Like other crimes, a robbery can be a totally random event. However, when planned, there are certain things a thief will look for when monitoring a potential theft, and there are steps the homeowner can take to minimize this risk.
Here’s a good checklist before you leave your home empty or to bolster your protection against theft:
Study your home from the street and look for any valuables that may be visible from the street. Don’t give thieves a reason to show up.
Before going out for any length of time, make sure all windows and doors are closed, including your garage door. Many home invasion burglaries occur through garage doors and interior doors of homes. Doors must have deadbolt locks with a one-inch throw and a reinforced strike plate. Place a piece of wood or metal on the track of the sliding doors to prevent them from opening.
Don’t leave your home in the dark when you’re out, create a sense of activity by using timers on lights, radios, and televisions. Install low-voltage outdoor lighting to keep the surrounding garden well lit. Install motion detectors in dark areas to the sides and rear of the house to alert you to any intruders.
Stop delivering newspapers while you are away and ask your neighbor to collect your mail. You can even ask them to park in the driveway while you are away. Never leave a message on your answering machine saying you are on vacation.
Keep shrubs near your walkway or driveway trimmed; eliminate possible hiding places. Consider planting cacti or rose bushes under windows which can be especially vulnerable. Tell your neighborhood guard that you will not be there.
Make sure your security system is activated when you go out. Engrave your name on all electronic equipment as a deterrent and to assist law enforcement in the recovery of your property. It is more difficult to sell a stolen property that has the owner’s name on it. Make a videotape of your belongings and record the serial numbers.
Get a safe, not only for your jewelry, but also for important paperwork. Identity theft is a growing crime and you want to minimize the availability of your personal records.
The more you can do to deter an intruder, the better your chances that your home will not be targeted. Studies have shown that if it takes more than four to five minutes for a burglar to break into a home, they will move on. If you increase your vulnerability by adding a well-lit area or a barking dog, that minimizes your risk again.