No one wants their house to be broken into, whether you’re home or not. It’s happened to me, and the sense of violation alone is enough to make you want to take whatever steps possible to ensure you never have to go through that again.

And while knowing the main things a burglar is looking for might not be able to protect you 100% of the time, it can’t hurt to be informed, right?

#10. Your home is in a convenient location.

If you live near a major highway or bus route, you might be in danger. Likewise, if you live on the outskirts of town or without close neighbors, thieves see a chance to spend some time without being seen.

#9. Your house is empty during the day.

Despite what Hollywood wants you to believe, the majority of burglars are looking to rob empty houses during the day, not houses the contain sleeping occupants at night. A career burglar might watch for a few days in order to try to determine a routine, while others might simply knock to see whether someone answers.

Timers on your lights and making your place look otherwise occupied (like opening the curtains during the day) could be enough to deter some, but unless you can quit your job, there’s not a whole lot you can do to fix a regular, 9-5 routine.

#8. You don’t have an alarm system.

They really do work. If you can afford one, think about investing.

#7. You don’t lock you doors and windows.

It seems like a no-brainer, but thieves will tell you that many people don’t check all of their locks before they leave the house. And while a determined burglar can break through a door or pick a lock, many will simply keep checking until they find one that’s already unlocked.

#6. You don’t have a dog.

A dog might not deter a serious burglar, but someone looking for an easy score would definitely think twice. Also surprisingly, size doesn’t matter – thieves are just as wary of a small, yappy dog that won’t shut up as they are a big, menacing dog. Number one? Train your dog to be wary of strangers.

#5. Your backyard is easily accessed.

A fenced in backyard – one that’s locked – can be helpful since many thieves prefer to break in through rear doors/windows in order to avoid being seen from the street.

#4. You don’t stop your mail on vacation.

It’s a simple call, but if you don’t make it, anyone checking out your house will be instantly aware that you’re not home – and that you won’t be coming home anytime soon.

#3. You have a window air conditioning unit.

Houses and apartments without central air can be targets because thieves can remove it to gain easy access to your house.

#2. You make it obvious that you have nice things.

Do your best not to flaunt your wealth or your nice things from the outside. Don’t put boxes from new televisions, computers, etc out in the recycling, etc.

#1. One of your “friends” sucks.

66% of burglaries are committed by someone the victim knows. They know your routines and they know what sort of stuff you own. It sucks, but it’s true.

The post Home Burglars Reveal 10 Things That Could Make You an Easy Target appeared first on UberFacts.