Four Tips from Burglars on How to Protect Your Home from Burglars

The best people to take advice from are experts. What better way to learn how to protect your home, than from the people who have tried to rob it?

Burglars have been asked for tips on how people can keep their homes protected from, well, them. Here are 4 tips from retired house burglars:

1.  Use a wireless alarm system.

Burglars can easily cut the wires on a less advanced system. One study of 400 convicted burglars found that 60% say they decided not to rob a home because of its alarm system.

Some wireless security systems include ADT, VIVINT, Front Point, SimpliSafe, and Brinks Home.

2.  Put your front porch light on a timer.

Many burglars don't choose your home by chance, they have been watching you and studying your ins and outs. If you leave the porch light on 24 hours a day while you're on vacation, that's a TARGET for burglars, not a deterrent. Use a timer to give the impression that people are actually home.

3.  Have a MEAN dog.

Does a tiny dog scare you? Most likely not. Burglars also don't mind small dogs or even dogs that make some noise.  But they DO hate dogs that attack or bite. Burglars can be dog people too, if you have a nice dog, they are going to rub their belly as they steal your belongings.

4.  Keep your valuable stuff out of your bedroom. 

Burglars usually get in and out in less than 10 minutes.  And they use a good chunk of that time to hit the bedroom dressers and closets for jewelry, credit cards, weapons, and other valuables.

Keep your super valuable items in a secret spot or inside an unmovable safe.

Stay safe out there!