a dark home many burglars depend on darkness to hide their criminal acts so they'll steer clear of a well illuminated house leave on porch lights through discourage burglars from approaching entry doors and installed right motion detector lights around your home's perimeter to dissuade them from searching for an open window for added protection installed timers on interior lamps to give the appearance that the house is occupied at all times an empty driveway as burglars prefer breaking into vacant houses empty driveways aren't open invitation for a robbery ask a trusted neighbor family member or friend to park in your driveway when you go on vacation especially if you'll be gone for more than a few days unlock windows and open drapes after they've targeted a home seems often checked for unlocked windows which serve as an easy entry point before you leave the house and before you go to bed close and lock all windows on the ground floor as well as second-floor windows that could be relatively easily accessed also close the drapes so would-be intruders can't scope out the contents of your interior as any expensive object in plain sight may tempt them overgrown lawn and landscape and overgrown lawn and poorly maintained landscaping indicate that residents may be away on an extended vacation what's more unkempt bushes can offer protective cover for intruders as they break into your home keep your plants trim to a height that does not block the view of your windows and mow your lawn regularly if you're planning to take a vacation recruit someone in the neighborhood to keep your yard in shape over sharing on social media most people love sharing vacation updates on social media by posting your travel plans on Facebook or Instagram is akin to putting them be sign in your front yard announcing that you'll be gone keep your property safe by telling only trusted friends about your vacation and refrain from sharing photos until after you've returned home making clear you're on vacation if you're planning a vacation ask a trusted neighbor friend or family member to stop by your home daily to pick up newspapers and packages this person should also double-check your locks to ensure that everything is secure for added safety have the post office hold your mail until you get back home an open or unlocked garage after breaking into an attached garage a burglar can easily find his way into your house make sure to close your garage door whenever you leave home also disable automatic garage door openers if you're going on vacation because some openers can be activated with wire a coat hanger or intercepted radio signals unlocked toward sheds and outbuildings when items are commonly found in storage sheds ladders hammers wire nippers pry bars and a host of other tools that make forced entry into your home of snap always secure your tools after using them and lock your sheds and outbuildings a hidden spare key stashing a spare key inside a planter under a porch rug or behind the mailbox may seem clever but seasoned thieves know the best hiding places instead keep an extra key with a trusted neighbor or install a keypad lock for your front door expensive items on display need to get rid of the box for your new 80 inch flat screen television don't put it on the curb where it will attract the attention of potential burglars safely dispose of boxes for expensive products by cutting them up and tossing them in the trash can likewise don't leave pricey bicycles grills and other valuables in plain view lack of home security not every homeowner can afford an expensive security system but you can deter many burglars by making them think your property is protected placing small security signs in your yard or sticking a security elana window will discourage many intruders similarly homeowners can install dummy security cameras which closely resembled the real deal even at me where if dog sign will determine our um entering your home