Security

None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.

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If you only read a few

Wear your backpack on your chest or hold it in front of you when riding crowded public transit to prevent pickpocketing.
It makes it more secure against pickpockets, prevents knocking others over, and allows you to see the bag itself.
- It may look goofy.
6 people, independently
- Avoid using backpack purses in crowds.1
- If placing a backpack on the floor in a crowded area, loop a strap around your leg or ankle.2
Focus on securing your front and rear doors, as these are the most common points of forced entry.
Data indicates the front door is the number one entry point and the rear door is number two.
one person who lived it
Attach a keychain hook to your belt and clip your backpack strap to it when napping on public transport.
One person used this to get a nice 30-minute nap before leaving the bus.
one person who lived it
Post stickers saying 'Smile! You’re on camera' on windows to create uncertainty for potential thieves.
A thief may avoid a house if they are unsure whether they are being recorded.
- Effectiveness is uncertain.
2 people, independently
Email your local police department when going out of town so they can monitor your property.
They may walk the property daily to check for issues like unlocked windows.
- Some departments may be too busy to provide this service.
one person who lived it

backpack, prevents, public, items18

Place your foot through a backpack strap while seated to deter theft.
5 people, independently
Buy backpacks made with stronger material resistant to simple blades.
It makes it harder for thieves to use sleight of hand.
- It is not perfect.
one person who lived it
Keep cards and valuables inside your clothes instead of carrying a purse.
It is difficult for thieves to reach inside your clothes.
one person who lived it
Keep keys clipped to your belt or body while traveling.
This helps avoid losing keys.
one person who lived it

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Bolt safes directly to the floor rather than to shelves or furniture.
Shelves can be lifted out of closets along with the safe attached to them.
one person who lived it
Weigh your toilet paper roll before leaving and after returning from a trip to check if sheets were used.
The average criminal would not expect this method.
one person who lived it
Keep your laptop bag in the trunk (boot) of your car rather than the passenger area.
It prevents the bag from flying forward during sudden braking and keeps it hidden from thieves when you leave the car.
one person who lived it
Keep valuable items like laptops out of sight to prevent smash-and-grab thefts.
Visible, easily stolen valuables invite thieves to break windows.
one person who lived it
Store feminine hygiene products in glasses cases to keep them protected and discreet in a purse.
The size fits well, blends in, and prevents items from becoming unwrapped or soiled.
one person who lived it
Pay contractors with cashier's checks.
This prevents them from obtaining your checking account numbers from personal checks.
one person who lived it
Perform a multi-step locking routine for cars parked in public: lock the car, hit the lock button again, check the driver's door, then mutter 'car locked' along with a description of your current clothing or the time/day.
Describing your clothing or the specific time allows you to remember that you checked it *today* if you fret later.
one person who lived it
Turn backpack zippers inward toward your body when sleeping in public.
It prevents others from accessing the contents while you are unconscious.
one person who lived it
Ask neighbors to routinely collect mail, packages, and flyers from your doorstep.
3 people, independently
Wear dark sunglasses when napping in public.
It obscures whether you are sleeping so people cannot see immediately that you are vulnerable.
one person who lived it
Keep an older, non-working computer visible as a decoy while hiding newer electronics when traveling.
Burglars typically look for easy items like laptops, cash, and jewelry rather than towers.
one person who lived it
Position hidden cameras at face level rather than high up to capture identifiable features.
High cameras often only capture hair and foreheads, making identification difficult.
one person who lived it
Use mutually agreed-upon meeting locations for exchanges, such as police-monitored spaces with cameras.
It is generally better for safety to have a dedicated space monitored by authorities.
one person who lived it
Avoid clogging congested tourist areas with large group photographs; take individual pictures quickly and move aside for group shots elsewhere.
It prevents blocking access for other visitors who want to see the exhibit.
one person who lived it

security, system, alarm, burglars39

Tell door-to-door or phone security salespeople that you are already satisfied with your current system to deter scammers scouting for vulnerabilities.

Get a large, noisy dog to act as a natural security system and deterrent.
- Some intruders are not phased by dogs.
- Some intruders bring treats to distract dogs.
3 people, independently
Tell door-to-door or phone security salespeople that you are already satisfied with your current system to deter scammers scouting for vulnerabilities.
Many scammers approach doors looking for vulnerable targets.
- This advice applies only to unsolicited door-to-door or phone pitches; if you requested the appointment, the conversation may differ.
4 people, independently
- If a security system salesperson knocks, claim you already have one installed, regardless of the truth.4
Add the known phone number of your home security service to your contacts to verify incoming calls.
This allows you to know when it is and isn't them calling.
one person who lived it
Be aware that professional burglars may jam wireless signals and cut phone lines to disable alarms.
This prevents police alerts when the alarm triggers.
one person who lived it

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Install motion-sensor lights on the exterior of your house.
Sudden bright light makes it difficult for someone to rob a house unnoticed.
2 people, independently
Build relationships with neighbors so they can identify you and flag odd behavior.
Neighbors familiar with you and your regular associates are more prone to spot and report irregularities; strangers will miss signs of trouble.
3 people, independently
If you have a security system, remove the sign to maintain the element of surprise.
Burglars won't be expecting an alarm if there is no sign.
one person who lived it
Secure the internal release rope of your garage door to prevent outside access.
Intruders can unlatch the door from the outside using a wire hanger on the red rope.
one person who lived it
Apply laminate film to windows to make them harder and noisier to break through.
Laminated windows take longer to break and create more noise, which can deter intruders.
one person who lived it
Consider self-installation systems like SimpliSafe for affordable, adaptable protection.
Installation is straightforward, there are no contracts, it has UL listing, cell monitoring with battery backup, and functions (one user noted police were dispatched upon activation).
3 people, independently
Do not rely on dogs as a deterrent; small, yapping dogs may attract unwanted attention rather than scare off intruders.
Intruders may view them as annoying rather than threatening, and some do not fear pets at all.
- Most people do not have aggressive pets.
one person who lived it
- Use a dog as a deterrent against new, sloppy, or impaired burglars, as it is more effective than a sign for this group.1
Avoid displaying pro-gun ownership advertising, such as NRA stickers, on your home or car.
It signals to criminals that guns may be inside, making your house a primary target for search.
one person who lived it
If you fear looking vulnerable, place oversized men's footwear near entryways to imply a large male resident lives inside.
Criminals might hesitate to confront someone of that size, and neighbors may assume you have a large partner.
- In some areas, thieves may steal the boots.
- Spiders may inhabit the boots.
4 people, independently
Place signage and stickers for a security provider other than the one actually installed in your home.
This stops intruders from possessing accurate details needed to bypass your specific setup.
3 people, independently
Change the default password on security cameras to a very strong one using long combinations of symbols to deter brute force hacking.
Even with changes, someone might still hack it, but a strong password deters most brute force methods.
- Someone might still hack it even if you change the password.
one person who lived it
Stay home while contractors are working on your property.
One person discovered via security footage that contractors were partying in their living room while they were at work.
one person who lived it
Recognize that recently sold homes are high-risk targets for burglary because belongings are often packed in boxes and neighbors may not yet know who lives there.
It is less suspicious to see someone moving boxes from a new home to a vehicle in broad daylight.
one person who lived it
Verify that your alarm system is active, as signs alone offer no protection if the service is deactivated.
One person was burglarized despite having ADT signs because previous tenants had deactivated the system.
- Signs are ineffective if the underlying system is not active.
one person who lived it
Do not reveal specifics regarding your home alarm or security arrangements to unknown people.
Strangers might be scouting your property during casual conversation, and their true identity is often unknown.
4 people, independently
Purchase renter's insurance to protect against financial losses from theft.
It is hard to reliably prevent theft, but insurance covers the loss.
one person who lived it
- Maintain renters or homeowners insurance to cover losses beyond what prevention can stop.1
Confirm the legitimacy of service workers (e.g., electricians) by calling their company directly.
That's one way to figure it out.
one person who lived it
Install dummy security cameras as a low-cost deterrent.
Fake cameras are cheap and harder to steal than real ones.
3 people, independently
Install strobe lights inside and outside connected to your security system.
It makes it easier for police and others to identify which house's alarm is going off.
one person who lived it
Use a silent, monitored alarm system instead of a loud siren if facing violent robbers.
Violent robbers may force you to turn off a loud alarm under threat of physical harm; a silent alarm alerts authorities without escalating immediate danger.
one person who lived it
Place security cameras in obvious locations to deter intruders.
Known cameras deter, whereas hidden cameras catch.
3 people, independently
Clean oil buildup from alarm keypad buttons to prevent code entry errors.
Skin oils gum up buttons, causing them to fail to register numbers correctly.
one person who lived it
Verify that door-to-door security sellers hold required state licenses.
Selling without presenting the required license (e.g., PERC) violates the law.
one person who lived it
Do not pick up calls from unrecognized numbers; let them leave a message if it is important.
Answering confirms you are an active number to robocall systems.
one person who lived it
Accept that professional burglars can defeat any alarm system if they are determined to steal your property.
Professionals have the means to bypass all alarm systems.
one person who lived it
Place a generic security system sign in your windows, but ensure it does not list specific models.
Specific model information allows intruders to search online for instructions on how to disarm the system.
- Fake alarm boxes are so common that they may not effectively deter criminals.
one person who lived it
Request an extra police patrol of your home during a family funeral.
Funeral burglars are common and target grieving families.
one person who lived it
Use motion-sensor lights instead of leaving porch lights on continuously.
Motion lights are described as the best deterrent, scaring thieves sneaking quietly, avoiding annoying neighbors, and reducing electricity bills.
2 people, independently
Focus on installing good locks and lights over worrying about social media posts for burglary prevention.
Burglars often stake out neighborhoods and check escape routes rather than targeting specific social media users.
one person who lived it
Ask for the company name and verify that they do not conduct unsolicited door-to-door visits before letting anyone in.
Legitimate security companies typically require customers to call and make appointments first.
2 people, independently
Avoid using Radio Shack branded security signs.
Burglars may ignore them.
one person who lived it
Buy expensive, legitimate brands of security cameras to avoid poor software, lack of updates, and weak security.
Cheaper alternatives often have crap software, won't be updated, and have security like swiss cheese.
one person who lived it

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Use timers to turn lights on and off at random intervals while you are away to simulate occupancy.
It gives the illusion that you are still home when you are on vacation.
- Timers can be easy to detect if they follow a predictable pattern.
2 people, independently
- Use a TV light replicator with a timer and color-changing LEDs to simulate someone watching television at night.1
Be kind and tip well to resort staff, recognizing that their jobs may be understaffed and low-paying.
Supporting their economy helps feed people; some staff have asked guests for food due to poor conditions.
one person who lived it
Do all laundry and wash sheets before departing so the home feels fresh upon return.
It ensures freshness when you come home.
one person who lived it
Set the water heater to vacation mode or turn it off.
It saves energy since hot water is not needed, while maintaining a decent temperature.
one person who lived it

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Use web-enabled security cameras to remotely check appliances and home status.
You can log in from anywhere to verify what the camera is pointed at, provided internet or power is not down.
- Only useful if internet or power remains active.
one person who lived it
Keep secret fishing holes and shellfish gathering spots private to preserve the ecosystem and resource availability.
Publicizing these spots can lead to them being stripped bare and the ecology being trashed.
one person who lived it
Clean out perishable items from the refrigerator and freezer before leaving, keeping only condiments.
Perishables can attract pests like ants if left unattended.
one person who lived it