12 Red Flags Your Home is An Easy Target For Burglars
According to the FBI, burglaries occur every 22.6 seconds in the United States.
Burglars do not necessarily look for the fanciest of homes to rob. They look for the ones with the lowest risk of being caught.
Here are some red flags that your home is an easy target for burglars and what you can do about it.
Not Storing Keys Safely

Storing keys under your doormat, flowerpot, or letterbox is a no-go and makes you an easy target for burglars. It’s the most obvious place for them to look.
Instead of hiding keys around your home, give an extra key to a trusted neighbor. If you move into a new home, rekey the locks.
No Obstacles in Their Way

If your house appears isolated and vacant during working hours, what’s there to stop burglars?
Consider using an alarm system to prevent a break-in. Many alarm systems are available on the market, so shop around and find the best one for you.
One or more dogs outside can also stop burglars from approaching.
Sliding Glass Doors

Sliding glass doors can be an easy entry point if not properly secured. Install a blocking bar along the bottom of the sliding door. This metal or wood bar attaches to the door frame and locks the door into place.
You can also install double-bolt sliding door locks yourself at home. The locks cost about $30 on Amazon and prevent burglars from lifting the door out of its frame.
Open or Unlocked Windows and Doors

This may seem obvious, but easy access points such as open windows and unlocked doors are one of the main methods of unlawful entry.
Keep your doors locked at all times, even in a safe neighborhood. You can buy security film for windows and sliding glass doors, which makes the glass more resistant to shattering.
Deadbolts are like an extra layer of security on doors, which makes residential break-ins much more difficult.
Your House Looks Vacant

The majority of burglaries take place in unoccupied homes. Homes look unoccupied when the yard appears unkept, or the lights are never turned on, even at night. Another signal could be curtains that are always closed.
Ask a friend or family member to stay in your home or use your driveway. If you are leaving for longer periods of time, you can get someone to house-sit.
Stacks of Mail

A sure way to know a home is vacant is mail or packages piling up at the door or letterbox. If you are away, ask a neighbor to collect it. Put a “No Junk Mail” sign on your letterbox to reduce the clutter.
If you are away for longer periods of time, you may also arrange a mail holding service and then collect your mail at a later date from the post office.
Low Lighting

If your yard contains many areas of low light and darkness, burglars may take the opportunity to trespass unseen.
Install security lighting to avoid creating shadows and other dark areas. Your security lighting should be high so it can shine downwards to detect movement.
Sensors may activate the light, thus scaring burglars away when the lights come on.
You Have No Security System

While a security system is not guaranteed to stop burglaries, studies show that it does deter many break-ins. Visual indicators, such as signs in your yard like “CCTV in operation” or “Beware of dog,” can also deter potential burglars from intruding.
Burglars hate attention. Loud alarms and blaring sirens may be just what is needed to get them running in the opposite direction.
You Reveal Your Plans on Social Media

The darker side to the fun vacation beach and slurpy cocktail snaps is that someone may be watching your activity on social media with ulterior motives.
Avoid posting about your upcoming plans and delay posting the vacation shots until you come home. If you really want to post something, send it to your closest family and friends who you know you can trust.
Easily Accessible Sheds or Garages

Sheds can be an easy access point if locks are finicky and easy to break. If you have a shed or garage, make sure it is locked and secured with a good padlock.
Keep tools and bikes secured inside the shed rather than outside, and ensure that you don’t have any ladders or tools lying about your yard that would make the burglar’s job even easier to break in.
Your Garden Is Unkept

Letting your lawn grow to an unkept appearance or failing to trim your trees and bushes gives intruders plenty of hiding places to shield themselves.
Instead, show the house is lived in by mowing your lawns, and consider growing stinging nettles, rose bushes, and other shrubs or plants that make it more difficult for burglars.