Every day in Minnesota, over 60 homes are broken into, and only about 15% of those burglars, or 9 out of 60, will ever be caught. A story by the Twin Cities CBS TV affiliate, WCCO, emphasized that to prevent burglary, it’s important to think like a burglar. Here’s what you should be doing right now to safeguard your home and possessions, before you get burglarized.
1. Write down serial numbers of your electronics
Burglars typically look for high-price electronics they can resell for cash. You have a 95% better chance of recovering stolen items if you have the serial numbers written down. If you have the serial numbers, the police can notify pawn shops and other resale shops to be on the lookout for your things.
2. Store your electronics
Speaking of electronics, keep them hidden or out of sight as much as possible, especially when you’re not home. If a burglar looks in your home and sees valuable technology devices, you are more likely to be burglarized.
3. Close the curtains
Some valuable items are a little harder to store or hide than others (like a TV). Closing your curtains when you leave home will prevent burglars from seeing what valuables you may have. If you regularly leave your curtains open, it may be time to consider closing or partially closing them.
4. Have a good hiding spot
Burglars know the typical hiding spots, such as under the mattress or in a dresser drawer. Hide your valuables in a less predictable place to avoid detection.
5. Plant a fake stash
Keep a “fake” stash with a small amount of money and/or costume jewelry in a fairly obvious or easy-to-find location. Generally, once burglars find a stash, they’ll take that and stop looking.
Taking these steps should help you protect your valuables from thieves or assist you in recovering them if they get stolen. For more information about how a monitored security system can help protect your home and valuables, please contact us.
Updated May 20, 2020