Burglary is an opportunity-based crime. In addition, thieves don’t want to waste time searching through a house for valuables to take, so they just seek in certain obvious places. By concealing your valuables in less obvious locations—and occasionally even in plain sight—you can outwit them.
The ideal places to hide assets, depending on the size and type of the item, are ones that robbers don’t want to look through or wouldn’t bother with, such as places that are awkward or challenging to search, dirty, or uninteresting.
The Top 10 are as follows:
- Emptied books. Criminals frequently lack formal education, which is why they have turned to crime as a source of income. They almost react negatively to books! However, if there are only a few volumes on a shelf, this could be a sign that they are actually being used as hiding places for your valuables. As a result, make sure your library is big enough to be a difficult area to search.
- A fake VHS container or tape. Who still uses VHS tapes? Observe the guidelines for books above once more. Many can be a time-consuming diversion, while a few can be a hint.
- False containers, including fake food cans and boxes, fake cleaning product bottles, fake personal hygiene item containers, and even a large tub of “cat litter,” were found in the bathroom cabinet, under the sink, and in the kitchen. You might wish to save money and make your own false containers as some of the ones currently on the market appear just like false containers.
- In a kitchen or bathroom trash can’s false bottom or underneath the plastic liner. Nobody wants to rummage through your rubbish in the remote chance of discovering something valuable to pawn.
- The food was kept in the freezer’s back section, plastic- and foil-wrapped. In case of a house fire, this is also a good spot to save papers money.
- In a floor safe in the wardrobe of the bedroom. Although the location of the safe may be evident, a thief would have to spend a lot of time and effort—and make a lot of noise—trying to break into it. Floor safes are also often hefty, making them difficult to open and steal entire if they were to be broken into later.
- A house plant’s interior. A plant’s soil can be encased in a waterproof liner that can be raised up to conceal anything underneath using the same technique as for trash cans. Just be sure the objects you’re concealing are housed in water-resistant containers.
- Within a phony wall outlet. Check to make sure it’s not a live outlet or blocking any electrical lines.
- Architectural materials that may be removed or hollowed out, including wainscoting, floor panels, door jambs, window sills, and cabinet doors.
- In the garage, labeled “Christmas Ornaments,” “Kid’s Clothes,” “School Projects,” etc., within boxes. Again, the longer the thief must search—if he is so inclined—to discover something worth stealing, the more boxes you have.
Avoiding Hiding Places:
- Locations where water or invasive material can damage your belongings, such as within a mayonnaise jar that still contains mayonnaise or a paint can that contains paint. You can conceal goods in water (and possibly other places) using high-quality waterproof containers, but err on the side of caution. In your haste to foil a determined burglar, documents, jewels, and gadgets that become wet or get contaminated with chemicals or food particles might be irreparably ruined.
- A box for jewelry. This is a fine spot to keep jewelry that you can afford to lose, but not your grandmother’s vintage wedding band or your diamond tennis bracelet.
- Your underwear drawer, nightstand, or desk drawer. Far too plain.
- Within CD cases true, thieves still favor CDs over MP3s.
- Within DVD cases Depending on the titles, DVDs and Xbox-style games are valued anywhere from $2 to $10 at pawn and resale stores; expect to have your collection completely destroyed during a house invasion.
- Wall safes are normally tiny and light enough to be transported off site and opened later, unless they are high-end and properly installed, and they can be moved by cutting the drywall seam around them. Select the more cumbersome and difficult-to-access floor safe.
- Inner photo frames with faux interiors and backs. These are typically thicker than ordinary picture frames, making them simple to identify as hiding places.
- An oatmeal container. Instead of using your shopping budget, add cookies.
- A lamp base, toaster oven, or HVAC duct are examples of electrical or hot objects. Your entire home could be at risk of fire if you unintentionally set your possessions on fire.
- Any secured container or filing cabinet. No matter what is inside, a locked box will be taken, and with the correct tool and a little work, a locked file cabinet can be opened.
Other Safety Measures
- Make sure your computer, stereo, flat-screen TV, and other valuables are covered by your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance if you can’t hide or lock them away. It’s impossible to protect every object in your home unless you invest in a home security system, and sometimes even then. However, you can take security measures to lock down laptops and smartphones with passwords and enable GPS so that, in the event that they are stolen, their recovery is more possible.
- For the safety of the home’s residents and to prevent theft, firearms should also be securely locked in a gun safe that has been certified and is kept out of sight.
- Your sliding glass patio doors should have a pole in the bottom track to prevent them from being forced open wide enough to allow an attacker to enter. Install window locks that are burglar-proof so you may leave your windows slightly ajar for fresh air but not far enough open for a person to squeeze through.
- Don’t tempt fate by leaving any exterior doors unlocked (including sliding glass patio doors and the door between the garage and the living area), hiding a spare house key outside (under the “Welcome” mat, a large potted plant, statue, or a solitary or fake rock), leaving the doors to your attached garage open (even when you’re home), or leaving the curtains or drapes open so that your valuables are in plain sight. Keep in mind that burglary is a crime of opportunity both your personal property and your personal safety are under danger.
- Don’t overshare personal information with the public by using social media to announce your absence from home. Have a reliable neighbor, friend, or family member check on your house while you’re away and bring in the mail, newspaper, and any weird takeout menus that may have gotten stuck on your doorknob. To illuminate the outside of your property, install security/motion detectors outside and light timers interior. Even if your property isn’t properly safeguarded, go ahead and attach security company stickers to your windows and doors to promote that it is.
Conclusion
Do your best to make your home a challenging, uncomfortable, and time-consuming target so that any would-be intruder will be forced to leave. Additionally, report any suspicious behavior on your street to the police in order to contribute to the safety of your community.