Top 12 Effective Ways to Protect Your Home from Thieves

Sometimes, thieves are not deterred by alarm systems or security cameras. They will break in as quickly as possible, grabbing whatever they can find before the police arrive. With limited time, they tend to look for the best hiding spots, such as bedside tables or closets. In such cases, you can place fake money, jewelry, and discarded documents in a box to make them believe they've stolen something valuable.

Whether you're on vacation or just out for a few hours, a fake TV can protect you from potential burglars. Many models come with built-in sensors and timers, allowing you to program them to turn on whenever you want. They mimic the color-changing patterns of a real TV. Fortunately, they consume less power than regular TVs, so you don't have to worry about high electricity bills.

Thieves often target houses with hard-to-find addresses. That's why displaying your house number on a large sign on the front wall and on the mailbox can be very helpful. In an emergency, the police can easily verify your property. This increases the chances of catching the thief.

Imagine if a burglar enters your home while you are inside and hides in your bedroom. If you have a panic alarm system nearby, activate it to immediately alert the police or any other safety measures you've taken. This alarm system may sound loudly like most alarm systems, but it can also be completely silent. The latter option will help you catch the intruder more effectively than simply scaring them off with the loud noise of the alarm bell.

Sometimes, people unknowingly post pictures of their house keys on social media, which can lead to danger. Specifically, someone could be monitoring your activities and make copies of your house keys just from a single image. All they need is an app to scan the key, create a duplicate, and send it to their home.

In smaller neighborhoods and houses close to each other, burglaries are less frequent. This is because people know each other and look out for one another. Even if you are away, your neighbors will keep an eye on suspicious people lurking outside your home. So, if you're thinking about making a stew, now is the perfect time to connect with your neighbors.

Whether you are away or at home, you should place a bowl full of seeds right behind your front door. If someone enters your home, they are likely to knock the bowl over. They will try to collect all the seeds, but some will inevitably be missed. If you know the exact number of seeds in the bowl, you’ll be able to tell if someone has broken into your space.

This is also an excellent alternative to an alarm system when you're at home. If you hear seeds falling on the floor, you'll know a burglar has entered your house.

Source: Brightside

Many of us have the habit of sharing moments from our lives on social media, but revealing your location can put you at risk. With location tracking systems, burglars may be following your posts.

That's why it's wise not to share your location when posting photos or mentioning upcoming trips. Also, avoid sharing your daily routines online as it provides burglars with a clear picture of when to break in.

Most burglars will knock or ring the doorbell before deciding to break into a home. If they don't hear anything, they may proceed with the break-in. However, if they hear sounds like the TV or music playing inside, they may rethink their plan and leave, assuming someone is home. This is why turning on the radio when you're away can be a helpful tactic.

If you're traveling, you can purchase a smart plug to remotely turn the radio on and off. Early mornings and afternoons are peak times when burglars tend to break in.

If you're planning to be away for several days or even weeks, an empty driveway can look like an open invitation to burglars. Consider asking a neighbor to park in your driveway while you're gone. You might also want to ask a relative to stop by occasionally and check on your belongings and property.