Nobody knows what deters burglars more than burglars. Here’s what former thieves recommend you do to safeguard your home from break-ins.
Kyle Iboshi, investigative reporter at KGW News in Portland, Oregon, surveyed 86 inmates currently serving time for burglary about how they broke in and what homeowners can do to deter other burglars. It came down to four big deterrents anyone can do:
- - Keep your property visible with good lighting, and keep your bushes and trees trimmed.
- - Always leave a TV or radio on when you leave, and keep at least one light on. This was one of the most commonly mentioned deterrents in the survey.
- - Keep an extra car visible in the driveway if possible. Almost every ex-burglar surveyed said that seeing a car in the driveway kept them away.
- - Get to know your neighbors so they can report any suspicious activity to you.
Other tips include getting a dog—a big one, not a small one—posting a security system sign (which doesn’t always work), and getting a visible security camera.
