Knowing how to protect your home and your belongings from a thief means knowing what that thief is looking for. Some of the items a modern burglar is trying to access may surprise the average homeowner, and may be items he or she never thought to hide before. Planning a good offensive for keeping burglars away, whether it be with a home alarm system or other type of security measure, must begin with having a good defense. The best defense the average homeowner can have is not inviting or enticing a burglar into the home by displaying top items. Get better acquainted with what valuables might be in your home, at least in the eyes of an intruder, with the list below.
Electronics. Of course this is at the top of every intruder's grab list, since an electronic item not only has appeal, but good resale value. Many of today's items that homeowners don't consider, however, can be left out and in plain view of anyone looking in from the street like iPods, cell phones, cameras, DVDs and CDs. These items are small and easy to make a quick getaway with, while still providing a sizeable financial reward.
Prescription Drugs. Today's designer prescription pills can have higher street value than what the illegal stuff could ever bring. Finding someone with a whole prescription's worth of such a drug can be a big incentive for an intruder to enter. Keep prescriptions locked away for safety reasons from the perspective of not only outsiders, but to keep family members from accidentally or curiously getting into the bottle.
Firearms. When the money gets tight and legal firearms cannot be obtained, stealing is a great way for a ‘criminal of opportunity' to get a quick payday. Although hunting may be your passion, telltale signs that a hunter lives on your property include decorative taxidermy, camouflage items, and deer racks on your car or other paraphernalia like practice targets in the lawn. Instead of hiding your possessions, understand that advertising guns inside is a huge threat to home security and protect yourself with a tamper proof gun safe and a home security system with motion detection around where the guns are kept.
Collections. While nobody may seem to care about your old stamp, baseball card, or coin collection but you, a thief can take his chances on grabbing your possessions and assessing the value later. Anything gathered together in an organized manner that appears to be a valuable collection might be an incentive in the eyes of an intruder.
Identities. While it may seem impossible to put together enough information on a quick "smash and grab" robbery job to successfully complete identity theft, the average bank statement, phone bill, or other official document may have more than enough if sold to a professional. The document doesn't even have to be missing, as intruders can take a few quick snapshots of credit card statements or social security cards and have all the info they need. Selling this info to someone who is an identity theft professional can be lucrative for both thieves; all while leave you blind sighted. Keep private and important documents locked up in a safe to protect your identity post-break in.
Top Items Thieves Want: Protect Your Home Security With Information