| Chances are you know someone who has had their | | | | grand entrance within one minute, he usually heads to |
| home burglarized, or perhaps you have been a victim | | | | another location. |
| of a home burglary yourself. | | | | Preferred entry is forcing a back door, sliding window |
| Home burglaries almost always leave the victim with | | | | or sliding glass door open. Once inside the burglar will |
| a sense of violation, not to mention a deep sadness | | | | usually head to the master bedroom looking for |
| over the loss of those irreplaceable family heirlooms. | | | | jewelry, money or drugs. Don't hide valuables in a |
| In order to keep your home safe from burglars, you | | | | dresser or lingerie drawer, nightstand or under the |
| need to understand how a burglar's mind works. I | | | | mattress: These are the first spots a burglar will look. |
| have reviewed several interviews with reformed | | | | The next stop may be the living room, dining room |
| burglars over the years and have gathered some | | | | or family room, so don't leave easy-to-sell, high-value, |
| important information in an attempt to help deter | | | | compact items such as laptop computers, iPods or |
| home break-ins. Understanding the criminal mindset | | | | cameras lying around or you can be sure to lose |
| can help keep families safe and secure in their own | | | | them as well. |
| homes. | | | | For the most part, burglars are non-confrontational |
| Burglars quite often start with "curb appeal" elements | | | | and will stay away from areas of entrapment, such |
| of a home. They notice unkempt, overgrown | | | | as basements or attics. In fact, most thieves prefer |
| landscape that often suggests vacancy. Most burglars | | | | single-story homes with the master bedroom on the |
| prefer to break in during the day when most homes | | | | main floor. Corner houses are not a housebreaker's |
| are unoccupied. | | | | favorite, because they tend to be too visible. They |
| Once a prowler has a home in his or her sights, the | | | | aren't targeted as often as middle-of-the-block |
| perpetrator often parks his getaway vehicle on | | | | homes. |
| another street and walks to the target home. Once | | | | Cul-de-sac homes are more of a target because they |
| there, he will nonchalantly knock on the door or ring | | | | are more secluded and usually off the beaten track. |
| the doorbell to determine if somebody is home. | | | | Homes on greenbelts are always a burglar's favorite, |
| If someone answers the door, the thief will make up | | | | offering an easy escape. Townhouses are a favorite |
| some bogus story, usually related to finding an | | | | strictly because they quite often have sliding glass |
| address or selling something. If nobody answers, | | | | doors with poor locking systems. The also have small, |
| chances are the burglar will walk around to the back | | | | secluded, enclosed back yards, making them a dream |
| of the home looking for the easiest, quietest way to | | | | come true for sneaky thieves. |
| gain entry, perhaps through an open window or | | | | But no matter where you live, understanding the |
| unlocked door. | | | | mind of a burglar will help you assess and make the |
| Most burglars don't pick locks because they don't | | | | necessary changes to your home's security to help |
| have the skill or time. If a burglar can't make his | | | | keep you and your family safe. |