Across the United States alone every year, there are around 2,000,000 burglaries. This works out every six seconds for about one break. By the time you finish reading this sentence … yes, chalk it up … another burglary.
So let’s face it. And let’s face it. If anyone wants what is in your home badly enough, they’ll look at Tom Cruise films enough to find out how to do it. Which brings us to …
Mistake #1
Don’t disclose what’s in your house. Yeah, we know that you are proud of your delicious set of Fabergé eggs. Is this an authentic Nephrite Empire in 1902? We believed one had always been missing. What do we mean, “how do we know about your fetish for jeweled Russian eggs? ” You keep them in a display case in the window picture of your living room. We see them as we walk with the dog every night. Do you think that this collection will not tempt a potential burglar?
Congratulations, by the way, on your new 84 “TV. It’s all done and does in 3D and in your mobile. We read the specs on the box that you had left with the garbage, but figured you had a “real steal,” based on the sticker price of $18,000. So don’t leave the proof that your ticket purchases await the recycler or you can set up a real robbery within your house on a future date.
And speaking of publicity …
Mistake #2
Don’t inform the world nobody is home. Over the years, most homeowners have been informed that newspapers are not being piled up at the front and unpicked mail from the box. Some homeowners have also learned to place the inner and outer light on timers to make them appear like they are occupied.
So what is going on in the digital age now? Everyone wants to show the world their pictures snorkeling in their Hawaiian holidays with wrasse fish in Wailea Bay. In real time. We do this right now! Away from our empty house! Carefully build your social media responsibly.
The truth is that most people who burgle are not pros. “Do Not Make It Easy For Would-Be Thieves Who Really Are Not That Talented,” is the next important concept. Know the old joke, what to do when walking with a group of friends in the forests and you meet a bear? You don’t have to outrun the bear. Just at least one person in your party needs to be able to outrun.
It’s a lot like protecting your home in a neighborhood. Most burglaries are looking for an easy break-in and a quick score. The next house will be easier to enter as soon as he or she hits the least obstacle. Stop these errors to that end …
Related: Home Defense Tactics That You Need To Know Before SHTF
Mistake #3
Do not leave doors unlocked. What is the average burglar’s most common modus operandi?
Walking up to a home, knocking at the door, failing to get an answer and turning the door. If your door doesn’t open it’ll be off at another house to try the same tactics. Just lock your doors.
Mistake #4
Do not depend on low-cost locks. A flimsy firewall between your precious belongings and a possible thief is almost as bad as the open doors. Experienced break-in artists may make regular locks short work. Paying extra at the door for extra security will pay dividends. Every extra second a would-be burglar takes to break a door lock increases the probability of aborting the entire attempt.
Mistake #5
Do not leave ladders in the yard. You spent all the good money on fancy locks but left your extension ladder leaning against the back fence. That’s going to work just fine, thank you so much for getting into the second floor at those unlocked windows. Put those handy burglar tools under lock and key.
Mistake #6
Keep the bushes trimmed around the house. As long as you do your best not to help the average thief, do not provide working cover at doors and windows with large and unruly shrubs that allow intruders to work away from neighbors’ watchful eyes
Mistake #7
If it’s not your stargazing scheduled night, do not leave your yard pitch black. Burglars like nothing better than slithering about in the undetected dark. Don’t urge them on.
Mistake #8
Do not leave keys concealed in the yard. Yes, you ‘re excited about a good hide-and-seek game and you fancy that you are the world’s best darn hider. Trust us. Burglars who have been in their trade for some time already know all the best places to hide. Make friends with a neighbor and leave a spare key over there.
Mistake #9
Counting at your barking dog to stop thieves. See Snoopy lying on the sofa ? Can he really safeguard your valuables? Probably? You may well be right. Yet mount some decent locks and alarms, to be on the safe side.
Mistake #10
Not shoring up the garage door. Above all else, the American urge for convenience has given burglars their least resistant route into most homes. In the hands of a bad guy with a little know-how, the emergency release lever on an automatic garage door can be activated by nothing more than a wire coat hanger in seconds. Buy a key lock for the garage, and settle for some peace of mind for a few moments of trouble.
Start a Home Defense Plan Including Some Smart Protection Systems
It is widely believed that a good place of defense with 10 times the defender’s numbers will hold against an opponent. (same guns)
Being a single person defending a house, you should be mindful of this goal: to withstand the attack of 10 street-smart looters. I ‘m saying “street-smart” because they’re probably going to have a plan as well … maybe they’re going to surround your house … or maybe they’re going to attack at night … or maybe they’re going to set a fire on your house, etc.
When setting up your home defenses, bear in mind the military term OCOKA which stands for:
- Observation and fields of fire
- Cover and Concealment
- Obstacles
- Key Terrain
- Avenues of Approach
Related: How To Protect Your Home During This Pandemic
