7 Common Hiding Places Burglars Check First
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When it comes to safeguarding our valuables, many people think they’ve found the ultimate secret hiding spots. However, seasoned burglars are experts at spotting these “safe” places. With burglary occurring once every 26 seconds in the United States, thieves know exactly where to look for valuables and where to find the obvious hiding spots.
Below are seven locations burglars target first, so you can reconsider where you hide your prized possessions.
Under the Mattress
Placing cash or jewelry under your mattress might seem like a good idea, but it is the oldest trick in the book, and burglars know it. Burglars check under the mattress almost immediately when entering a bedroom, as it’s an obvious hiding place. They’ll flip the mattress with little effort, making it easy to spot anything hidden in the bedframe or mattress. If you’ve hidden something under your mattress, expect it to be one of the first things stolen.
The Laundry Basket
It might seem like an odd choice, but the laundry basket is often the first place burglars check. People assume no one would dare rummage through their dirty clothes, but desperate burglars are willing to get their hands dirty.
Thieves know that many homeowners hide their valuables at the bottom of a laundry pile; whether it’s cash in a sock or a jewelry box under the t-shirts. Burglars are quick to flip through the mess and check for anything heavy or unusual, rendering your laundry basket an ineffective hiding spot.
Dresser Drawers
The sock and underwear drawer is a go-to hiding spot for many homeowners, especially for small valuables like watches, rings, and passports. However, burglars are well aware of this common hiding spot. They don’t open drawers gently; instead, they pull them out and dump the contents.
The mess makes it easy for thieves to spot valuable items, as they’ll quickly feel the difference between soft fabrics and heavier objects. Hiding valuables in your dresser drawers is a risky move, as this spot is often raided in the first few moments of a break-in.
Master Bedroom Closets
Your master bedroom closet may seem like a safe, well-guarded spot for your valuables. But in reality, it is the most common place burglars target. Most people hide jewelry, safes, and important documents here, but thieves know to sift through clothing, quickly tossing shirts and jackets aside to find hidden treasures. Even if you bury something at the back of the closet or place it high on a shelf, thieves are not deterred. They’ll leave no corner untouched in their quest for valuables.
Vases and Decorative Pots
Vases and decorative pots might seem like good hiding places, but they are more likely to betray you than protect your valuables. Burglars often toss or knock over decor to see if anything falls out, and the sound of shattered glass or ceramic is no deterrent for them. Even opaque pots don’t offer much protection, as thieves will shake them to see if anything rattles inside.
If you’re relying on a vase to hide your valuables, you’re taking a huge risk, both for your items and for your decor.
Portable Safes
A portable safe may seem like a secure option for protecting your valuables, but if it’s not bolted down, it’s essentially an invitation for burglars. Criminals know that small safes are easy to carry, and many simply pick them up and walk out of your home with everything inside. Even if your safe is fireproof, it offers little protection against theft. If you want true security, consider bolting your safe to the floor or storing it in a more secure location.
Bookshelves
Bookshelves may seem like a great place to hide valuables, especially if you’re using the “hollowed-out book” technique. However, burglars know all about this trick. They’ll grab a book, shake it, and listen for the telltale sound of bills or small objects inside.
If you have a large collection of books, this might slow them down a bit, but for the most part, bookshelves are a poor hiding place for valuables. Thieves can easily sweep through your collection, checking for any books that don’t open naturally or that feel heavier than paper.
