Slobs Get Robbed

image: Witthaya Phonsawat

While there are a hundred different things that would-be thieves look at when finding a home to break into, one thing you can do to help them overlook your house is to keep it well maintained.  If your property is bad need of repair, you send a signal to those looking at entering your house that says you do not pay attention to the details.  People that do not pay attention to details do not remember to arm security systems, fix broken window and door locks, or put expensive tools into a locked shed or garage.


A clean home is a healthy home.  Your mother told you that, and you should always listen to your mother.  Keep landscaping well groomed to avoid hiding places against your house.  Fix things like broken window glass, siding, shingles, etc.  As well as keeping potential harmful water from leaking into your home, these things say to a potential crook that care about your home.  A mailbox is quite literally the first thing that a person might see of your property, so make sure it is rust and dent free.  A quick search for "home maintenance schedule" yields a ton of great pre-made calendars to help keep track of these items and LifeHacker did a fabulous description of all your annual needs along with a downloadable calendar.


Clean up tools and equipment leftover from work you may have been doing around the home and children's toys that were being played with that day.  Not only will these items potentially walk away, while a thief is on your property taking those things, he gets a good look around and will probably be able to look inside your windows. Aside from just creeping you out a little, this gives a thief a look at any other goodies he might want to come back for later.  


Normal daily or weekly maintenance is important too.  Make sure that your lawn gets mowed on a regular basis and take your mail and paper into your house every day to avoid the appearance of a vacated home.  Of course, if you are going out of town and really will have a vacated home, get a neighbor or a housesitter to take care of things.


Take the time to take proper care of your home.  A broken house will be a magnet to criminals that might believe you to be slack in other areas of your life, too.