More Great Ways to Deter Break-Ins: Burglars Speak Out

• Burglars sometimes have day jobs, such as painters, handymen (or, to be fair, handywomen), appliance repairmen.
• Anytime someone you don't know has been in your house, double check the door and window locks after they leave. Perhaps the person cleaning your gutters asks to use the bathroom. It's possible they will unlock a window before leaving.
• In Eight Great Ways to Deter Break-Ins, I suggest that the less pristine and fine your yard looks, the less appealing your home will be to burglars.
• One of my favorite tips appears in 11 More Great Ways to Deter Break-Ins, Readers speak out: Whenever the doorbell rang, this woman in her sixties would call out, "Larry, would you stop cleaning your gun and answer the door!" 
• Maybe you have put a hold on newpapers and mail while you are away. But also ask a neighbor pick up any flyers or local papers.
• You may not be thinking of this now, but for next winter, when it snows, have your path and driveway plowed or get some friends to come and make tracks so it looks like someone is home.
• In Is Your Burglar Alarm Really Protecting You? Tips From a Top Security Expert I pointed out that an alarm system is great, but only as strong as it's weakest link.
• When you are feeling too lazy to take your key with you and lock your door, remind yourself of the possible consequences.
• "I always knock first," says one burglar. "If you answer, I'll ask for directions somewhere or offer to clean your gutters. (Don't take me up on it.)" Ask for identification and also take note of license plate numbers if possible.
• I'm guessing the expression "sock it away" comes from people stuffing their socks with cash, one of the first places burglars look, in addition to other dresser drawers and bathroom cabinets.
• If you have a safe, bolt it down in a hidden area.
• At faketv.com you can buy an inexpensive device that flickers like a TV to use when you are away.
• A barking dog is better than an alarm. Alarms don't bite.
• It's easy to find out where you live, so broadcasting your comings and goings on social network sites is a bad idea. How much do you know about every single person who friends you on Facebook?
• Sad to say, if you take security seriously, open windows are an invitation to burglars.
• Weddings and funerals alert burglars to times you will be out of your house. These are good times to get a house sitter. And of course to set the alarm.
• Many of the above pointers come via Richard T. Wright, a criminology professor at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, who interviewed 105 burglars for his book Burglars on the Job.

What advice do you have for keeping burglars at bay?