Home burglaries: 11 tips to avoid them
5 min read
Last Updated on February 18, 2022 by Aaron Thompson
Summer holidays are always eagerly awaited. However, the same cannot be said for home burglaries. Summer is the time of year when they happen the most. Did you know that 7 out of 10 thefts occur when owners are on vacation?
Since it is now possible to move and travel again, we want to give you some practical tips on avoiding home burglaries this summer.
Vacation Security: 11 Methods To Prevent Home Theft
How to prevent thieves from entering the house? A wide range of sophisticated systems on the market allow you to protect your home from theft, but today we want to talk to you about some “do it yourself” methods to avoid them.
If you are staying in a tourist apartment this summer and therefore leave your house empty for the holidays, take note because we have prepared a list of valuable tips for you.
1. Check that doors and windows are closed before leaving
Even if it seems like a trivial piece of advice, it is one of the most important precautions for home protection. Before leaving the house, check that the doors and windows are tightly closed one last time.
We recommend that you lock all doors, including those facing the neighbors’ courtyard or common areas. Many thieves take advantage of spaces such as courtyards, garages, and cellars to enter homes.
2. Do not lower the blinds
The idea is to create a difficulty. Thieves are unlikely to enter the house if they suspect someone is there. For this, it is always a good idea to leave the blinds halfway, especially in apartments where it is difficult to enter from balconies or terraces.
3. Do not disconnect the electricity
The police advise against turning off the electricity as many thieves ring the bell to check if anyone is home. If the doorbell is not working, they may suspect that the house inhabitants are on vacation.
4. Only inform people you can trust
Even if you want to tell everyone that you are going on vacation for a few weeks, it is best not to tell anyone about it. Any stranger could hear from you and take advantage of your absence to commit a burglary in your home. So act with discretion and only talk about your holidays to people you trust.
5. The morning has gold in its mouth
If you can choose the departure time, we recommend that you leave your home early in the morning to avoid being seen. It is always best not to leave too many clues for thieves to prevent home burglaries.
6. Pretend someone is home
It is one of the most effective techniques. As we have already stated, if a thief thinks there is someone in the house, he will probably not try to commit a robbery. Ask a trusted person to come to your home from time to time to take some strategic actions: turn on the lights, collect mail, or turn on the television.
7. Ask the neighbors to help you out
It is precisely in these moments that we realize the importance of getting along with neighbors. If one of your neighbors suspects someone or sees strange movements in the neighborhood, they can alert the authorities. If a potential thief notices that the police are guarding the community, he probably won’t commit theft.
8. Hide valuables
The perfect loot for any thief is small, easy-to-carry valuables. For this reason, it is never wrong to hide them in a safe place: in your home, in a safe, or in specialized areas intended to store personal effects.
9. Take an inventory
The authorities recommend it, and it is undoubtedly an excellent way to check that nothing is missing when you return quickly. While it sounds overwhelming, it’s essential to know what valuables you have in your home: electronic devices, cash, or jewelry. Make a list indicating the characteristics, the brand, and the serial number if you take a few photos. Even better!
10. Install a home security system
It is always an excellent solution to install a home security system such as an alarm or armored doors. You could also schedule the lights to turn on and off with a timer to ensure your home is protected from theft.
11. Leave a copy of the keys with a trusted person
Often, the films’ protagonists leave the house keys under the carpet, but it is never a good idea in real life. Instead, make sure you leave a copy of the keys with relatives or friends who live near you so that they can come to your house to check that there are no problems.
Don’t worry about installing locks, home security, and replacing locks call locksmith Tampa.
What to do in case of theft?
It is essential to know what to do if your home is stolen. It seems obvious, but sometimes, it’s easy to feel disoriented in complicated situations and make mistakes that should be avoided.
Whether this has happened to you or not, it is essential to know what to do in case of theft:
- First of all, you will need to go to a police station to file a report. Taking this step is very important but not mandatory. If you file a report, the police can investigate what happened, and therefore, you are more likely to recover what was stolen from you. You will also need to contact your insurance company to claim compensation.
- You can file a complaint at any police station.
- While the best thing to do is to file a complaint as soon as possible, there is no time limit for doing so.
- Remember to bring an identification document (identity card, residence permit, or driving license).
- Bring invoices or receipts with you to prove that you own the stolen items.
- If you have seen the thief, you will need to provide detailed information to identify him.
- Take a look at the area where the theft was committed. There may be security cameras, ATMs, or shops so that you may find more information.
- Even if it is your home, we advise you not to touch anything until the authorities arrive.
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