Burglars are no doubt getting smart with tips and tricks to get into your house.Casing a house is a term used to describe the way that burglars are watching a home.The way they are analyzing things happening at your place.All they do is to wait for the right time to break into your home.We know knowledge is power.The more we are aware of burglars and their work, the more you will be able to protect your home and loved ones.So, we will divide the whole topic into several parts to make you aware of every important thing that you should pay heed to.
Signs Burglars Are Casing Your Home To Target It
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What are the various signs you need to pay concern to?
1. New Car On Your Street
If you see a vehicle parked on your street for a long time and it does not belong to your neighbor or any person visiting your neighbor then you definitely have the right to get suspicious about it.What should be your next step?Look for signs like dark tinted windows.The reason behind this that stationary vehicles with dark tinted windows are usually used by burglars to keep a track of your daily routine.Next, you should call the police and tell him about the whole thing.
2. Strangers Walking In Street
Living in a society you get familiar with peoples of your neighborhood over a period of time. But sometimes we see unfamiliar people around us. They are trying to give an impression of walking or jogging. But you get to notice that they are spending more time looking at your home, your surroundings. Take it as a red sign. Especially when you see people trying to fake walking in normal clothes.
3. Uncertified Worker
Think of a scenario that you got WIFI installed at your place. After some days an uncertified person comes to your place to look for its condition. Don’t let that person get in immediately. Call the company you got your work done from, in the first place. If they say yes then only let him in. Else, call law enforcement.
4. Unsolicited Visitors
Sometimes, burglars try to get in your home being a professional worker or fundraiser. Never open your gate immediately. Look for them through peepholes or security cameras. Talk to them through your intercom.
5. An Eager Photographer
People love taking photographs. Technology is making burglars advanced in their work. Pay heed to signs like-
- A person clicking pictures of your home and running away.
- A person posing in front of your home.
- A person posing in front of your neighbor’s home.
- A person going back and forth from one home to another home.
You need to be vigilant about it. The next step should be to CALL LAW ENFORCEMENT.
6. Strange Markings On Your Home
Flyers or markings stuck on your home door and walls can be annoying. You should take it as a red sign. Sometimes burglars use it as a trick to put your home on their target list. They put flyers and stickers on homes that are less guarded and easy to break in.
What should you do about it? You should keep removing those stickers and flyers on a regular basis. If you are going out on a vacation ask your friend or neighbor to come to your place to take your mails. Ask him to remove the flyers on a regular basis too.
7. A Broker Window
Before breaking in, some burglars throw stones on your window. They use it as a way to look for your presence at home. If present at home, call the police immediately. Install motion sensor floodlights for the times when you will be away.
8. Problems Of Light Bulb
Lights are burglar’s enemy. We can see them in light. Burglars will unscrew lights around your home. They do this in order to avoid their chances of getting caught.
What should you do from your side? Look for lights if they stop working all a sudden. If you find light bulbs unscrewed, take it as a sign that burglar is trying to get in your home.
9. Missing Trash
Your identity is more valuable than jewellery and cash. Some burglars look for your things like
- Documents
- Social security number
- Birthday
It will help them to know about you and your job details to know you better. What should you do? Shred your documents well before throwing it in the trash. This way it will get difficult for burglars to join the pieces.
10. Untouched Mails
Burglars are observant too. They look for piled up newspapers and mails. This will make them know about your presence at home. If you are going on a vacation then ask your neighbor or friend to take your mails on a regular basis.
11. Missing Dog
Burglars avoid homes with barking dogs. They hate barking dogs. They let the door open in order to let the dog escape. So, they can enter your home as there is no dog now.
Tactics Used By Burglars And How Can You Fool Them
What you see on television regarding burglary by dumb burglars is almost fictional. I ask you not to buy it. Things you should know about burglars-
- They wear masks so that people can’t identify them.
- They wear gloves so no fingerprints.
- They are not afraid to use force, if necessary.
- Indulging in a fight with them will likely result in your death.
1. Dog Burglars
DOGS-Burglars aren’t afraid of dogs. Don’t leave your dog outside. The things burglars can do to your dog are-
- Poison him
- Give him some sorts of drugs
- Offer him food
The best idea will be to keep your dog at home. This way they can protect your home from intruders.
2. Litter Outside Your House
Sometimes, burglars leave trash like-
- Soda cans
- Litter
- Bags
And so on around your house.Take it as a signal. They are trying to target your home.
3. Flyers And Business Cards
Never take business cards from unknown people. Burglars might spray chloroform over it. The minute you touch your face the drug will do its work. Now, it is easy for burglars to rob you, your home without much effort. What you should do is to take your mails after putting gloves on. Get inside, close the door, take off the gloves and then read it.
4. Mailbox
Burglars notice your absence at home. They notice piled up mails and newspaper. Ask someone to take your mails on a regular basis.
5. Power Cut
Robbers take advantage of the power outage to break in. Sometimes burglars do this on purpose. They can cut your landline connection too. Keep a well-charged smartphone with you all the time.
6. Getting Information From Social Media
Burglars can collect information about you from social media as well. So do not post your personal events on social media before going on a vacation.You can do that after returning back from your vacation.
Tactics You Can Use To Fool Them
1. Use Signs
Put signs like-
- You are under the watch of security cameras
- Neighborhood watching signs
- DOGS– At some places, you are not allowed to keep dogs.
What you can do to fool burglars is-
- Keep a dog house in your yard
- Put a food bowl
- Some chains
- Sign on the gate saying “BEWARE OF DOGS”
- LIGHTS- Keeping lights on all the time is not cheap.
You can install motion sensor lights with a timer.It will light up according to the set timer.
2. Dummy Security
No doubt security cameras are very important. For people who have a tight budget, there is one trick for you. To fool burglars you can put dummy security cameras. You can either buy or make them.
What To Do When Your House Getting Cased
Things to keep in mind are-
- Note suspicious activities such as – Makes of the possible vehicle, Time of the event, The appearance of people in question
- Keep your neighbors notified about suspicious activities.
- Inform the police if necessary
- Ask police for more patrolling if your place is burglar prone
- Install home security cameras
- Reinforce possible entrance sites of burglars.
- Keep scanning through recorded footage of security cameras on a regular basis. Most importantly you can use some high-quality theft detection powder on your valuables.
How To Prevent Homes Getting Targeted And Burglarised
1. Do Not Show Off
Do not keep a lot many items in your yard. Roll inside your vehicles into the garage. Do not leave boxes of expensive items anywhere other than the trash bin. Stroll around the house to see things visible in your home when you open curtains,Blinds, Windows etc. Redesign your home is your expensive items are visible to people from plain sight.
2. Tricking Burglars
Burglars avoid to break in when you are at home. Most of the incidents occur when nobody is at home. For that time, you can leave the lights on to create an illusion that someone is at home. You don’t want to waste electricity. RIGHT? I definitely get that. For that, there is a solution. You can install compact fluorescent lights. They are better for the environment and last longer.
3. Secure Sliding Door And Windows
It is very easy to break in through old sliding doors.Install new doors and windows for better protection. To take extra precaution, take a strong dowel, steel bar of two-by-four and slide it into the back groove. This way, even if they get the lock, the rod will stop the door from sliding up and open. Lock your windows well before leaving your home. Install motion sensors too.
4. Do Not Leave A Spare Key
Many people keep their spare key under flower pots. You should not do that. Trust me it’s an open invitation for the burglars.
5. Keep Your Home Line
If you have tall shrubs around your home, make it a point to keep your yard clean. Burglars might use it as their hiding spot to break into your home.
6. Straight Vigilant
Keep yourself updated about the crime scenes in your area. Pay attention to what you are doing.Do not post things on social media about your upcoming vacation, etc.
7. Lock Your Home Well
Around 40% burglary takes place without the use of force. So, keep your doors and windows locked well. Don’t forget to lock your garage too. Double check everything before leaving your home.
8. Call The Police
Remember the police is for your security. Calling up the police can help you stop the crime before it happens. You can tell police about your vacation and request them to drive by your property to keep a check.
Final Talk
Remember to be observant about things.Take time to know your neighbors.You can cut the chances of becoming a burglary victim by keeping your eyes peeled and ears to the ground. A little added effort can take you a long way to protect your home and your safety.
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