There's a lot more to protecting your home than turning on a security alarm each night.
Because how you see your home may not be the same way a potential burglar sees your home, the consumer finance website Credit Donkey has outlined a number of ways that your home may be making you an easy target for burglary.
According to Credit Donkey some houses are seen as better targets than others and homeowners can likely change that by just taking some extra precautions.
Some of the reasons that Credit Donkey gives for burglary activity are things that most of us don’t even think about or can really control, like living on a corner or near an alley way. Most of us do work during the day, which we wouldn’t want to exactly change.
Heck, some or most of these things might apply to a great deal of you, like the few weirdos who don’t own dogs.
The point is, be vigilant and whatever you do don’t leave your priceless diamond and gold jewelry hanging out in your home’s front window.
You own a gun
If bad guys know for sure you own a gun, they would likely not want to attempt illicit entry in your home, but Credit Donkey argues that gun ownership doesn’t actually matter. It might just mean you have more valuables to protect.
You don’t seem to have a home alarm system
Alarm systems, when working properly, are great theft deterrents.
You’ve been burgled before or your neighbors have
The bad guys might have deduced that you or your area is ripe for the picking.
You live in a corner home, more likely to be targeted by thieves
This makes it easier for a lookout to keep the bad guys aware of activity in the area.
You don’t own but you do rent
Those lowly renters among us better have renter’s insurance.
Your state has relaxed burglary laws
According to a study cited by Credit Donkey, a lack of harsh punishments influenced criminals' decision to engage in burglary.
New neighborhoods attract crime
A neighborhood that’s just coming up will have wide open spaces for bad guys to use.
Your home isn’t well-lit
Get some extra illumination if you can. Bad guys like the darkness.
Low home values and high-crime areas are a magnet for burglaries
A less-affluent area might make burglaries sadly common.
There is no sign of a dog in your home
No sense of a barking theft alarm is a plus for bad guys, no matter what size the dog. Get a bunch of dogs. Don't get broken in to.
You follow a daily routine in terms of coming and going
Mix it up a little. Invite friends over in the middle of the day or night to scare of thieves.
You have a nice car
If there is a high-dollar vehicle or two in the driveway you likely have nice things inside the home.
Excessive locks make bad guys want to get in more
It seems like a good idea but Credit Donkey thinks that you might be inviting the wrong kind of scrutiny.
You hired help to do housekeeping and yard work
Credit Donkey notes that these people could obtain information on how to get inside from these sources.
You don’t have kids at home
Kids would likely deter some bad guys from taking a chance on your home. Hire 250-pound, six feet six inch tall kids to hang around the house if you can
Expensive jewelry is flaunted
All the jewels and bling are very tantalizing for thieves.
Your home is concealed by landscaping
It’s great for privacy and all but it can also make it easier for bad guys to conceal themselves.
You work during the day
We can’t exactly control when we work but Credit Donkey does note that home burglaries are common in daylight hours.
You live near a dark alley, easy for coming and going
It makes it easier for bad guys to get away with things if there is a dark path to and from your place.
Living in a high-traffic area can invite more crime
Plenty of people coming and going can make an escape a bit more inconspicuous.
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