Burglars, what advice do you have for people to protect their homes?

[Sun_Kim-Ai]

Last night we had an encounter with ex-criminals who gave advice to people about how to avoid making themselves a target and protect their valuables and their lives.
An ex-burglar, male, shared that he often just checked on Facebook - people who put vacation photos were just advertising that the house was empty and ready for the picking.
An ex-pickpocket, female, explained the technique she used - an accomplice would fake having been pickpocketed and warn people - inevitably, people would have checked their pockets for their wallets and cellphone, literally broadcasting to her where to pick.

[Anonymous]

If you ever see one of those signs on somebody's lawn that says something like

"secured by ADT home security" steal it. The company will give them another one for free.

Burglers are looking for the easiest homes to hit. If you have a really nice home, that trick isn't gonna do much for you.

[Anonymous]

Per a loved one,

Obscure labels of expensive crap you buy before you get home. I see what you have and I can make a buck off it, you're getting robbed.

If you're taking pills in public, you're definitely getting mugged. I can make a good bit of cash on that.

Never trust anyone to watch your shit.

Don't open the door to solicitors. All it takes is enough room to put their foot in for you to get royally fucked.

Buy a gun, steal a gun or whatever. Get one.

[purplepoppy]

Gravel paths are a deterrent because they're noisy to walk on

[boombastik]

Don't leave trash in view showing expensive items you just bought. Keep lights on in daytime to make it appear you are home. Keep bushes cut low so you don't give them cover. Use a bar for sliding glass doors.

[TrueConfection]

This one gets me. Every December 26th, people have the packaging from the new giant TV they got for Christmas, sitting next to their garbage cans. It looks like advertising to burglars to me.

[Still-alive]

lol how many actual burglars do you think are on GAG?

[Sun_Kim-Ai]

I think that some criminal or ex-criminal might be around, judging from some answers!

[Anonymous]

Not a burger, but have been burgled a few times.

For security ideally have an alarm or dog. Houses which have either will be less likely to be burgled. Also get a visible camera if possible, or even a fake camera is better than nothing.

If you don't have any of those then leave a light, radio, TV on when you go away, and maybe get your neighbour to park on your driveway if they will.

[HighValue]

Motion sensor lights outside, that when you are home, if your light suddenly comes on, you will know that someone if present.

[Anonymous]

Jean Marie Celine, c'est toi?

[OddBeMe]

They all say dogs.