Did you know that burglars often target specific areas in homes first when searching for valuables to steal?
Thieves have known spots where they quickly grab jewelry, cash, or electronics items.
Unfortunately, many people unknowingly leave these areas vulnerable, making it easy for criminals to take their belongings.
Here are the key spots burglars check first when breaking into homes and tips on safeguarding your valuables.
Let’s see if your hiding places are secure or if you need to take extra precautions to protect your belongings.
1. Under the Mattress
One common spot burglars check first is under the mattress, where people hide cash and jewelry.
However, it’s not as discreet as you might think. Burglars know to look there, so use a safe or lockbox for security.
2. Dresser Drawers
Similarly, dressers are a prime target for thieves seeking easy-to-snatch items.
To keep your stuff safe, avoid stashing them in easy-to-reach dresser drawers.
Try adding secret compartments in your dresser or using a bank’s safe deposit box instead.
3. Portable Safe
Portable safes are convenient for keeping valuables safe, but burglars can easily take them.
If you choose a portable safe, ensure it’s either bolted down securely or hidden to avoid theft.
4. Freezer
Some people believe the freezer is a safe place to store valuables because burglars won’t bother looking there. However, experienced criminals are well aware of this trick and often check freezers for hidden treasures.
Instead, invest in a small fireproof safe that can be stored easily and securely bolted in a safe place in your home.
5. Plants
Some people like to hide their valuables in potted plants, thinking that burglars won’t think to look there, but this is another common hiding spot that experienced criminals are aware of.
It’s best to avoid using plants as hiding spots for valuables and opt for a unique and discreet way to store them, such as a hidden safe built into furniture or household items.
6. Medicine Cabinet
Many burglaries are for drugs, making your medicine cabinet a prime target for thieves.
Instead of keeping your prescription medication in the bathroom, consider investing in a locked medicine cabinet or safe to keep them secure.
7. Closets
Closets may seem like safe and hidden places to store valuables, but they are often among the first places burglars check.
If you keep items in your closet, use a locking mechanism or inconspicuously hide them.
8. Vases
A vase might seem like a great place to hide things, but remember, burglars are looking for easy targets and may be drawn to a decorative item like a vase.
If you do choose to use a vase as a hiding spot, make sure it is not easily accessible or visible from the outside of your home.
9. Kitchen Cabinets
Kitchen cabinets are another common hiding spot for valuables, but burglars can easily find them when searching the kitchen.
Consider using a false back panel or hidden compartment in your cabinet to keep items out of sight and securely lock any cabinets that contain valuable items such as jewelry or expensive cookware.
10. Shoe Boxes
Shoe boxes may seem like a clever hiding spot, but they are also a common target for burglars.
Instead of using an actual shoe box, consider creating your own false bottom or compartment within the box to hide small items.
You can also use old shoe boxes as decoy hiding spots, placing them in obvious locations while keeping your valuable items hidden in less conspicuous places.
11. Bedside Tables
Many people keep important items such as wallets, keys, and personal documents on their bedside tables for easy access, making it an easy spot for burglars.
Consider using a diversion safe or hidden compartment within your bedside table to secure these items and make them less obvious to potential thieves.
12. Entryway Table
An entryway table is another common place where people keep their keys, wallets, and essential documents.
Remember, the key is to keep valuable items out of plain sight, making it difficult for thieves to find them, so consider using a lockbox or hidden compartment within the table.
13. Bedrooms
Many bedrooms have TVs, computers, and other electronics that are prime targets for burglars.
Secure these items with sturdy locks or hide them safely when not in use, and install security cameras or alarms in the bedroom to deter potential thieves.
14. Family Room
Family rooms are where families often gather and relax to watch big-screen TVs and use electronics. These items are often lying in plain sight, making them a prime target for burglars looking for valuable items.
Secure any electronics or valuables in this room, and be conscious of what you leave out on display. Expensive items like gaming consoles and laptops can attract unwanted attention from burglars.
15. Home Office
Burglars often target the home office, which may contain valuable items like laptops, computers, and important documents.
Secure any electronics with passwords or biometric locks, and keep sensitive documents in a locked cabinet or safe.
16. Purses and Handbags
Purses and handbags are often prime targets for thieves, as they may contain cash, credit cards, and personal identification.
Be mindful of where you leave your purse or wallet in the house, and consider investing in a small safe to store them when not in use.
17. Mail
A pile of mail left on a kitchen counter or coffee table can signal to burglars that no one is home.
Additionally, avoid leaving any critical documents or bills in plain sight as they may contain personal information that could be used for identity theft.
18. Garage
Many homeowners overlook their garage’s security, yet it can be an easy access point for burglars.
Keep your garage door closed and locked at all times, and consider installing motion sensor lights or a security camera outside the garage.
19. Display Shelves
While displaying your valuables may seem aesthetically pleasing, it can also make them an easy target for thieves.
Consider keeping valuable items out of sight or investing in a lockable display case to protect them.
20. Liquor Cabinet
If you have a liquor cabinet, make sure to keep it locked when not in use. Thieves often seek out alcoholic beverages to resell for profit.
Consider installing a small lock on the cabinet or keeping it in a locked room for added security.
21. Toilet Tank
Storing valuables in toilet tanks was once a popular hiding spot, but it is less secure than you may think, and thieves have caught on to this trick.
Instead of the toilet tank, opt for a secure safe or hidden compartment thieves cannot easily access.
22. Suitcases
While suitcases may seem like a safe place to store valuable items, thieves often target them due to their portable nature.
Consider keeping important documents and valuables in a locked safe instead of in your suitcase while traveling or at home.
If you must keep them in a suitcase while traveling, invest in one with sturdy locks and never leave it unattended.
23. Areas Near Windows and Doors
Burglars target areas near doors and windows as they are easy entry and exit points into a house.
Avoid storing valuable items near these areas, especially if they are visible from the outside. If you have a safe, it’s best to keep it away from windows and doors for added security.
24. Canisters and Cereal Boxes
Believe it or not, burglars often look for valuables inside everyday household items such as canisters and cereal boxes.
These items may seem like an inconspicuous hiding spot, but burglars know to check them first so invest in a hidden compartment in an unexpected location to throw off potential thieves.
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We sadly live in a society where it’s all too common for criminals to want to take what we’ve worked hard to get. The results of a break-in are traumatic, too. Beyond just losing your stuff. Victims often feel violated, anxious, and unsafe, sometimes for years after the event.
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