One of my favorite bloggers at Life in the Boomer Lane recently created a list of ways to deter thieves (and 16 year olds). Don’t miss her hilarious post. It inspired me to expound further because I couldn’t help thinking of additional ways to discourage home and car burglars.
HOW TO SAVE YOUR CAR FROM THIEVES
Dings and Dents are Good
There is a big dent in my car’s back fender and a collection of scratch marks (some rusted) on the side. I purposefully leave it that way. If I cannot afford to repair the dings, would there be anything worth stealing? Thief Mentality: “Skip that car.”
Rich People Don’t Leave Messes
I try to leave garbage strewn around the car – like wadded up tissues, leftover candy wrappers and fast food to-go bags. Rich people usually don’t leave messes. I must admit I am, in reality, an exquisit-ly neat person (and always on a health-food regime) but the question is – why not get a little messy?
Mud and Muck May Help
Our Virginia country lanes are always dusty and I do tend to leave the car unwashed, sometimes muddy, and in dire need of window washing. Getting a clear view of the road is the challenge but it is well known that wealthy people have shiny cars. Thief Psychology: “These people are not rich. Skip that car.”
HOW TO SAVE YOUR HOME FROM THIEVES
No Fancy Front Doors
I really would like to have a fancy front door. Don’t you love those magnificent double doors with stained glass panels that open to a cathedral like foyer with a curving staircase? Well, I have curtailed the impulse. My house is one level (no stairs except to the basement) and there are no cathedral ceilings anywhere.
And of course, a plain unassuming run-of-the-mill front door shouts, “Nothing here of value.” And if it is ugly that’s another bonus because there is surely nothing worth stealing inside the house. Thief Psychology: “Ugly door. Skip that house.”
Get a Big Dog
I have been told by country locals to get a big noisy dog. A big dog is supposed to be the best protection.
Bill and I did have two big beautiful Golden Retrievers named Peaches and Carrie. If someone came to the door I would shout, “DOWN SPIKE!” But they were truly the gentlest kindest dogs I have ever known.
We then inherited a menacing looking dog named Rozie. She stopped strong men in their tracks with her snarling, growling countenance. The trouble was, she was also a big lover whose bite was literally nonexistent. She did kill a groundhog once though (which offered no protection from human thieves).
You can buy audio recordings of barking dogs but I can tell by the static that it’s a recording. I suppose a thief would know that too. A real live biting dog would surely be a greater deterrent.
I do want a dog anyway since having lost our sweet beauties to the ravages of old age, but now considering a cuddly lap dog who may be more vicious after all. Thief Psychology: “Oooops. That little dog may actually bite. Skip that house.”
Do you have secret tips to share too?
Of course the above suggestions for saving home and car are not to be taken literally, but if you try them and are still “burgled”, I hereby claim no responsibility for anything lost, mangled – or stolen.
I find not mowing the lawn and leaving broken furniture in my driveway seems to deter thieves. Having the TV playing “The Lawrence Welk Show” deters the 16 year olds and a number of 30 year olds too…
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I recommend locks and bars. They’ll just go on to the next house!!! Judy
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LOL! I think you are on the right track Andrew. 🙂
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🙂 Undoubtedly the ultimate deterrent – best if they are behind them too. 🙂 ~Dor
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Yes, at times I jest about this but actually once installed I don’t even notice them and it is great to be able to leave doors and windows open to the fresh air.
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I knew that having a dirty car would pay off sometime. 🙂
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Thanks my friend. Now I have a reason to give Mikey for why my car is dirty :).
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I have no tips, Dor. If someone really wants to get into your home or car…they’ll find a way. 😦 When it comes to door dings on your car, I can’t avoid them. No matter how far out in left field I park, a car or shopping cart will be smashed up against my car.
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How about a sign that says “Killer Cats on Premises?” Although I haven’t been burglarized I’m not sure if it’s the sign or just luck. Those retrievers were gorgeous! (as was Rozie)
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Happy to be of assistance! 🙂
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Yes, you can claim, “Safety first Mikey. Safety first!” 🙂
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I have a hunch you are correct Jill about thieves getting in. Our dings and dented bumper are scheduled for repair next week. I will have a shiny new surface to scratch up! 🙂
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“Plague here” might be better than “Killer Cats.” On the other hand, young burglars would probably not know about plague.
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I’m going outside right now and roughing up the car ~ so funny Dorann. Love the beautiful photographs of your dogs, yeah, don’t they look ferocious!!
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I went up close to look at an exotic sports car once and a booming voice yelled out “get away from the car” – I jumped back with heart racing until I realized it was an audio recording that went off when someone approached the car too closely. There are other devices – such as small sensor lights that attach to your vehicle and light up when there is movement.
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Actually, we are scheduled to get the dings fixed! May regret having the shiny new look though. 🙂
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Thanks for the tip BFF…. I will not go up to any exotic sports cars soon. 🙂
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The little dogs often have a bite that’s worse than their bark, so are, I think, a good deterrent.
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Hmmmm…. thanks for letting me know I am on the right track! 🙂
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Our last dog was a ferocious barker and had to be held back whenever anyone came to the door. Our newest will bark, then show you when the fine silver is! 😉
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LOL! 🙂 I love your cooperative canine who loves burglars too. 🙂
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It sounds like you may have outsmarted them!
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