When it comes to home security, many of us assume we know what burglars are after – expensive jewelry, high-end electronics, and cold hard cash. But the truth is, burglars often seek out a surprising range of items that you might not expect. From prescription medications to car keys, the valuables that catch a burglar’s eye can be hiding in plain sight. In this article, we’ll unveil the top items on a burglar’s wish list and provide tips on how to keep them secure, so you can better protect your home and belongings from intruders.
1. Prescription Drugs
One of the most surprising items burglars target is prescription medication. They often head straight for the medicine cabinet, as these drugs can be easily sold on the street for a quick profit. Painkillers, anti-anxiety medications, and stimulants are particularly sought after.
To keep your prescription drugs secure, consider investing in a locking medicine cabinet that can be mounted to the wall. This added layer of security can deter burglars and prevent your medications from falling into the wrong hands. Additionally, be sure to properly dispose of any unused or expired medications to avoid them being stolen or misused.
If you have particularly valuable or potent medications, consider storing them in a safe or locked drawer rather than the bathroom medicine cabinet. It’s also a good idea to keep an inventory of your medications and regularly check that nothing is missing.
Remember, even if your medications don’t seem valuable to you, they can be a major target for burglars. Taking these extra precautions can help ensure your prescriptions stay secure and out of the hands of criminals.
2. Personal Documents
While most of us worry about burglars stealing our valuables, we often overlook the importance of protecting our personal information. Burglars may target documents like passports, birth certificates, social security cards, and bank statements to steal your identity or sell your information.
To keep your personal documents secure, invest in a fireproof safe or lockable filing cabinet. Be sure to store these items in a secure location, such as a hidden safe or off-site in a bank safety deposit box. Avoid leaving personal documents in plain sight or in unlocked drawers where burglars can easily find them.
It’s also essential to properly dispose of any documents you no longer need. Invest in a shredder to destroy old bank statements, bills, and other sensitive paperwork before throwing them away. Burglars are known to rummage through trash looking for personal information.
Finally, be cautious about what personal information you share online or on social media. Avoid posting details like your full name, address, or birthdate publicly, as tech-savvy burglars can use this information to target you for identity theft or plan a break-in when they know you’re away.
3. Jewelry and Watches
It’s no surprise that burglars target expensive jewelry and watches when breaking into homes. These items are easy to conceal, transport, and sell for a significant profit. Burglars often head straight for the bedroom, checking dresser drawers, jewelry boxes, and nightstands for these valuable items.
To protect your jewelry and watches, consider investing in an underfloor safe or wall safe. These hidden safes can be installed in closets, under beds, or behind artwork to keep your valuables out of sight and securely locked away. Avoid storing jewelry in obvious places like dresser tops or jewelry boxes, as these are the first places burglars will look.
When you’re not wearing your jewelry or watches, be sure to put them away in the safe. Don’t leave them out on nightstands or dressers, even if you’re just running a quick errand. It only takes a burglar a few minutes to break in and grab these valuable items.
Finally, consider getting your jewelry and watches appraised and insured. In the event of a burglary, having documentation of your valuables can help with the insurance claims process and increase the likelihood of recovering your items if they are found.
4. Cash
Cash is a burglar’s best friend – it’s untraceable, easy to spend, and always in demand. Burglars will scour a home looking for cash, checking everywhere from the traditional cookie jar in the kitchen to the pockets of coats hanging in the closet.
To keep your cash secure, avoid keeping large amounts in your home. Deposit extra cash into the bank, or invest in a high-quality home safe that can be bolted to the floor or wall. If you must keep cash at home, be sure to hide it in a non-obvious place like a hollowed-out book or empty paint can in the garage.
Avoid hiding cash in places like dresser drawers, under the mattress, or in the freezer – these are all common places burglars know to check. Instead, get creative with your hiding spots. Consider tucking cash into an envelope taped under a drawer or even in an empty tampon wrapper in the bathroom (a place burglars are unlikely to look).
Remember, even if you don’t keep much cash at home, burglars will still look for it. Keeping your cash well-hidden and locked away is the best way to prevent it from being stolen in the event of a break-in.
5. Firearms
Firearms are a hot commodity for burglars, as they can be easily sold on the black market for a significant profit. Gun owners often make the mistake of thinking their firearms are secure if they’re hidden away, but burglars know to check closets, under beds, and in dresser drawers for these valuable weapons.
To keep your firearms secure, invest in a high-quality gun safe that can be bolted to the floor or wall. Look for safes with features like biometric locks, which require a fingerprint to open, or tamper-resistant hinges that prevent the door from being pried off. Avoid storing firearms in glass cabinets or unlocked cases, as these can be easily broken into.
In addition to keeping your firearms locked away, be sure to store ammunition separately from the weapons themselves. This adds an extra layer of security and prevents burglars from having easy access to both the gun and the bullets. Consider storing ammunition in a separate locked safe or lockbox.
Finally, avoid advertising the fact that you own firearms. Don’t put NRA stickers on your car or post photos of your guns on social media, as this can make you a target for burglars. The less people know about the valuables you have in your home, the better.
6. Car Keys and Garage Door Openers
While most of us worry about burglars stealing our valuables inside the house, we often forget about the risk to our vehicles. Burglars may target car keys and garage door openers to quickly steal your car parked outside or gain easy entry into your home at a later time.
To keep your car keys and garage door openers secure, avoid leaving them near the front door or in plain sight on kitchen counters. Instead, keep them in a closed drawer or cabinet, out of view from windows and doors. For added security, consider installing a key lockbox or RFID key fob protector to prevent high-tech burglars from intercepting your key’s signal.
If you have a spare key hidden outside your home, be sure to put it in a secure key lockbox rather than under a doormat or in a fake rock. Experienced burglars know to check these common hiding places. Alternatively, consider giving the spare key to a trusted neighbor or friend instead.
In addition to securing your car keys, don’t forget about your garage door. Ensure your garage door opener is not left in your vehicle, as burglars can use it to gain entry into your home. Keep the opener in your house, and consider upgrading to a smart garage door opener with rolling code technology for added security.
7. High-End Electronics
It’s no surprise that high-end electronics like laptops, tablets, smartphones, and gaming systems are at the top of a burglar’s wish list. These items are portable, in-demand, and can be easily sold for cash. Burglars often target home offices, bedrooms, and living areas in search of these valuable devices.
To protect your electronics, consider investing in a safe specifically designed for storing laptops and other devices. These safes often feature charging ports and foam inserts to keep your electronics secure and in good condition. When you’re not using your devices, be sure to store them in the safe rather than leaving them out on desks or nightstands.
It’s also a good idea to record the serial numbers of all your electronics and keep this information stored securely in the cloud or in a safety deposit box. In the event your devices are stolen, having the serial numbers can aid in recovery efforts and help prove ownership if the items are located.
Finally, consider installing tracking software on your devices so you can locate them if they are stolen. Many smartphones and laptops have built-in tracking features, or you can install a third-party app. While this won’t necessarily prevent your devices from being stolen, it can increase the chances of recovering them if they do go missing.
In conclusion, protecting your home and valuables from burglars requires thinking beyond the obvious. By understanding the surprising items that burglars target and taking steps to secure them, you can significantly reduce your risk of falling victim to a break-in. From prescription drugs and personal documents to car keys and electronics, keeping your valuables locked away and out of sight is key to deterring burglars and safeguarding your possessions. Remember, a little extra vigilance and some smart security measures can go a long way in giving you peace of mind and keeping your home and family safe.
