A Few Things a Burglar Won't Tell You
 

   Of course I look familiar. I was here just last week cleaning your carpets, cleaning your gutters, or delivering your new refrigerator. 

   Hey, thanks for letting me use the bathroom when I was working in your yard last week. While I was in there, I unlatched the back window to make my return a little easier. 
 
   Love those flowers. That tells me you have taste, and taste means there are nice things inside. Those yard toys your kids leave out always make me wonder what type of gaming system they have.
 
   Yes, I really do look for newspapers piled up on the driveway. And I might leave a flyer in your front door to see how long it takes you to remove it.

 
   If it snows while you’re out of town, get a neighbor to create car and foot tracks up to the front door of your house. Virgin drifts in the driveway are a dead giveaway. 
  And those after the holidays trash runs, its great to see what new things you just added to your home. "Its like window shopping" 
   If decorative glass is part of your front entrance, don’t let your alarm company install the control pad where I can see if it’s set. That just makes it too easy.

   Sound Source alarms the window over the sink. And the windows on the second floor, which often access the master bedroom, and your jewelry. It’s not a bad idea to put motion detectors up there too. 
 
   It’s raining, you’re fumbling with your umbrella or your coat, and you forget to lock your door, understandable. But understand this; “I don’t take a day off because of bad weather”.
  
   I always knock first. If you answer, I’ll ask for directions somewhere or offer to clean your gutters. “Don’t take me up on it.”
  
   Do you really think I won’t look in your sock drawer? I always check dresser drawers, the bedside table, under the mattress and the medicine cabinet.
  
   Here's a helpful hint: I almost never go into children’s rooms. 
 
   You're right: I won’t have enough time to break into that safe where you keep your valuables. But if it's not bolted down, I'll take it with me and open it on my own time.

   Sometimes, I carry a clipboard. Sometimes, I dress like a lawn guy and carry a flier. I do my best to never, ever look like a crook.

   Two things I hate: Loud dogs and nosy neighbors. 

   I’ll break a window to get in, even if it makes a little noise. If your neighbor hears one loud sound, they might stop what their doing and wait to hear it again. If they don't hear it again, they will just go back to what they were doing. It’s human nature.
 
   I’m not complaining, but why would you pay for an alarm system and leave your house without setting it?

   I love looking in your windows. I’m looking for signs that you’re home, and for that flat screen TVs or gaming systems I’d like. I’ll drive or walk through your neighborhood at night, before you close the blinds, just to pick my targets.

   Avoid announcing your vacation on your Facebook or Myspace page. It’s easier than you think to look up your address.

   Leaving that window open just a crack during the day is a way to let in a little fresh air. To me, it’s an invitation.

   If you don’t answer when I knock, I’ll try the door. Occasionally, I’ll hit the jackpot and walk right in.