The Lawhead Team knows how scary a break-in can be. We want to educate our readers on how you can prevent a burglar from entering your home.

The following are 5 ways you are asking for a burglar to enter your home:

1. Leaving evidence of valuables outside for those driving by to see. Just get a new TV or stereo system? Leaving the large box out in your trash bin is a perfect way for a burglar to know you the goodies you have in your home. Break down your boxes and put them at the bottom of your trash bin so no one can see your big purchases.
2. Not bolting down your safe. Great idea to store any valuables in your safe – most likely a burglar won’t have enough time to attempt to break into it. They will, however, take the entire safe if it isn’t bolted down. What’s the point of a safe if it can easily be carried out of the home?
3. Letting newspapers pile up in the driveway while you’re away on vacation. This is a perfect target for a burglar. If newspapers are piled up in the driveway and there are no lights on, BINGO, this is an open invitation to a burglar. Get some timers for lamps in your home and ask your neighbors to pick up your newspaper. We also suggest you avoid announcing on Facebook or any other social media sites you are away on vacation.
4. Investing in an expensive alarm and never setting it. If you’ve paid money for an alarm system, use it! Burglars also hate barking dogs and loud neighbors. We also recommend creating a neighborhood watch with your community. They can help you work with your neighbors to improve security and reduce risk of burglary.
5. Letting shrubs and bushes grow around your home. Poorly lit areas, bushes and shrubs all create a burglar haven. This gives them a perfect opportunity to not be seen or hide in the bushes if someone walks or drives by.

Do you have some suggestions on how to prevent a burglar from invading your home? Comment on our blog.

No one wants to be a victim of a home burglary. Check out our tips to prevent burglary in your home:

• Place a sign up that you have a home security system. Even if you don’t want to spend the money on a security system, just a simple security sign in your yard or on your window will help deter a burglary. Chances are a burglar will go to the next house if he thinks you have a security system.
• Make sure your garage remains closed anytime you are not present. Open garages may advertise your belongings to a potential burglary.
• Stay on friendly terms with your neighbors. Closely knit neighbors are more likely to call the police if they see someone suspicious lurking around your property. Make it a point to befriend your neighbors and help prevent burglarythroughout the neighborhood.
• Most times valuables are kept in the bedroom and burglars know this. Keep valuables outside of your bedroom, anywhere a burglar wouldn’t expect to find them.
• Homes with shrubbery and abundant bushes to hide behind make a pleasant opportunity for a burglary. If your home is relatively exposed a burglar may avoid your house because there are not many places he can make his escape.
• Lights with motion sensors are a great way to deter a burglary. If someone is to walk along the side of your home, the light will turn on automatically encouraging the burglar to move on.
• Noise, such as the radio or TV, is a great way to deter a potential burglary. A burglar is more likely to think you are home and move on to the next house.
• Keep your home’s windows and doors locked at all times. Do an inventory of your home and examine where the easiest break in point would be and secure it to avoid any potential future burglary.