13 Free Ways to Keep Thieves Away From Your Home

It may seem like a no-brainer, but the first step to preventing theft is to bar the windows and doors—or, at least, to lock them. Burglaries are crimes of opportunity; thieves try a door or a window, and if it is unlocked, they simply waltz (or crawl) right in and take what they want. Always lock doors and windows when you leave the house, even for just a few minutes. The same goes for windows and doors located on upper floors—thieves are good at finding a way up to those those second-story openings!

A sign that reads “Beware of Dog,” may cause potential thieves to think twice before trespassing. These signs can prove effective at frightening off burglars, even if you don’t have a dog. Display signs on all sides and at all entrances to your home. Other signs to consider include ones that say “No Trespassing,” “Neighborhood Watch,” or “Cameras In Use.”

Many burglars case the joint before they strike, looking through windows to see which expensive and portable items are within easy reach of the door. Keep window coverings closed to prevent prying eyes, especially when no one is home.

The majority of burglaries are committed by thieves who live within two miles of their target, which makes it easy for them to observe your home and learn your family’s habits. Try to leave and return home at different times of the day; or have a friend or neighbor visit at irregular intervals.

Use random timers on interior lights and use sunset/sunrise timers on exterior lights. Don’t leave the lights on all the time, because that will signal to burglars that no one is home. Consider installing motion-activated lights in the backyard or near the garage to warn off trespassers.

Sliding doors can provide an easy way in for burglars because their locks are rarely as sturdy as those of conventional doors. Place a wooden dowel, curtain rod, sturdy stick or a rigid bar of metal in the track of your sliding door to prevent it from being opened.

Make sure that your landscaping does not provide an easy hiding place for someone looking to break in. Keep shrubs trimmed well away from first floor windows and doors, and prune any tree limbs that are too close to the house—trees that are too close can give thieves easy access to upper floors.

Turn the radio or television up loud when you’re not at home, and turn the sound on your doorbell down so that if a thief rings the bell, they won’t hear it over the music—and they may think any residents can’t hear it either. You also may want to put the radio on a timer, so that it gives the illusion of someone being home.

If you are going away on vacation, make sure to stop the mail, newspaper delivery and package deliveries. A pile of newspapers or mail is a sure sign to a burglar that no one is home. You also may want to ask a neighbor to stop by regularly to collect any random fliers, take-out menus or papers that might accumulate in your absence.

Talk to your neighbors on a regular basis and discuss any unusual activity or suspicious characters in the area; offer to watch their homes while they are on vacation and ask if they will keep an eye on yours. Better still, organize a neighborhood watch in your area.

Don’t discuss vacation and travel plans on social media sites—many thieves troll these sites looking for evidence that people are away. Similarly, don’t discuss purchases of new and expensive electronics, jewelry or furnishings.

When leaving on a trip, pack your suitcases in the car inside the garage, so no one can see you. Similarly, unpack any expensive new electronics or home furnishings inside the garage, so no one can see what you bought. Always lock the garage door, even when you’re at home.

Even if you don’t want to invest in a pricey alarm system, you can give your home the appearance of protection by using old wiring and obsolete computer equipment to make it look like you have a system. Fasten wires around windowsills and door jambs; place an old webcam in the window, and pretend to “set” the alarm when you leave the house.