The FBI reports that a home in the U.S. is burglarized every 15 seconds. And it's the little things that might be tipping them off. "The majority of thieves are impulsive and don't look much beyond the opportunities that they see," says Joseph B. Kuhns, Ph.D., professor of Criminal Justice and Criminology at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and author of the 2013 study, Understanding Decisions to Burglarize, from the Offender's Perspective.
Sure, you may have a neighbor pick up your mail or set your lights on a timer — but there are other indicators that give away that your home is vacant or that you've got vulnerable spots.
1. TRASH BARRELS ARE OUT — DAYS BEFORE PICKUP.
If your cans are out on Thursday and trash day is Monday, that tells burglars that you're gone for the weekend, according to home security and loss prevention consultant Chris E. McGoey. Also be wary of leaving boxes from that new flat-screen TV or gaming system at the curb — they make the home seem like a more enticing prospect. Plus, they reveal that you have money to spend and perhaps other expensive items in the home.
2. YOU'VE GOT A LOT OF BIG BUSHES.
Entrances shielded by trees and shrubs or that tall privacy fence could provide burglars with the cover they need to fiddle with a lock or force open a door. And according to the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors (NACHI), thieves don't shy away from the main approach: 81% enter through the first floor — 34% right through the front door. Burglars can also hide in tall bushes. "If you have to have them," says Kuhns, "pick a thorny version."
Overgrown grass also suggests that you might be away, or that you're a negligent homeowner more likely to to have faulty windows or doors.
3. THERE ARE WINDOWS ON YOUR GARAGE DOORS.
Obviously, if you leave your garage door open, it offers burglar easy access to your home, but garage windows might also lead to trouble. According to an NACHI survey, 80% of home invaders peeked in garage windows to determine if a homeowner's car was inside (thus revealing if the owner is home or not) — and 9% got in the green light and entered homes through the garage.
4. IT'S CLEAR THAT YOU HAVE A CAT.
Got a car or window decal that signifies your family has a pet? Thieves may assume that if you have a cat, you'll leave windows open so he can come and go during the day. And on the flip side, don't assume that a big dog will keep you safe: Experts say that little "yappy" dogs are actually best at preventing theft because they bark and make the most noise.
5. YOUR NAME IS ON THE MAILBOX.
Sometimes burglars will simply call your home phone to see if anyone answers, putting your name on the mailbox makes it very easy to find your listed number quickly. You should also avoid telling strangers who call you (like telemarketers — or burglars posing as them) a "more convenient time to speak with you." It may sound completely innocent, but your response reveals your schedule, including when you won't be around.
6. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD IS FULL OF RENTAL PROPERTIES.
These areas are more vulnerable to burglars than those with many homeowners, says Kuhns. "The renters are typically concerned only with themselves, whereas in homeowner neighborhoods people have a stake in everybody's safety and they're more likely to pay attention to who's coming and going, and are often more proactive about calling the cops if they see something."
7. YOUR CLEANING SERVICE HAS A KEY.
Service workers who come and go in your home — maids, TV repair people, the pool cleaner, landscapers — can hurt, even if they don't actually steal anything. They may leave a door open for someone else or make a personal copy of your key for them to use later, says McGoey. So instead of giving service workers a key, "require a vendor to see your neighbor to retrieve and return your house key," he advises. "That will send the message that someone is watching."
8. YOU TURN OUT EVERY LIGHT AT NIGHT.
Even when you're home, keep a light on. When everything is dark, McGoey says burglars can more easily prowl around and peek in the windows without being detected. And though the NACHI survey says that most burglaries actually occur in the daytime when many homeowners are typically out, it pays to prevent moonlight recognizance. "Install exterior lights that are activated by motion sensors," advises McGoey. "Burglars suddenly illuminated may flee."
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