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Someone Asked Ex-Burglars To Share Tips On How To Protect Your Home Against Theft, 30 People Delivered Don't post anything on social media until you have gotten back home. I can't tell you how many neighbors and family have gotten robbed because of this.

SecPhase , Georgia de Lotz Report

Final score:

199points

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Mad Dragon 2 years ago

Absolutely! Don’t brag that you’re on a fabulous vacation. Wait until you’re back home and post a photo dump. Your friends won’t care that you waited a week.

52points

Mybigbrowntitties , Alexa LaSpisa Report

Someone Asked Ex-Burglars To Share Tips On How To Protect Your Home Against Theft, 30 People Delivered I use to do door to door sales for ADT... people would let me in the house and just tell me where all the important stuff was before even verifying I was legit..... don’t do that.

Final score:

177points

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Ayisa 2 years ago

like the 'policeman' in Home Alone

38points

Someone Asked Ex-Burglars To Share Tips On How To Protect Your Home Against Theft, 30 People Delivered My husband is so good at hiding things from burglars that there are a number of valuable items that we have never found again. So hiding things is fine, but remembering where you hid them is just as important.

fizzy_sister , Sammy-Sander Report

Final score:

175points

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troufaki13 2 years ago

Are you certain they didn't get stolen?

88points

Someone Asked Ex-Burglars To Share Tips On How To Protect Your Home Against Theft, 30 People Delivered A recent study showed that burglars come back to the same houses quite often. They do this because of a number of motives.

1: They want to take tings they, for some reason, couldn't take the first time.

2: They're kinda familiar with the house.

3: It's guaranteed that the people they robbed replaced the stuff they stole the first time, often these replacements are of better quality than the original.

So after you get raided take good security measures.

[deleted] , TheDigitalWay Report

Final score:

168points

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Sue 2 years ago

My parents' house got robbed two days in a row. The cops said there was a group of burglars who would send younger ones in to get the small stuff & tip them off on the big stuff.

38points

Someone Asked Ex-Burglars To Share Tips On How To Protect Your Home Against Theft, 30 People Delivered Getting to know your neighbors is a great thing. There were a few times, growing up, that we noticed someone snooping around our neighbors' house, or that they noticed someone snooping around ours. It was always someone who had some legitimate reason to be there, but we always felt good knowing that our neighbors had our backs.

andrew1184 , Barbara Eckstein Report

Final score:

165points

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SoloDadof3 2 years ago

In this day and age, no one trusts each other.

26points

Someone Asked Ex-Burglars To Share Tips On How To Protect Your Home Against Theft, 30 People Delivered One thing on Reddit I read was that having a pair of large work boots on the porch next to the door can deter burglars (unless they know you). It basically says "Someone is home right now, it its possibly a big dude who can hurt you."

dougiebgood , stevepb Report

Final score:

158points

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Ansi 2 years ago

My great grandmother had big shoes and a mans coat in her hallway. It was safer for a woman living alone if guests thought a big man could show up anytime... kind of sad really...

90points

Someone Asked Ex-Burglars To Share Tips On How To Protect Your Home Against Theft, 30 People Delivered Not a burglar but some broke into my family's house 4 or 5 years ago when we were out on a concert. They checked everything - took all money and jewelry they could find.

Except! My room was a mess to begin with. I left piles of clothes on the floor, my study desk messy af, left piles of papers on both desk and floor (i was in a hurry before we all left and was searching for something I can quite remember now.

Now. I had 800€ and golden earrings on my desk, just sitting there.

The burglars opened the doors... and didn't move a thing. Left my 800€ and golden earrings alone and moved to another room.

From then on I have been using this as an excuse why I don't need to clean up my room.

PuzzleBuzzleRuzzle , Ali West Report

Final score:

148points

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LagoonaBlueColleen 2 years ago

I was told by a cop they don't check in kids rooms.

51points

Someone Asked Ex-Burglars To Share Tips On How To Protect Your Home Against Theft, 30 People Delivered If a family member dies, leave someone to house sit the house the deceased lived in.
Years ago a bunch of thieves would look at the funerals section and they would go burglarize houses of the deceased, knowing full well that the whole family was away, down to the exact hour the funerals started.

MistahZig , Scott Webb Report

Final score:

142points

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Vicki Cooper 2 years ago

Weddings as well

61points

#10

Someone Asked Ex-Burglars To Share Tips On How To Protect Your Home Against Theft, 30 People Delivered My grandfather had a huge safe in the basement.

Inside that safe was another, smaller safe.

And inside that other smaller safe was, you guessed it, an even smaller safe.

When he got sick and had to be in the hospital for awhile he started telling everybody, from the people in line at the fast food place to the nurses, how we was okay because all his stuff was in this unbreakable safe in his basement. People thought he was crazy.

Of course what was bound to happen happened and one time when he was out to the hospital someone broke into his home. When he got back maybe a week later, he saw that the first 2 safes we're opened but the guy gave up on the smallest one. Good for him because there wasn't anything in that last safe either. We had a good laugh about it for the 3 years he was still alive, trying to picture the would-be robber's face when he saw the third safe.

So I guess one place you SHOULD keep your valuables is a safe inside a safe inside another safe. Robbers are lazy.

lordpanda , Rob Pongsajapan Report

Final score:

123points

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Vorknkx 2 years ago

Secure... and a great way to troll robbers too!

39points

#11

Someone Asked Ex-Burglars To Share Tips On How To Protect Your Home Against Theft, 30 People Delivered Not a burglar, but a homeowner.

Tips that we have followed:

Do not "hide" a key outside of the house. Under the flowerpot or one of those fake stones? Yeah, professionals can spot those immediately. We have a key safe located in a not-so-obvious location outside of the house, so even if someone sees the box, they still can't get to the key without knowing the combination.

Motion detectors and automatic lighting. We have motion detectors all around the house. If you come up the driveway, into the carport or walk around the side of the house, a floodlight will light your way. This makes it hard to remain undetected if there is a light shining on you.

We have installed locking window handles in our basement and all of the windows in our house are triple-pane glass, so if you want to break in, it is going to be loud and pretty dangerous for you.

Basically, all of these things are related to the "Saint Florian principle" - we try to make our house less attractive for burglars so that they go break into someone else's house instead.

Count2Zero , Maria Ziegler Report

Final score:

119points

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Mad Dragon 2 years ago

We have a lockbox on our door with the key inside. It requires a 4-digit code and is in sight of one of the four cameras monitoring our property. That is much better solution to someone getting locked out than an obvious plastic hide-a-key rock.

38points

#12

Someone Asked Ex-Burglars To Share Tips On How To Protect Your Home Against Theft, 30 People Delivered Your shed. Seriously. LOCK YOUR SHED. Even if your house is well-locked, if your shed isn't, I likely have access to a plethora of tools I can use to gain access.

AlphaTangoFoxtrt , Danielle Rice Report

Final score:

116points

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David Fox 2 years ago

Your lock/security is only as strong as what it's attached to, so NEVER keep expensive tools in a shed or at least chain everything together with one solid thick chain.

20points

#13

I'm not a burglar, but I worked for the largest security company in this country for half a decade.

Burglar alarms do not deter burglars. They just alert you that you have been burglarized. Most of the time the police will take very little action in response due to the fact that 98% of burglar alarm activation constitute false alarms.

The sign that comes with the alarm though? That thing is worth more than the alarm as far as deterring burglars.

My job was to take reports from customers who had been burglarized. (see my first point above)

In all my time doing these interviews and I never interviewed one single burglary victim who owned a medium sized or large sized dog. Not one single time.

That is not to say that no one who owns a dog ever gets burglarized.

I'm just saying that in 5 years of spending 8 hours a day interviewing people who had been, not one single time did I encounter the situation.

I think there is at least SOME statistical validity in that.

TL:DR A big dog is the best burglary deterrent you can possibly have. Better than burglar alarms, signs, guns or expensive locks.

rottinguy Report

Final score:

94points

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BakedKahuna 2 years ago

True. Since my dog passed away I feel less secure in our house. Especially when I am all by myself.

32points

ImAlwaysRightHanded Report

#14

Had my house burglarized by a so-called friend. He missed by far the most valuable thing. it’s just a safe sitting on the laundry room floor. He missed it because I’m a scumbag and had it covered with a mountain of dirty clothes and towels. So not being tidy saved me upwards of $35K.

Final score:

92points

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Lisa H 2 years ago

Pro tip: be a scumbag.

41points

#15

Someone Asked Ex-Burglars To Share Tips On How To Protect Your Home Against Theft, 30 People Delivered Lock your doors and dont leave windows open when you're out.

Dont leave ladders or big garbage bins accessable, they are great for getting to that 1st floor window that's probably not locked.

Going on vacation? dont tell the entire world 2 weeks in advance. Burglars have facebook too.

Dont leave your car keys next to your front door. you're giving potential burglers a great fast exit and a free car.

Leave a light on when you're out. Burglars want empty houses.

If you do hear somebody in your house at night, DONT GO LOOK. Even if you are armed, you're still setting yourself up for a nasty situation. Lock yourself in, baricade your door, call 911.

I'm not a burglar though....

joeri1505 , Alistair MacRobert Report

Final score:

89points

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De Burke 2 years ago

I purposely leave my car keys by the front door. I'd rather they take my car and go than come get me so I can give them the keys. The car is insured.

49points

Jimmy Tam 2 years ago

I would not recommend leaving a modern key fob by an entrance door or window. Thieves can perform a “relay attack”, detecting the signal from your fob and transmitting it to a device closer tot he vehicle to fool it into unlocking doors and possibly starting it. https://www.wired.com/2017/04/just-pair-11-radio-gadgets-can-steal-car/

2points

Rost it 2 years ago

They will steal your car without your keys. They can clone them electronically. Don't keep your keys near doors

2points

Adrienne Mcginley 2 years ago

Insurance! If you're renting, get a rental policy that covers your stuff! It's well worth the cost.

1point

Curry on... 2 years ago

I take my house and car keys to my bedroom.

0points

ItsJess 2 years ago

Someone broke into my house at 12:30am while I was in bed watching TV. Fortunately I had my purse in the bedroom with me- with my car keys in there. I grabbed the keys and the dog and got out through another door (they came in the back kitchen door). Drove a bit away from my house and called the cops. I'd say being able to get out safely (not checking or getting in a confrontation) with the car keys helped a lot- so keep the keys close, not where a burglar is likely to enter the house.

3points

HeatherDPanda 2 years ago

You can't barricade yourself in if you have kids in other rooms. My literal worst nightmare!

1point

John Hackley 2 years ago

"If you do hear somebody in your house at night, DONT GO LOOK, not even if you are armed." Unless you're armed with a Benelli M4 with extended mag. In that case, definitely go look. With knowledge of your own home, you should be able to easily dispatch as many as 8 intruders and save the taxpayers a s**t-ton of coin. In the unlikely event that you're hit by more than 8 simultaneously, my apologies for leading you astray. But you still took out 8 bad guys in trade for one good guy and I thank you for that.

0points

WildHoneyPie 2 years ago

Bless our noisy dogs. Nobody is sneaking into our house...

0points

Flexiegirl94 2 years ago

Grey advise!

0points

Nimues Child 2 years ago

You do sound like someone who's read "A Burglar's Guide To The City", tho'. 😉

0points

Aroha 2 years ago

Leaving car keys by the front door?? What? Is this a thing?? 😅

0points

Marianne Luginbuhl 2 years ago

Yep. You come in side door from garage, and there's a key hook near light switch. Very common.

4points

Scott Moore 2 years ago

Hate to break it to you but if someone breaks into my house and I'm home, I AM GOING TO LOOK, and probably shoot them. My house, my right. Don't want to get shot, don't break into my house while I'm home.

-2points

Lisa Intally 2 years ago (edited)

Here's the thing. If you shoot someone, you are going to have to live with the aftermath everyday. Most people who rob places do so not because they are "bad," but because they are desperate and can't think of another way out. And, with the economic problems stemming from years of apathy and cutting social services made worse by the pandemic, there will be even more desperate people. So, the best form of protection for all of us is improving the standard of living and trying to bring more people into the middle class. Further, strictly from a real estate viewpoint, if someone is killed inside your home, it's now virtually unsellable. And you can't hide it. Some states require you disclose it, but your neighbors will always tell people. It's always best to have a passive defense--alarms, bars, a dog rather than relying on a firearm.

4points

censor 2 years ago

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Memere 2 years ago

The OP never once said to leave the car keys outside. They're talking about people who come in the door & drop the keys on a table by the front door, or put them on a key rack next to the door. Also, I'm curious as to what you've been smoking/snorting/ingesting - you're really on a wild trip here!

4points

Lazy Panda 2 years ago

I have no idea where you're from, but do know you're the one worried about being fed boiling water (???) and really concerned about roof tiles. Clearly there are different concerns in different areas, especially when access varies. Meanwhile, you really need to take a breath. You're coming across as surprisingly pro-burglary.

3points

Upstaged75 2 years ago

No. No one does that. Check your reading comprehension. And stop trying to make yourself sound like a badass - it's lame and makes you seem like a liar.

2points

#16

I'm going to assume having a cop for a neighbor that parks his cruiser in the driveway facing my house is a nice burglar deterrent.

SSmtb Report

Final score:

85points

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Ansi 2 years ago

Hmmm.... that house has 24/7 police security.. they must have some really nice things. 😁

16points

#17

Someone Asked Ex-Burglars To Share Tips On How To Protect Your Home Against Theft, 30 People Delivered Fun fact - aunt died, and had valuables hidden throughout the house. She was a cranky old cur, the one who had a ton of dough, no offspring, didn't donate, and thought she could take it with her. Well, hell. When she died, I helped out my elderly parents clean out her place. Instead of just being able to throw away the junk and pile up the clothes and other items to donation centers, we had to rifle through every pocket, every damn planter, pot and pan, etc. It was sort of fun, but took a hell of a long time. From what I recall, there was a few hundred bucks inside a few planters, 4.5k in the bottom part of an unused planter, under some little foam brick you stick fake flowers into, that was tucked way in the back of a cabinet, jewelry stashed in the arm of a leather couch, more money in some sewing drawer, a few hundred bucks in several jackets, etc. I took forever to go through every goddamn pocket, sock, drawer, container of nails and buttons, etc. Gotta admit, sorta fun as well. She never told any of us that she had money hidden. My mother just had a hunch.

TheSecretofBog , Lesly Juarez Report

Final score:

81points

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Ansi 2 years ago

Hi, Goodwill, could you come and pick.... eh, wait, I got to check something first. 🤑

33points

#18

Someone Asked Ex-Burglars To Share Tips On How To Protect Your Home Against Theft, 30 People Delivered Any safe that's not bolted down and is small enough for 1-2 people to carry isn't safe at all.

RallyX26 , ʎɔ. Report

Final score:

74points

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Priscilla Reshell 2 years ago

I hope there aren't any burglars taking notes on these 😬

21points

#19

Someone Asked Ex-Burglars To Share Tips On How To Protect Your Home Against Theft, 30 People Delivered Buy a Mastiff.

voltairevillain , 947051 Report

Final score:

73points

POST

Ansi 2 years ago

I heard a small yapping dog can be more effective the a big dog. I don't know if that's true but atleast I find them more annoying. 🤣

37points

#20

There's not much you can do to stop a determined intruder. Fortunately, those are very, very rare. Most neighborhood crimes are those of opportunity. I.e., someone left something valuable in an unlocked car or someone left a garage door open all night.

Make your home an undesirable target by installing/maintaining some outside lighting at night (at least a porch light, more if possible). Keep your bushes trimmed and change the landscaping if necessary to prevent natural hiding spots near doors and windows.

Window treatments should include some kind of shear material in addition to any curtains, drapes, or blinds that can be closed. The shear material stays in place (particularly in the front) even when the curtains/blinds are open. This allows light in and you can generally see out, but effectively prevents passersby from seeing inside your house. Leaving the curtains/blinds closed all the time is a bad idea because it leaves the impression people aren't there.

Don't leave toys, yard tools, bikes, or other items outside when you're not using them. Keep the garage door closed, except when you're entering, exiting, or actually outside near it.

Use several lamp timers (I prefer the electronic ones) and compact fluorescent bulbs (to keep the cost of energy down) to turn several lamps on around 5pm-ish and off at 11 or 12pm-ish. You'll use the lights anyway when you're home and the house will appear more occupied when your not.

A neatly kept home that doesn't flaunt valuables is a decent deterrent. Hoodlums might pick a wealthy-looking home hoping to get valuables or a run-down home thinking the owners aren't around much or don't care. You don't have to make your house burglar proof, just less desirable than your neighbors' homes to broken into.

Consider a professionally installed alarm system. I prefer the wired systems that protect the doors and windows over the inside motion detector systems. I'd rather the alarm go off while the burglar is trying to get in rather than waiting until entry is gained. A perimeter (doors and windows) alarm system can be armed while you are home without worrying about a motion detector. The best ones will be monitored by an alarm company, but even one with a loud local siren will scare off someone trying to get in.

DblDkrPkr Report

Final score:

71points

POST

Emerald Ocean 2 years ago

U could try getting inexpensive kid toys and scattering them because then the burglar will think there is small children and you are more likely to be home.

14points

#21

Someone Asked Ex-Burglars To Share Tips On How To Protect Your Home Against Theft, 30 People Delivered Always went with what was easiest. Your door may be locked but I guarantee that there's at least one person on this block who's door isn't. Don't be that person.

Even something as simple as the "protected by alarm company" stickers. Why would I bother taking my chances with that when 2 houses down has no alarm company?

Edit: Feel free to PM me/ ask follow up questions

Thesaltysnal , neshom Report

Final score:

62points

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Johan van Luijn-Hermans 2 years ago

Basically, make sure that you are better protected than your neighbors. I've worked in burglary protection for some years. If they really want something specially from you house, they will come and get it anyway. If they just want "something" from value, they will look for the most safe and convenient way to get it. On sticker, one dog, one (random) timer light, camera, whatever can make the difference. Although it is all useless when you don't lock doors and windows when they are unsupervised.

23points

#22

Someone Asked Ex-Burglars To Share Tips On How To Protect Your Home Against Theft, 30 People Delivered Here are things that would make your house a less attractive target than your neighbors:

When you're not at home, keep your windows closed and locked. Use a bar to keep them from opening. It also helps communicate to the burglar that they would have to break the window to get in. Locking all your windows before you go out takes discipline.

Throw away all of your locks. Not your knobs necessarily (though they may be junk too), but the lock cylinder inside them that your key goes into. Buy Medeco replacements for all your doors. This will prevent the use of super simple to make/use "bump" keys. Don't know what those are...google it and be amazed. 10-12 bump keys (you can get them at most gun shows and sometimes on ebay) can open 90+ percent of US home locks.

Buy an alarm system. Some don't like these because it's a perpetual monthly fee. If money is an object, this one might have to suffer. If not, get the usual door/window alarms, but also get one for glass breakage, and motion.

Buy motion sensitive lights and put them all around your house. Sure your neighbors will hate the false alarms caused by your kid sneaking out to hook up with his friends at the local pub, but removing dark places really sucks for burglars.

Keep your junk in a safe when it's in your house. Credit cards, checkbooks, jewelry, and other stuff that a) is valuable and you want to keep it, and b) that could be used for identity theft, all goes in a safe. Oh, when buying a safe, if you're trying to save money, you're thinking about it wrong. You want a good one, and you want it BOLTED TO THE FLOOR. It's so easy to rob people who leave all this stuff out in the open.

Don't do anything stupid like put a spare key outside your house. Rocks, lockboxes, whatever -- you might as well put a bow on it.

Make sure your garage door and opener aren't from the 80's. It's too easy to buy/make a device that can open your garage. Get a newer one, they're much harder to deal with when trying to brute force the codes.

If your car has a garage door opener in it, you now have to make sure your car is secure -- otherwise, break into your car and you can walk quietly into your home.

And for the love of all that is holy, don't use your twitter or facebook feeds to let people know when you're going to be away from home!! Duh! Not one of these will prevent access to your home if the robber really really wants to get into YOUR house. However, if you do 6/8 to 8/8 of these, most robbers will move on -- it just won't be worth their while when your neighbor's upstairs window is always open. Climbing isn't hard.

[deleted] , iMattSmart Report

Final score:

60points

POST

SeaPanda 2 years ago

Not sure why this comment isn't rated higher.

10points

Dutch Swimmer Goes Viral For Super Revealing Trunks During 2024 Olympics: “Is This Legal?”

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#23

Someone Asked Ex-Burglars To Share Tips On How To Protect Your Home Against Theft, 30 People Delivered You can never be burglar proof, but keep in mind most burglars are simply opportunistic. A motion controlled light at the front and back will deter most criminals. Simple things like that. Leaving a light on or a tv to give the impression there might be someone in the house. A fake camera might help as well, if placed in an obvious location.

Comic-Curious , Dan Eckert Report

Final score:

57points

POST

Eli Fisher 2 years ago

Or a real camera- those Wise or Wyse or whatever cameras work really well and they're pretty inexpensive. You can see everything from your phone and it notifies you when there's motion. Similar to a ring doorbell but not a doorbell.

23points

#24

Someone Asked Ex-Burglars To Share Tips On How To Protect Your Home Against Theft, 30 People Delivered Former crime reporter here. Tampon box and kitty litter are good. I've also seen false outlets that are safe as a safe.

DJGlennW , Laura LaRose Report

Final score:

53points

POST

Marianne Luginbuhl 2 years ago

Thus is a good place to hide valuables. I hid the good chocolate in tampon boxes and never once did my 3 sons or husband find it. FYI growing boys eat a TON.

65points

#25

Someone Asked Ex-Burglars To Share Tips On How To Protect Your Home Against Theft, 30 People Delivered Leaving the television on and a few lights on downstairs can be a help, depending on how many windows you have and where they're positioned. Thieves won't break in if they think someone's home. But, important note--if they wise up to the fact that no one is watching the TV, then it's like hanging out a sign that says "I HAVE VALUABLES!".

Take some self-defense classes. Everyone can and should do this.

And of course, make sure you don't have valuables on display. Crimes of opportunity are the things to avoid.

Moridyn , Erik Mclean Report

Final score:

48points

POST

Tim 2 years ago

I have valuables... Yes, I do have a TV.

5points

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#26

Someone Asked Ex-Burglars To Share Tips On How To Protect Your Home Against Theft, 30 People Delivered I used to be an opportunist for a while, so far from professional, but this is what I have done to my house:

large dog behind privacy fence (dog is a goofy black lab, but sounds awesome)

cameras on the front door / driveway. I always knocked first and would walk away if I knew they took a picture of me doing that.

curtains .. this should be an easy one, but walking down a residential street at night can feel like a best-buy isle.

look your doors and windows when you're not home. always.

don't have all your valuables visible from the front door. pizza delivery pays shitty.

On the car:

keep your car dirty, messy and leave the GPS in plain view. makes even most crackheads quote ackbar.

visibility is the best deterrent i.e. driveway should be well lit and open, otherwise use the garage.

bumper stickers and other aspects that make your car more unique make the vehicle identifiable to your neighbor/coworker - and in turn notice that the person messing with it is NOT you.

The key is to introduce unknowns and to be less attractive then your neighbor.

usingstoleninternet , Mitchell Orr Report

Final score:

46points

POST

Aahzmandus Pervect 2 years ago

"makes even most crackheads quote ackbar." Ecxuse me, what?

28points

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#27

Someone Asked Ex-Burglars To Share Tips On How To Protect Your Home Against Theft, 30 People Delivered Worked my way through college as a locksmith.

Securing the car: Cheap radio. Leave car unlocked if you have nothing in it; maybe they'll try the door before they smash a window. Have a local mechanic put in a "kill switch," which shuts of electricity to your fuel pump. If they manage to try to start the car, it won't turn over- or, if it does, there'll be just enough gas for it to conk out in the middle of the street, forcing them to abandon it. The switch gets installed somewhere not readily apparent by the driver; I know one clever person who put the switch behind the dash, using a magnetic reed switch. A magnet had to be placed on the right place (with the correct polarity) for the car to start.

Leave an oil filter (preferably used) and a filter wrench on the dash, or maybe a socket set and some dirty screwdrivers; anything that makes it look like it needs maintenance. Some kid who wants to joyride your car might go steal someone else's car.

House: Get decent locks. Kwikset is junk. Schlage is mid-line, but probably the most you'll want to spend on the place. Get deadbolts, and secure the "strike" using the screws that come with the deadbolt. The screws go into the wall stud, to defend against kick-in attack. Most locks are installed by carpenters, who don't want to bother with the screws; disassemble the strike, remove the strike cup, and look for the hardened steel thingie with two 3-4" long screws that secure into the nearest stud. If they're not there, put them in. Tip: drill a pilot hole to keep from cracking the stud, and then swipe the long screws on a bar of soap so they can be driven home relatively easily.

No alarm system? Well, a sign that says you have one might help- or it might indicate you have valuables you wish to protect. (The same wisdom goes for an "NRA" sticker- yes, you have guns- but if you're not home, I can break in and steal them, fucker!) Alarm on the cheap: save up aluminum cans, and stack them inside the windows. At least it'll make noise.

Thieves do not think like conventional security: they do not go for strong doors, etc. They go for the weak spots; check your house, and look for the obvious. Examples: windows near the ground, made with plate glass; dog doors or glass-paneled doors that allow access to a deadbolt lever on the inside; ANYTHING you can simply kick/smash to get in; large rocks, etc. that can be picked up and thrown through a window for entry. Some of these are easy to fix; the windows can be replaced with tempered glass, or with Plexi. A hollow-core door (bad stuff for an exterior door, but you see it now and again) can be "fixed" by using short screws driven in from the inside so they will impale the foot during a kick-in attack. Double-cylinder deadbolts will prevent someone from turning the lock from the inside- but they are a fire risk for when people are at home. Either leave a key in the interior lock when occupied, or put a key on a hook, down near the floor, out of reach from exterior attack.

Don't let newspapers build up outside. Keep the exterior of the house neat and clean. Plant nasty shrubs with stickers and needles under any ground-floor windows. Cover the tops of walls with broken bottles embedded in cement. (Useful in a demilitarized zone- but readily bypassed with a bit of carpet and maybe a hammer.) Squad automatic weapons, Claymores, seismic sens- nevermind.

ETA: Interior defense: aluminum softball bat, ball peen hammer, golf clubs- anything you can swing. In the event of an intruder, call 911, stay on the line, and repeatedly cuss out/warn the intruder the police are on their way. Use a cell phone; sometimes they'll cut the landline.

[deleted] , Stephen Andrews Report

Final score:

41points

POST

Nikki Sevven 2 years ago

WTF did I just read?

23points

Woman Moves Out Of Parents' Home After They Asked Her To Give Her Space To Brother, They Freak Out

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#28

Someone Asked Ex-Burglars To Share Tips On How To Protect Your Home Against Theft, 30 People Delivered Put a realistic label outside or fake camera outside, make your house look like it's secured, check out your neighbours see how they 'advertise' their security. Most burglars go for easy targets, if your house looks secure they will avoid it.
having said that do not over do it, otherwise they will think "why are they so secure, they must have something valuable" just 'look' secure to a reasonable level to your area. If the area really is high crime, do not leave or throw away boxes of 'electronic goods' outside, break these up cut them, or burn them, don't stand out, stay under the radar. Be brave but don't risk physical harm to yourself or children protecting material possessions, good luck.
edit - addendum: If you need to leave your house empty, leave a radio on or tv, at night leave a light on. When leaving your house empty, pretend to be ending a conversation and saying bye to 'someone inside'.

itsalawnchair , Tomasz_Mikolajczyk Report

Final score:

39points

POST

Vorknkx 2 years ago

Yeah, I have a label... and it's 100% genuine too. Except that I don't use the services of this security company :D

13points

Woman Refuses To Chip In For Babysitting Because She Doesn’t Even Have Kids, Asks If She’s A Jerk

#29

Someone Asked Ex-Burglars To Share Tips On How To Protect Your Home Against Theft, 30 People Delivered I’m not a burglar but I wouldn’t rob a house with a camera even if you use a fake one it should still deter burglars

Ju5t1n726 , gregden Report

Final score:

31points

POST

Catherine Binder 2 years ago

If you want a not-burglar to not burglarize you use a not-camera. Got it.

16points

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#30

Someone Asked Ex-Burglars To Share Tips On How To Protect Your Home Against Theft, 30 People Delivered Not a burglar, but seriously get a secure electric lock, any non-electric lock can be picked in seconds.

shvelo , olieman.eth Report

Final score:

28points

POST

N G 2 years ago

that's what a burglar would say, when they know that in a few years they'll be able to unlock your electrical lock door before they even step onto your property.

30points

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#31

I have to assume that the 18 steps up from street level are at least some deterrent. We don't even get Jehovah's witnesses.

TacticalLeemur Report

Final score:

9points

POST

Ansi 2 years ago

I used to live om the 4th floor. We had Jehovah's witnesses knock on our door. The apartmentbuilding was from 1942, so no elevator. Maybe these people also have poison ivy on the handrail of the stairs? 😃

4points

"I Didn't Start The Dryer": Karen Gets Taught A Lesson After Throwing Out Neighbor's Wet Clothes

#32

I feel bad being another one of those "I'm not actually one but: people, but:

You know how some landscapers throw bags of rocks with a landscaping ad or business card in them?

Guess what? Some of these are just burglars taking a bunch of pamphlets from a landscaping business, throwing these in your yard. They drive by a day or two later. Whoever didn't pick them up is a much more likely candidate, especially if there was no car in the driveway either time.

rolfraikou Report

Final score:

8points

POST

Ansi 2 years ago

Placing a coin was popular were I live. People pick up coins, so if it was there that could be an indication for an empty appartment. A little bit of tejp on the doorframe also works. Maybe the people next door brings in your mail but no one uses any doors...

3points

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#33

Someone Asked Ex-Burglars To Share Tips On How To Protect Your Home Against Theft, 30 People Delivered Not a burglar, but one thing that def helps, is my house looks like crap on the outside (inside is so much nicer old house that the inside was renovated about 10 years ago) And the entrance of my house is not easy to find unless you know where you are going (getting food delivered is even a hassel i have to wright a paragraph out just giving directions to my door haha )

Therealbenji17 , João Cruz Report

Final score:

7points

POST

Lambchop 2 years ago

So anybody delivering pizza can now find your door?

0points

#34

Someone Asked Ex-Burglars To Share Tips On How To Protect Your Home Against Theft, 30 People Delivered Don't keep valuables in the open. Keep keys in a locked container. Have a home safe that's bolted to the ground. Get motion lights around the home. Don't leave ladders outside.

Dried_Apple , Aubrey Odom-Mabey Report

Final score:

7points

POST

#35

Only tip I have: go to a local Home Depot or something like it. Look for a door brace. Get it.

Mine was maybe $20 and I can't force the door in for shit when it's up. I'll probably die if an ambulance comes wailing to get me in my 4th floor apartment, but fuck if anyone's getting through my front door without completely destroying it.

[deleted] Report

Final score:

7points

POST

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#36

When I was young and dumb I would boost rims off cars, cause you could make quick money and it was less then a felony. The number one deterrent hands down...... Lights. If a place is lit up like a Christmas tree on the outside of a house you stay clear cause it means anyone can see you and see you clearly

bluetoothkid Report

Final score:

6points

POST

#37

There is no excuse for not being able to protect yourself.

Take some self-defense courses. Your husband should as well.

Put one of those stickers on your door that says it's protected by such and such security.

Place various weapons in secret spots throughout your house. Easy access.

Get some of those door jam things and stick them under/on the doors at night before bed.

Put a muddy pair of steel toe boots outside your door.

Zombie_Twatz Report

Final score:

5points

POST

Šimon Špaček 2 years ago

Self-defence course is like first-aid course. Better to have it and never use, than don't having it and needing it. BTW, Krav maga hoodie is not that expansive and it will make you unwanted target for muggers. Also, make sure that you know defence points in your home. For example, we have very narrow and steep stairway and there is a small but heavy table just at the top. It wouldn't fall there by accident, but if I need to block the stairs, it will be easy enough. It is not perfectly safe, but it should be enough for police to arrive if needed.

2points

#38

Someone Asked Ex-Burglars To Share Tips On How To Protect Your Home Against Theft, 30 People Delivered You can't leave any entrance to your house unlocked if you aren't there. Don't leave windows open allowing people to see in and check out your stuff. If you get new stuff, don't leave the boxes by the curb. Nothing screams I just got a new 55" TV than leaving the box by the curb. If you are going to be gone for an extended time and want to put your lights on timers, make sure that you stagger the timers to come on and go off at different times, and have someone look in on your house.

Tomcat1108 , Daniel R. Blume Report

Final score:

5points

POST

#39

Someone Asked Ex-Burglars To Share Tips On How To Protect Your Home Against Theft, 30 People Delivered Not a burglar but you can get tripwire set super cheap. Set up a few of those in your house with blank shotgun shells and if someone does break in it might scare them or alert a neighbor.

the_critical_critic2 , Petar Tonchev Report

Final score:

4points

POST

Ansi 2 years ago

A very US solution. 😲 The rest of the world isn't like: yeah, I'll take this spare shotgun and set that up...

32points

#40

Not a burglar use your burglar alarm whilst out, lock all doors and windows when you are out and in the house. Upload your photos and status when you get back from your holiday, in fact dont bother having social media.

anon Report

Final score:

4points

POST

Christine 2 years ago

About the social media: hear, hear!

2points

#41

if you have the budget dig out a nice moat. if that's not an option a chain link is a good idea. also having good neighbors always helps

Lost_at_see Report

Final score:

4points

POST

oktopus 2 years ago

For completeness, keep a cauldron of boiling oil handy above the main entrance, and don't forget the obligator portcullis. Be careful any sally ports are properly secured. Keep an ear to the ground to check for sappers digging tunnels beneath your walls, and keep enough supplies in stock to cope with a long siege.

8points

#42

Listened to a KFI radio interview when I lived in Los Angeles. Former anonymous burglar said he avoided houses that hung the U.S. flag. Said it told him the occupants likely owned at least one firearm. Would avoid even if it looked as though no one was home.

Drummerdoggie Report

Final score:

4points

POST

Al Christensen 2 years ago

Or it says, "There are firearms here to steal."

2points

Ieva is a writer at Bored Panda who graduated in Scandinavian studies from Vilnius University. After learning the Swedish language and getting completely lost in the world of Scandinavian mythology, she figured out that translating and writing is what she's passionate about. When not writing, Ieva enjoys making jewelry, going on hikes, reading and drinking coffee.

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Gabija is a photo editor at Bored Panda. Before joining the team, she achieved a Professional Bachelor degree in Photography and has been working as a freelance photographer since. She also has a special place in her heart for film photography, movies and nature.

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What do you think ?

POST

Panda in the Fake South 2 years ago

Here is my solution. Be poor and not have anything worth stealing. If they break in and steal something they are just saving me from something I've probably been meaning to haul to the dump anyway.

14points

Al Christensen 2 years ago

Or be a hoarder.

2points

APL 2 years ago

If you want a security animal, get a goose. That was serious advice in the 70s, because burglars might be used to dogs but geese will sh!t them right up.

2points

Kirsten Kerkhof 2 years ago

A tip I used: don't enter your actual home address in your car's GPS. Just get a random address fairly close-by (I put in a business). Otherwise, when a thiefs gets your car key, they can have a car, have the car tell them exactly where it belongs and, because most people keep a house key with their car key, lets them in too! Just enter a random nearby address, you know how to get to your house when you are in the vicinity.

2points

Al Christensen 2 years ago

But most people keep the vehicle registration—with their address on it—somewhere in the car.

2points

LisaMarie 2 years ago

My house was broken into on Mother's Day one year. It happened at around 5pm in full daylight. They tired to get through by smashing the back patio doors, then managed to get in by smashing the back door. Neighbours were both at home and heard nothing apparently (even though there had to have been considerable noise). And my dog would have been barking at them like mad, but it didn't deter them. They took jewellery and money (there wasn't much in the house money wise) and left all the electronic stuff. Caused over 600 euro worth of damage to get into the house, but left with less than 200 euro of items 🙁

2points

Craig Silberman 2 years ago

Few of these are from an ex-burglar, contrary to the headline. Also, do we need ex-burglar posts every week?

1point

marianne eliza 2 years ago

Barrier landscaping works well. Stuff with nasty thorns under all the windows. And along fences. Also, rather expensive unless done at construction time but a panic switch that turns on all exterior and selected interior lights at once. Mounted next to the bed in the main bedroom.

1point

Craig Reynolds 2 years ago (edited)

External solar-powered motion lights. External cameras with motion notifications that are connected to a battery backup. Internal cameras with motion notification. Make sure ALL cameras are connected to cloud storage. I happen to live in a Castle Doctrine state and I'm retired so home most of the time. If you attempt to enter my home while I'm home, guess what? I will let you! Guess what happens to you once you are actually inside? Yeah, no warnings! You are legally just ended...

1point

Fiona Parky 2 years ago

If it grows where you are, the best fence isn’t a fence. The best fence is a blackthorn hedge, properly laid. If it’ll keep a 2 ton bull in a field, it’ll keep out a burglar. You can’t push through it, you can’t climb it, you can’t even lean a ladder over it and anyone who tries is coming out “sliced and diced”. We had a Hereford bull who would walk through an eight bar tubular aluminium gate without breaking stride. He couldn’t get through the hedge.

1point

M Rob 2 years ago

Rose bushes under windows is a good deterrent.

0points

ThumbsUpGuy 2 years ago

you would think this one would be obvious: Don't keep big money in the house. There will eventually be a fire, burglary, or tornado. If you are foolish enough to keep big money (more than $10,000), DO NOT LET THE FACT BE KNOWN, EVEN TO YOUR OWN CHILDREN. They talk. If the right (wrong) persons know you have cash in the house, there will sooner or later be a break-in. I know a successful businessman who had no less than $50,000 in a drawer in his open, unlocked roll-top desk. Yes, the burglar got it.

1point

Sioux White 2 years ago

Had a death in the family and had to leave the property empty for a while. I'd go up weekly but I lived a while away. So I put some heardy house plants in yhe windows. Palms etc that would last a few days without watering. Live plants showed someone was around watering them

1point

Nikki Sevven 2 years ago

Be poor. My house is small and doesn't give the appearance of wealth. My car is a 2008 Honda CRV. My yard is not the typical overly manicured suburban yard, but wilder and more organic. My two dogs bark when anyone sets foot in the yard. No one's tried to break into my house in 25 years. Why would they when there are huge houses right down the street?

1point

Scott F 2 years ago

The remote control to open an overhead garage door is the same as a key. If you park outside, consider taking the remote inside or hiding it from plain sight. .

1point

Eric Mac Fadden 2 years ago

Living in Brazil: high walls, heavy gates, two-stage lobby on buildings, barbed wire (since glass shards upon the walls is illegal), alarms, lock everything every time, cameras (even the phony ones, because most of us can't afford for security) and forget headphones on the street, checking cellphone outside and even getting outside is quite dangerous... if it is in Rio de Janeiro, just don't live there... it's a matter of Bugs Bunny/Florida factor

1point

Christine 2 years ago

Two things: what is the glass shards on walls being illegal bit about? And I'm dying to know what the Bugs Bunny/Florida factor is!

2points

Monica Pryts 2 years ago

"Locking all your windows before you go out takes discipline." What? It shouldn't be that hard.

0points

Kris Paul 2 years ago

Real cameras are not that expensive anymore. They can be wireless, and battery powered. Check out the Eufy cameras on Amazon, and get a kit that includes the home base. Then you can monitor everything with no monthly fee. I have cameras outside every door, I have cameras in my hallways and facing the stairs, and in the garage. I have warning stickers all over the outside of the house as well.

0points

The IRS 2 years ago

Change all the locks when you buy or rent a new place. If it's not obvious why, go back and read all the posts.

0points

Leo Domitrix 2 years ago

So... lock things, don't tell strangers about your life. Got it.:-)

0points

DDmaybeandor 2 years ago

Have a junky looking house and car. If anyone opened my front door they’d just walk back out. Big dog, unfinished floor, kitchen from the 70’s, there’s nothing to steal here.

0points

Monica Pryts 2 years ago

Great, until you get fined for having a disorderly house.

0points

Groon TheWonderdog 2 years ago

Some good advice here. In the main upgrade your window locks/latches. By far the main way people get in. Exit doors should all have deadlocks and motion sensor lights at the corners of the house to spill light along the side. If they can't get in fast and quiet they move on, professional crooks move quick. As for your car, be mindful of where you park. No matter your security a professional car thief will take your car if it's in a area that's dark, no foot traffic etc. Do the best you can in keeping it in well lit areas but even the a pro can be in your car and gone in a minute or so. Sad fact.

0points

Notyomama 2 years ago (edited)

If you have an alarm system, instruct the monitoring station to dispatch first, then call the call list. Accidentally set it off all the time? Just have them do it while you are on vacation. Also, no one pays attention to sirens anymore. Big one or little one, it doesn't matter. As long as the Burglar can hear it, that is all that matters. Pay the extra money up front for transmitters on ALL first floor windows. If your windows do not have a grid in them, get glassbreak detectors in every room. And/or motion detectors. There are some types of glass that glass breaks cannot detect. That "cheap/affordable company? There is a 50 dollar piece of software that can be used to hack it.

0points

Al Christensen 2 years ago

I was never burglarized, maybe because I worked at home, had a car and a truck so there was always a vehicle out front when I was out, and there was an old woman in the neighborhood who stared out her window all day.

0points

Al Christensen 2 years ago (edited)

My car got broken into while I was parked at a concert, and another time while I was parked at a ball game. The thieves knew no one would be back until the end of the show or game.

0points

POST

Panda in the Fake South 2 years ago

Here is my solution. Be poor and not have anything worth stealing. If they break in and steal something they are just saving me from something I've probably been meaning to haul to the dump anyway.

14points

Al Christensen 2 years ago

Or be a hoarder.

2points

APL 2 years ago

If you want a security animal, get a goose. That was serious advice in the 70s, because burglars might be used to dogs but geese will sh!t them right up.

2points

Kirsten Kerkhof 2 years ago

2points

Al Christensen 2 years ago

But most people keep the vehicle registration—with their address on it—somewhere in the car.

2points

LisaMarie 2 years ago

2points

Craig Silberman 2 years ago

Few of these are from an ex-burglar, contrary to the headline. Also, do we need ex-burglar posts every week?

1point

marianne eliza 2 years ago

1point

Craig Reynolds 2 years ago (edited)

1point

Fiona Parky 2 years ago

1point

M Rob 2 years ago

Rose bushes under windows is a good deterrent.

0points

ThumbsUpGuy 2 years ago

1point

Sioux White 2 years ago

1point

Nikki Sevven 2 years ago

1point

Scott F 2 years ago

The remote control to open an overhead garage door is the same as a key. If you park outside, consider taking the remote inside or hiding it from plain sight. .

1point

Eric Mac Fadden 2 years ago

1point

Christine 2 years ago

Two things: what is the glass shards on walls being illegal bit about? And I'm dying to know what the Bugs Bunny/Florida factor is!

2points

Monica Pryts 2 years ago

"Locking all your windows before you go out takes discipline." What? It shouldn't be that hard.

0points

Kris Paul 2 years ago

0points

The IRS 2 years ago

Change all the locks when you buy or rent a new place. If it's not obvious why, go back and read all the posts.

0points

Leo Domitrix 2 years ago

So... lock things, don't tell strangers about your life. Got it.:-)

0points

DDmaybeandor 2 years ago

Have a junky looking house and car. If anyone opened my front door they’d just walk back out. Big dog, unfinished floor, kitchen from the 70’s, there’s nothing to steal here.

0points

Monica Pryts 2 years ago

Great, until you get fined for having a disorderly house.

0points