Monday, February 15, 2010

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

THINGS YOUR BURGLAR WON'T TELL YOU:

1. Of course I look familiar. I was here just last week cleaning your carpets, painting your shutters, or delivering your new refrigerator.

2. Hey, thanks for letting me use the bathroom when I was working in your yard last week. While I was in there, I unlatched the back window to make my return a little easier.

3. Love those flowers. That tells me you have taste ... And taste means there are nice things inside. Those yard toys your kids leave out always make me wonder what type of gaming system they have.

4. Yes, I really do look for newspapers piled up on the driveway. And I might leave a pizza flyer in your front door to see how long it takes you to remove it.

5. If it snows while you're out of town, get a neighbor to create car and foot tracks into the house. Virgin drifts in the driveway are a dead giveaway.

6. If decorative glass is part of your front entrance, don't let your alarm company install the control pad where I can see if it's set. That makes it too easy.

7. A good security company alarms the window over the sink. And the windows on the second floor, which often access the master bedroom-and your jewelry. It's not a bad idea to put motion detectors up there too.

8. It's raining, you're fumbling with your umbrella, and you forget to lock your door-understandable . But understand this: I don't take a day off because of bad weather.

9. I always knock first. If you answer, I'll ask for directions somewhere or offer to clean your gutters. (Don't take me up on it.)

10. Do you really think I won't look in your sock drawer? I always check dresser drawers, the bedside table, and the medicine cabinet.

11. Here's a helpful hint: I almost never go into kids' rooms.

12. You're right: I won't have enough time to break into that safe where you keep your valuables. But if it's not bolted down, I'll take it with me.

13. A loud TV or radio can be a better deterrent than the best alarm system. If you're reluctant to leave your TV on while you're out of town, you can buy a $35 device that works on a timer and simulates the flickering glow of a real television. (Find it at faketv.com.)

8 MORE THINGS A BURGLAR WON'T TELL YOU:

1. Sometimes, I carry a clipboard. Sometimes, I dress like a lawn guy and carry a rake. I do my best to never, ever look like a crook.

2. The two things I hate most: loud dogs and nosy neighbors.

3. I'll break a window to get in, even if it makes a little noise. If your neighbor hears one loud sound, he'll stop what he's doing and wait to hear it again. If he doesn't hear it again, he'll just go back to what he was doing.. It's human nature.

4. I'm not complaining, but why would you pay all that money for a fancy alarm system and leave your house without setting it?

5. I love looking in your windows. I'm looking for signs that you're home, and for flat screen TVs or gaming systems I'd like. I'll drive or walk through your neighborhood at night, before you close the blinds, just to pick my targets.

6. Avoid announcing your vacation on your Facebook page. It's easier than you think to look up your address.

7. To you, leaving that window open just a crack during the day is a way to let in a little fresh air. To me, it's an invitation.

8. If you don't answer when I knock, I try the door. Occasionally, I hit the jackpot and walk right in.

Just thought I would share this with everyone. It was an email I got and it's always good to get a reminder.

29 comments:

Mara said...

So crooks don't dress up in black and white striped shirts with those numbers on the front? I think they are cheating!

kyooty said...

Very good reminder.

Welcome to the Garden of Egan said...

I read that somewhere else. Good info.
I haven't a worry in the world....I have the nosiest of neighbors.

purejoy said...

great reminder. my tweets go to my facebook page. there was more than a time or two this past weekend that i thought about announcing our antics knowing that it would end up as my status.

thanks for the reminder. can't be too carefu, right?

purejoy said...

great reminder. my tweets go to my facebook page. there was more than a time or two this past weekend that i thought about announcing our antics knowing that it would end up as my status.

thanks for the reminder. can't be too carefu, right?

Wendy said...

Great Info! We had a break in in our neighborhood a month ago and I have been a little nervous lately! Yikes!

Christina Lee said...

This gives me the shivers....glad about the kids room though- it's like my greatest fear...

Trish said...

Good grief...I never answer my door when there's someone i don't know out there! I will be watching my remarks on facebook for sure and for certain..thank you Deb.

Liz Mays said...

That just totally creeps me out!!! Scary!!

Amy said...

Oh my. I always wonder who may be watching you. I am alone a lot at my house. But I try my best to lock up and do things plus I have my Timmy Dog..

Andrea said...

Hope you are having an awesome week.
Blessings and prayers,
andrea

CM said...

Good points! I wish more people would be aware of these things. You wouldn't believe the things people do that make them a target.

Mommy, I'm Home said...

Thank you, Debby. My house was broken into once and it is the worth feeling to have your space invaded like that, so I appreciate that you shared this with your readers.

Little Penpen said...

Very good.... thanks!

Heart2Heart said...

These are great tips and ones I had never thought of. Since we use our garage as our entry point, I rarely check our front door for anything. Yikes, this was a huge eye opener for me.

Great, great tips!

Love and Hugs ~ Kat

Kristie said...

Thanks for sharing. I doubt a robber would bother looking at our house, but I guess you never know!

Randi Troxell said...

thnx for sharing this..

i am that paranoid type that will soak up any help i can get.. i'll def remember these points..

Sonya said...

I got this in an email from my mom. Definitely lots of good things to think about!

Technodoll said...

Scary and depressing to think that THIS is what the world (society) has boiled down to... Not being able to trust anyone because they are all crooks :(

I'm so glad for my three big dogs!

Lori R. said...

wow,,,, thanks.... glad I am home from vacation!!!

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Those are some great reminders! Thanks for posting them. laurie

Katherine said...

So true! My brother went to prison for theft. I can't tell you how many houses he broke into (I didn't know it BEFORE he went to prison and we don't really talk much since he's been out). I'm sure he uses some of these tactics!

nancygrayce said...

Oh, gosh, I am turning on my alarm now!

christina said...

great reminders.

Caroline said...

Thanx for sharing this.
Caroline

Samantha said...

This is great information thanks for sharing !

The Red Brick Farmhouse said...

Oh, my! :> 0

Thanks for the reminder. You can never be to careful!

Blessings~
Laura

Alexis AKA MOM said...

Been robbed 4 times it's a horrible thing! Good tips!

Sandy said...

Don't get me started on this one. I do not let anyone that I do not know into my house anymore. Not since the chimney sweeps helper asked to use my bathroom (to which I reluctantly agreed) and left with my watch.

Those tips are all good advice.

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