Being the victim of a home burglary might be one of the worst experiences a person can face. No one wants to come home to broken windows and doorways. Burglars are getting smarter and targeting places many feel are smart hiding spots.
Think twice about hiding valuables in these spots because experienced thieves are looking at these spots in your home.
1. Bedroom Closets
Experienced burglars will immediately go to bedroom closets to look through random boxes looking for valuables. Many people keep jewelry boxes or small safes in their closets to store valuables. Security experts say adding some deception by labeling boxes, “old photos,” or “old receipts” may deter intruders from rummaging through your closet.
2. Under the Mattress
One of the classic hiding places for valuables is under the mattress. Unfortunately, thieves know about it, too. Thieves can quickly flip a mattress and make out with whatever is stuffed underneath. Think twice the next time you think about your mattress as a hiding spot for extra cash or valuable belongings.
3. Small Safes
These small safes might keep your belongings together in one place, but thieves can grab the whole thing and run off if they aren’t attached or mounted to a wall. Burglars want to get in and out with their loot. A mounted safe that requires time to remove will quickly deter these burglars. Look for a place to attach the safe to a wall or a floor for maximum security.
4. Medicine Cabinets
Thieves might rummage through your medicine cabinet for cash stashes or prescription medication. Hiding extra cash in an old medicine container could be an easy item for thieves to grab. Specific prescriptions can be easily refilled and sold on the streets. Hence, medicine cabinets are a top target for intruders.
5. Desk Drawers
Desk drawers can be a gold mine for the bad guys. Valuable documents like bank statements, tax returns, and credit card bills can be used to steal your identity and access your accounts. If you want to hide valuables in an office drawer, hide them in cabinets with locks.
6. Vases
An experienced burglar is going to look everywhere for a quick payday. Often, they will break simple items like picture frames and vases, looking for some stashed loot. A vase can be easily smashed to expose a hidden treasure. Keeping an expensive watch or bracelet in a vase is a good way to get your valuables stolen.
7. Kitchen Drawers
As I mentioned earlier, experienced burglars will look everywhere that is quickly accessible. Opening kitchen drawers takes a few seconds, making them easy targets for burglars. Money or jewelry stashed in a kitchen drawer will disappear in a home burglary.
8. Suitcases
One of the first places an intruder will look when they open your closet is in a suitcase or luggage. Hiding extra cash in a suitcase is not as clever as you think. A briefcase full of valuables is easily transported to their getaway car. Think of it as putting your valuables in a box on wheels.
9. Picture Frames
The back of a picture frame might seem like a perfect spot to hide some extra bills, but that’s become such a common practice that intruders know to search them. They’re easily breakable, so a quick smash can expose hidden cash.
10. Bedroom Drawers
Like your kitchen drawers, burglars will rifle through your bedroom drawers looking for anything worth money. It’s easy for burglars to throw out clothes looking for some cash. Hiding money or jewelry under clothes will not stop an experienced thief from finding what they want.
11. Shoe Boxes/Shopping Bags
Hiding money in a shoe box is like hiding money in a box labeled “free money.” It’s one of the first places thieves will look when they break into your closet. If you have multiple bags with expensive brand logos, you’re even more prone to getting your valuables stolen.
12. Sheds
Sheds can be easily broken into and often contain expensive products like power tools and bicycles. If you need to hide valuables in your shed, throw thieves off your trail by labeling the box “old clothes,” or “old dog toys.” Also, make sure you have cut-proof locks for your shed if you store valuables there.
13. Electrical Boxes
Electrical boxes seem safe, but thieves know that hiding place. You can lock the box to help deter burglars, but they can also be easily broken. You’re better off buying a small safe and bolting it down than stashing money in the breaker box.
14. Freezers
Crafty burglars look everywhere for valuables, even the freezer. Hiding some cash in a used pint of ice cream will not stop a thief from finding it. Whether they’re hungry or just up to date on this new hiding spot, freezers are no longer safe for a nice hiding spot.
15. Entryway Tables
Many people get home, take off their watches or jewelry, and leave them on an entryway table. How easy is it for a burglar to grab something so close to the door? A burglar will go for this place once they’re in the front door and it’s the last place they will stop on their way out.
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