More than 6 million homes are broken into in the United States each year, often when their owners are away on vacation.
But your house doesn't have to be one of them. Experts say there's plenty you can do to make it tougher for burglars to make off with your possessions.
On The Early Show Tuesday, Kris Connell of Real Simple magazine (www.realsimple.com) shared a few smart moves homeowners can make inside and outside the house to keep a burglar out, or at least minimize his haul!
Seventy percent of burglars are amateurs, opportunists who break in on impulse and steal low-risk items, such as petty-cash boxes and jewelry, according to the Burglary Prevention Council. Another 28 percent are semiprofessionals: They'll observe a home, watch daily routines, or wait until you're away on a trip before striking. Typically, these thieves plan their crime a week or so in advance. Only about 2 percent of burglars are pros who carefully plan, focusing on high-end homes.
The 10 items thieves are usually after, the council says, are TVs, computers (especially laptops) and printers, DVD players and DVDs, stereo equipment, weapons, jewelry and watches, tools, cameras, credit cards and sports equipment, such as golf clubs.
Connell advises that the best defense against a break-in is good neighbors. A trusted neighbor will keep an eye on things while you're away. You can also ask this person to park a car in your driveway on occasion so that it looks like people are coming and going, to shovel your walk if it snows, and pick up your mail. A pile of newspapers on your driveway or front porch is a dead giveaway to anyone passing your house that nobody is at home.
OTHER STEPS TO TAKE OUTSIDE YOUR HOME
Make Sure It Is Well-Lit: Every exterior door should be illuminated with at least a 40-watt bulb. Experts recommend easy-to-install motion-detecting light sensors (starting at about $20 each at home-improvement stores) as well. If a thief is illuminated the minute he walks onto your property, he'll keep moving. You can buy attractive motion-sensing lights that look appropriate next to a front door, as well as more utilitarian models.Advertise An Alarm System, Even If You Don't Have One: While it's best to have the real deal, merely posting a lawn sign or a sticker might make a thief think twice about breaking into your home. Try to get one from a friend or neighbor who has an alarm; experienced thieves can spot a fake. Close Most Shades: If a thief can't see inside, he won't know if there's anything worth stealing. But keep a few shades open on the second floor to make it look as if someone is home. Put Your Street Number, Not Your Name, On The Mailbox: Why put more information out there than necessary, Connell asks. With that piece of knowledge, thieves can dial directory information with your name and street address, then call to see if anyone's home.Censor Your Trash: The box that new flat-screen TV came in announces that you have stuff worth stealing. Cut the carton up and tie the pieces together before you put them out on the curb.STEPS TO TAKE INSIDE YOUR HOME
Put Lights And A Radio Or TV On A Timer: People who leave the lights on all day "might as well put out a sign in their front yard saying they're out of town," says Ann Lindstrom of ADT Security Services. Look for the type of timer that can be set for random on and off times. Otherwise, it's too easy for crooks to get wise to the fact that your lights are coming on at the same time every night. Keep Two Jewelry Boxes And Lock Up Your Valuables: It may sound obvious, but thieves know we all like to hide our most important things under the bed, in a coffee tin, or behind a bookcase. So keep passports, Social Security cards, and the like in a bank safe-deposit box or in a heavy-duty combination safe you can bolt to the floor in a closet. Real Simple also suggests tricking thieves by essentially having two jewelry boxes: Store inexpensive pieces in the nice-looking case on your dresser. Stash the good bits in a safe. A thief may be fooled by the "cheap box" and not bother looking for more.
Brian Dakss
Brian Dakss is a longtime New York-based editor and writer for CBS News, at the Radio network and with CBSNews.com. He has written and edited for NBC News, Dow Jones and numerous radio stations and been a radio anchor and reporter.