Tuesday, March 09, 2010

Sounds like some interesting information

Things Your Burglar Won't Tell You:

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

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. Yes, I really do look for newspapers piled up on the driveway. And I might leave a pizza flyer in your front door to see how long it takes you to remove it.

5. If it snows while you're out of town, get a neighbor to create car and foot tracks into the house. Virgin drifts in the driveway are a dead giveaway.

6. 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 makes it too easy.

7. A good security company 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.

8. It's raining, you're fumbling with your umbrella, and you forget to lock your door-understandable. But understand this: I don't take a day off because of bad weather..

9. 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.)

10. Do you really think I won't look in your sock drawer? I always check dresser drawers, the bedside table, and the medicine cabinet.

11. Helpful hint: I almost never go into kids' rooms.

12. 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.

13. A loud TV or radio can be a better deterrent than the best alarm system. If you're reluctant to leave your TV on while you're out of town, you can buy a $35 device that works on a timer and simulates the flickering glow of a real television. (Find it at faketv.com.)

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

15. The two things I hate most: loud dogs and nosy neighbors.

16. I'll break a window to get in, even if it makes a little noise. If your neighbor hears one loud sound, he'll stop what he's doing and wait to hear it again. If he doesn't hear it again, he'll just go back to what he was doing. It's human nature.

17. I'm not complaining, but why would you pay all that money for a fancy alarm system and leave your house without setting it?

18. I love looking in your windows. I'm looking for signs that you're home, and for 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.

19. Avoid announcing your vacation on your Facebook page. It's easier than you think to look up your address.

20. To you, 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.

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


Sources: Convicted burglars in North Carolina , Oregon , California , and Kentucky; security consultant Chris McGoey, who runs crimedoctor.com; and Richard T. Wright, a criminology professor at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, who interviewed 105 burglars for his book Burglars on the Job.

Protection for you and your home

If you don't have a gun, here's a more humane way to wreck someone's evil plans for you. (I guess I can get rid of the baseball bat.)

Wasp Spray

A friend who is a receptionist in a church in a high risk area was concerned about someone coming into the office on Monday to rob them when they were counting the collection. She asked the local police department about using pepper spray and they recommended to her that she get a can of wasp spray instead.

The wasp spray, they told her, can shoot up to twenty feet away and is a lot more accurate, while with the pepper spray, they have to get too close to you and could overpower you. The wasp spray temporarily blinds an attacker until they get to the hospital for an antidote. She keeps a can on her desk in the office and it doesn't attract attention from people like a can of pepper spray would. She also keeps one nearby at home for home protection... Thought this was interesting and might be of use..


Wasp And Hornet Spray

On the heels of a break in and beating that left an elderly woman in Toledo dead, self defense experts have a tip that could save your life.

Val Glinka teaches self-defense to students at Sylvania Southview High School . For decades, he's suggested putting a can of wasp and hornet spray near your door or bed.

Glinka says, "This is better than anything I can teach them."

Glinka considers it inexpensive, easy to find, and more effective than mace or pepper spray. The cans typically shoot 20 to 30 feet; so if someone tries to break into your home, Glinka says, "spray the culprit in the eyes". It's a tip he's given to students for decades. It's also one he wants everyone to hear. If you're looking for protection, Glinka says look to the spray.

"That's going to give you a chance to call the police; maybe get out."

Maybe even save a life. .

14 comments:

Clytie said...

Wow, a lot to think about.

I like the idea of the wasp spray - I wonder why I've never heard of it before?

Twisted Fencepost said...

Great tips.
Great post.
Thanks, Patty!!!

Mental P Mama said...

I had no idea about the wasp spray. And that other stuff? I am a sitting duck. No. I WAS;)

Arkansas Patti said...

I know I am way too trusting. But when I look around, anyone to burgle me really is desparate.

nituscorner said...

thought provoking post patty. and also a reminder how we should be more careful.

Lady Di Tn said...

I love finding out other ways to use things. Wasp spray to the rescue. Thanks for sharing. I can never get those darn lids off of spray cans so best to leave it off. Thanks for sharing. Peace

Yankee Girl ~ Missy said...

wasp spray now there's an idea.

Cheryl said...

Very good information for all. Thanks. I like the idea of the wasp spray, very inexpensive and very easy to buy!

Margaret Cloud said...

Boy, that is some useful things to think about and what a better way than to hear first hand by thief's. I am buying some wasp and hornet spray, thanks Patty.

Cathy said...

Hello Patty
The list of 21 made interesting reading - food for thought indeed
Cathy

Wanda said...

If only we would listen!!


Very good advice Patty.

Renie Burghardt said...

I have a gun, but I also have wasp spray and 2 dogs!

Good information.

A sad week for me. An old friend passed away suddenly, in Florida. So we're reminiscing about the good times we shared with her, and preparing to say good-bye.

sandy said...

Wow that was great! I'm saving this off to share. Thanks. And Wasp spray, who would have thunk...

We were in a sporting goods store today and I almost bought pepper spray, but didn't. Glad I waited.

Beth Niquette said...

Thank you so much. We do many of these things, but there were a few I didn't think about.

I am sending this one to my kids. They live in a "safe" area--but you just never know.

The wasp spray is a GREAT idea. Thank you for sharing this, Patty.