2016

Have You Sent out An Invitation?

Are you leaving an invitation for burglars? Let’s take a quick look at what you may be doing to send that invitation.

Ladders – Have you left your ladder outside behind the house tucked away under a porch? If so, you have left a tool for someone use to get into your home. Some homes are wired for home security, but only on the first floor. Keep them out by locking up your ladders in the basement or garage and having your upper floor windows wired for your protection.

Trash Day – Leaving the boxes of your new toys such laptops and flat-screened televisions, etc. at the curbside for trash pick-up is another invitation. Make it easier for the recycle workers and harder for the buglers, cut and tie up your boxes with the product item descriptions on the inside, then leave it out for pickup.

Trees and Shrubs – always find the time to trim back trees and shrubs near the windows and doors around your home so there is no place for a burglar to hide. If possible, keep entry points visible from the street and install motion-sensor lights at these points to help keep away unwelcome visitors. Only your friends enjoy being in the limelight!

Window and Doors – Remember to lock your windows and doors when you go away. Also, is it time to upgrade your exterior doors to steel-wrapped doors with deadbolts? Not only will it keep a burglar out, but it is more energy efficient.

Mirrors – You would be surprised how many homeowners position a mirror in the entry hall. When a bugler is outside looking in it may be their gateway to view your security system to check and see if the system is armed or if you even have one…Watch out for this!

Vacations – When you go away on vacation leave someone in charge of cutting your grass or plowing and shoveling your snow, picking up your mail, going inside your home to change the position of your curtain so the home doesn’t appear to be unoccupied. Also remember, if you leave your car in the driveway, lock it—your garage door opener may be inside, better yet bring the garage door opener inside.

Safes – How convenient and safe is it to put your valuables into an “easy-to-carry” safe that simply can be carried out of your home? Bolt it down or put your prize possessions into a safety deposit box at the bank.

Social Networking – Be careful what you say to your social networks about your well-deserved vacation on that exotic island (there really isn’t any privacy) and post your pictures after you return.

Tracking – Thought it was fun to use those popular tracking devices to let friends know your whereabouts especially when you visit that great restaurant? You may want rethink that..?

Selling to Strangers – this has become commonplace. Don’t invite a stranger into your home to view all your belongings…if possible meet the potential buyer in a public place or if necessary drag the item into the garage or outside for them to view; it’s going to be moved out of your home anyway.

These are only a few of the things we need to think about in this day and age in reference to how buglers think.

If you have some thoughts regarding this subject, please give us your ideas and we will write about it, let’s brainstorm on how to stay safe.

CREDITS: We did not completely think this article up ourselves…we had lots of help from HomeLogic and an article written by Jan Soulths Walker.

If you have any real estate questions; like lifestyle, affordability and commute times...call The Militello Team today. We live and socialize on the North Shore and are happy to share with you what we know!

Joseph Militello (978) 815-3877
Kathleen Militello (978) 500-1480

We are Realtors North of Boston, on the North Shore.