different kind of place…usually. So this kid went inside a house, door unlocked and without permission, to use the bathroom for an emergency. On their way out the kid stole the owner’s key to his shop. The kid stolen some money and did some light vandalism in the shop (Playing Around).
Sigh…
Did you that 82 per cent of all burglaries in Los Angeles are by youth!
Yes, “youth”.
Biggest vulnerability is having someone in your house talking about what you’ve got. If you’re kid is in school, be very, very careful. We know.
I have no respect for thiefs. Age, intent. No one enters my home.without permission. I’d just assume be judge, jury, and executioner.
Parents house was robbed when it was a kid. Even then I knew it was a violation of privacy. They stole all of mom and dad’s processed beef and twelve bucks in my.upstairs bedroom.
When I was married, Our house trailer door was jimmied. We were a half mile away for.an hour. Punk azz kids. Didn’t take but a cassette.tape. Easy take. Deputy called wasn’t worth a hoot…. even though he knew me.
Gonna take prints? No
Gonna get out of your patrol car? No
Worthless
Turned over to the State and they nabbed the.three punks. Everything.was locked or hidden, except.for my deputy.uniform.
Now reinforced doors, three dogs in the house that bark and claw at the door that would.make.u wish you had worn Depends. Security cams with a sign, “Warning. This house and property videoed 24/7” And ya never know when I may return home on what day or time. Always a short boom stick within reach.
“Tracks in the snow”
Reminds me one time. Wife and I returned home after a short trip to town. Son and his cousin home alone. Mid summer. Dry enough to leave tire tracks. Neither one driving age.
Pulled into the driveway. Told wife the kids had taken your Jeep for a little cruise.
I can see tracks and they cross over ours from leaving.
Hey boy. Where’d ya take ma’s Jeep?
Nowhere…
Don’t lie. Where did you go?
Ok, so we….
Be aware of everything in your life.
Even the tiniest detail tells a story.
Also
One winter I noticed different tire tracks in the driveway.
And two different boot tracks leading up to the entry door.
I took cell pictures.of the boot and tire tracks, in case anything was a miss
FYI
You have to sign on in the library to use the internet.
get an account thru proton mail…
I’ve been using proton mail for a couple months now I guess and have gradually made it the primary account. One thing is that Windows doesn’t recognize it as far as setting it up as an alternative. A person needs to log in or open proton mail and then cut/paste any url’s that you might want to send. Other than that it’s just fine to use.
aka/Just Sayin’- thanks for the Swiss proton mail tip.
fwiw- – I try to always clear any shared computer before and after I use it (history, cookies, etc)
“21 Things Your burglar won’t tell you”
Ok… I hate to be such a curmudgeon but the truth is… I don’t have a burglar so there is no way “my” burglar can tell me anything. If the last 71 years of my life is any indication of my interaction or non-interaction with burglars it can be said that burglars, wherever they are, have apparently gone out of their way to stay out of my house, my things and my life. Maybe they are afraid of my stern look or something, I don’t know. Just saying. 😊
All this talk about gaming systems, TV’s, and other large electronic devices is sort of irrelevant. Intruders rarely take these things because they are way too bulky to make a quick escape with. Also would look awful suspicious to see someone carrying a huge flat screen TV down the street. Instead, they are mainly looking for jewelry and other small valuables they can easily stash in their pockets or fanny pack. They will also get more money for the jewelry at a pawn shop than a used TV set would bring.
Mary K. Many people who are burglarized in this manner do not realize that they were burglarized and the jewelry is missing for days, months or years later! Burglars who do this do not even leave a trace that they have entered the house.
Ha! That happened to us.
We haven’t had a chance or motive to use our guns. Yesterday we needed one and to find out they’re ALL missing!
We have no idea when it happened, we do go out of town a lot. Last time we seen them was last August.
Do not set boxes on the curb for pickup.
Anyone can see what you just bought–, big screen, new computer game, etc.
Take the boxes to a dumpster somewhere, or cut them up to fit in a trash/recycle can.
Preferably recycle–
Also do not brag in public about your new stuff!
It might also inform you that I am well trained with my firearms and will not hesitate to kill you should you unwisely decide to enter my castle. .
I normally leave mail in my mail box. To all of a sudden see mail in your box for days while you’re away sends a message.
Outlook doesn’t require a phone number to sign up, but if you ever need to verify the account a phone number is required. Circumstances under which you might need to verify the account include suspension due to suspicious activity. This can happen if your account is ever hacked. If your account is suspended you won’t be able to login until you verify it by SMS.
It’s sad to see so many providers requiring SMS verification these days, but I totally understand why they do it. They have to deal with so much abuse.
The name says it all.
don’t feed the trolls
Mhmmm
I see all the violent, repulsive hillbillies are out in force. Keep listening to those Russians. They know what’s best for this country, and the biggest danger to it is you.
They were just a basket of deplorables
But a majority thought them adorable
I’m running for president said she
You have no choice but to vote for me
But most thought that really deplorable
When Hilary called us deplorables
She thought “Ooo I’m just so adorables”
Then came the defection
She lost the election
And now we’re no longer ingorables
Ignorables
Darn typing dyslexia
ROFL! I like them!
Joe c,
Good response……….well, except for horses not having feathers. It’s well known in liberal/socialist/democrat lore that flying horses and unicorns flourished up until the evil European white male evolved and began the slaughter of everything that was good and perfect. We must man-up (sorry for the bigoted terminology and take our punishment…………or something.
At the moment its head down and get er done,
But when the bell tolls its game on, we are not alone
Dude. You know this is modern survival blog, right? Certifiable kooks living in buried shipping containers. Forget it. I have the same talks with my inlaws and they just quack back whatever Fox and loudmouth radio tells them to.
Just had a guy that looked like a homeless, and he knocked, and me being stupid just opened the door all the way. He pulled out is shattered smartphone, maybe not his. He says, my kid dropped my phone and shattered the screen and shows me it, then I see a kid around 2 plus years old with shirt off wandering around the grass. This guy looked homeless, with a very old worn jacket or coat and pants, like he has been sleeping in the park. I feel sorry for the kid, but the guy kept at it, and said he was my neighbor across the yard. Our place is a duplex, with front and back and other side of yard is another, like it facing the other way. He said he was the one on the other side. I said how do I know your my neighbor? I never saw you before. He pulls a bunch of keys out and says, that he would show me, but only walks part way, and I saw the kid wandering around. He stopped, and I said sorry, but my wifi has been not working since 2 pm, and it was almost 7 pm. Closed the door. My mother is elderly, and if they think of home invasion, that is stupid, when she is home all the time. I do not leave very often either, just on my daily up to 4 hour walks.
Sorry, for misinformation but he asked to use wifi to call his wife.
They will use all sorts of stories and tricks… Glad that you shut the door!
What has Trump done that has made American’s lives better?
He’s made toads like you freak out and show yourselves for what you really are,,,
When im on a trip and stay at a hotel i park over a mud puddle to keep crooks from steeling my converter.
woody,
thats very good advice, thanks