Why It Pays To Think Like A Thief

The best way to find out if your home is burglar-proof is to try breaking into it yourself. And that's a top tip from a former thief!

If you wanted to check that your home is as secure as you can make it, who would you ask? A policeman? An insurer providing home and contents cover? While both would tell you all about window locks and alarm systems, your best bet would surely be to ask an ex-burglar!

And that's exactly what the Prudential did when they approached former thief, Mark Whiteley. Mark was 14 when he committed his first crime and after starting by stealing car stereos and Pringle jumpers from clothes lines, he got in to home and shop burglary and later into buying and selling stolen goods.

At 38, Mark is now a good boy but he's clearly still a chap who knows what makes a home an easy target! And he has the following tips, starting with the most obvious one, which is to try and break into your own home!

Others include:

• Keeping valuables out of sight. In particular, with Christmas looming keep presents away from places where they can be easily seen from the road such as under the tree or on window sills.
  
  
• Closing curtains and leaving some timer lights on if you are going to be out at night.
  
  
• Checking all windows and doors are closed properly, and fitting safety locks to doors and accessible windows wherever possible.
  
  
• Asking a friend or neighbour to keep an eye on the house while you are away or out of the house for long periods.
  
  
• Making sure that you don't leave useful tools lying around the garden such as ladders.

The main thing to remember is that most burglars want to get in and out quickly so security devices that will slow them down are much more likely to lead to them giving up on your house and going next-door instead!

Compare home insurance quotes here at the Fool!