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The 10 Best Places to Hide Valuables in Your Home

10/13/2014

2 Comments

 
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Burglary is a crime of opportunity.  And burglars don’t want to spend a lot of time looking through a home to find things of value to steal, which is why there are obvious locations that they always check.  That means that there are ways to outsmart them by hiding your valuables in not-so-obvious places, and sometimes even in plain sight.

Depending on the size and type of item, the best places to hide valuables are those that burglars don’t want to search through or wouldn’t bother with, including places that are inconvenient or difficult to search, messy, or uninteresting.

Here Are the Top 10:

1. Hollowed-out books.  Criminals tend to be uneducated, which is why they’ve turned to crime to  make their living.  They’re practically allergic to books!  But if you have only a couple of books on a bookshelf, this may be a clue that they’re actually hiding places for your valuables, so make sure your library is large enough to serve as a tedious place to search.

2. A false VHS tape or VHS carton.  Who watches VHS tapes anymore?  Again, follow the rules above for books.  A few can be a clue, but many can be a time-consuming distraction.

3. False containers in the kitchen cupboard, under the sink, and in the bathroom, such as fake food cans and boxes, false cleaning product bottles, and personal hygiene items, and even in a heavy tub of "cat litter."  Some false containers available on the market today actually look like false containers, so you might want to save yourself the expense and create your own.

4. In the false bottom or under the plastic liner of a bathroom or kitchen trash can.  No one wants to go pawing through your trash in the slim hope of finding something worth pawning.

5. Wrapped in plastic and aluminum foil and stored in the back of the freezer.  This is also a good place to store documents and paper currency in case of a house fire.

6. In a floor safe in the bedroom closet.  While this location may be obvious, a burglar would have to exert a lot of time and energy—and create a lot of noise—trying to break into a floor safe, which is also generally of the heavy variety, making it not only hard to open, but hard to steal whole, if the thief had plans to break into it later.  

7. Inside a house plant.  Using the same method as for trash containers, a plant’s soil can be contained in a waterproof liner that can be lifted up to hide items underneath.  Just make sure the items you’re hiding are in a waterproof container, too.

8. Inside a false wall outlet.  Make sure it’s not a live receptacle or in the way of any electrical wiring. 

9. Within hollowed-out/removable building components, such as wainscoting, floor panels, door jambs, window sills, and cabinet doors.

10. In the garage inside boxes marked with mundane labels, such as “Xmas Ornaments,” “Kid’s Clothes,” “School Projects,” etc.  Again, the more boxes you have, the longer the burglar will have to search—if he’s so inclined—to find something worth stealing.

Hiding Places to Avoid:

Areas that can damage your valuables with water or invasive matter, such as the water tank of a toilet, inside a mayonnaise jar that still has mayonnaise in it, or a paint can filled with paint.  There are high-quality waterproof containers on the market that will allow you to hide items in water (and possibly other places), but err on the side of caution.  Documents, jewelry and electronics that become wet or permeated with chemicals or food matter may be damaged beyond repair in your zeal to outsmart a tenacious burglar.  

A jewelry box.  This is a good place to store jewelry that you can afford to lose, but not your diamond tennis bracelet or your grandmother’s antique wedding ring.

Your desk drawer, bedside drawer, or underwear drawer.  Too obvious.

Inside CD cases.  It’s true:  burglars still prefer CDs to MP3s.

Inside DVD cases.  DVDs and Xbox-type games are worth between $2 and $10 at pawn and re-sale shops; count on being cleaned out of your collection during a home burglary, regardless of the titles.

A wall safe.  Unless it’s high-end and professionally installed, a wall safe can be dislodged by cutting the drywall seam around it, and wall safes are typically small and light enough to easily transport off site to be opened later.  Opt for the heavier and harder-to-access floor safe.

Inside picture frames with false backs/interiors.  These tend to be thicker than typical picture frames, so they’re easy to spot as a hiding place.

A cookie jar.  Put cookies in it, not your grocery money.
  
An electrical item or heated area, such as a lamp base, toaster oven, or HVAC duct.  You could accidentally ignite your valuables and put your entire home at risk for a house fire.  

Any locked box or locking file cabinet.  A box that has a lock on it will be stolen regardless of what’s inside, and the lock on a file cabinet can be popped out with the right tool and a little effort.
Other Precautions

For valuables that you can’t hide or lock up, such as a flat-screen TV, stereo system, and computers, make sure they’re insured through your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance.  Unless you invest in a home security system (and sometimes even if you do), it’s not possible to protect every item in your home.  But you can take precautions to password-protect and GPS-activate laptops and smartphones so that their recovery is more likely, should they be stolen. 

Also, firearms should be properly locked in an approved gun safe that is stored out of reach for the safety of the home’s occupants, as well as to deter theft.

Place a pole in the bottom track of your sliding glass patio doors so that they can’t be forced open wide enough to permit the entry of an intruder.  Install burglar-proof window locks that will allow you to leave your windows open slightly for fresh air, but not wide enough to allow a person to get through.

Remember that burglary is a crime of opportunity, so don’t tempt fate by leaving any exterior doors unlocked (including sliding glass patio doors, and the door between the garage and the living area), hiding a spare house key outdoors (under the “Welcome” mat, a large potted plant, statuary, or a solitary or fake rock), leaving the doors to your attached garage open (even when you’re home), or leaving the curtains or drapes open so that your valuables are in full view of prowlers and passersby.  Your personal safety is at risk as much as your personal property.

Also, don’t over-share personal information with the world by advertising your absence from home on social media.  When leaving on vacation, have a trusted neighbor, friend or family member monitor your home and bring in the newspaper, mail, and random take-out menu hung on your doorknob.  Install light timers indoors and security/motion detectors outdoors to illuminate your property’s exterior.  And go ahead and apply security company stickers to your windows/doors that advertise that your home is professionally protected, even if it’s not.   

In short, do what you can to make your home a difficult, inconvenient and time-consuming target that will force a would-be burglar to move on.  And do your part to keep your neighborhood safe by reporting suspicious activity on your street to the police.

https://www.bennettpropertyinspection.com/

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Seasonal Maintenance Checklist

6/23/2014

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These checklists can help you manage homeowner maintenance tasks season by season so that everything gets done without you feeling overwhelmed. All homes are different, so these lists aren’t comprehensive, but they’ll help you get started with routine items that apply to most homes.

Annually
Hire me to perform your Annual Home Maintenance Inspection as part of your homeowner maintenance plan to check the structure, system and components, and to evaluate any problems you may be concerned about. www.bennettpropertyinspection.com


Spring
  • If you suspect damage to your roof due to a recent storm, broken tree limb, or other cause, check for damage, but only if you can do so safely and with a helper present.
  • Check all the fascia and trim for deterioration.
  • Have a professional air conditioning contractor inspect and maintain your system as recommended by the manufacturer.
  • Check your water heater for rust and leaks.
  • Replace all extension cords that have become brittle, worn or damaged.
  • Check your fire extinguishers.
  • Clean the kitchen exhaust hood and air filter.
  • Repair cracked and uneven walkways and the driveway to maintain a level and undamaged surface.
  • Check the shutoff valve at each plumbing fixture to make sure they function properly.
  • Clean the clothes dryer exhaust duct, damper, and the space under the dryer.
  • Inspect and clean dust from the covers of the smoke detectors and carbon-monoxide alarms.
Summer
  • Check the kids’ backyard playset (swings, treehouse, trampoline, etc.) for wear and tear, and repair any damage.
  • Check your wood deck and/or concrete patio for deterioration.
  • Check the seals, caulking and weatherstripping around all windows and doors to ensure a tight seal to prevent heating and cooling loss.
  • Check the water hoses on the washing machine, refrigerator ice maker, and dishwasher for cracks and bubbles.
  • Make sure that any bushes and exterior foliage are not growing up against the house in order to prevent moisture intrusion, mold growth and structural damage.
Fall
  • Have a professional heating contractor inspect and service your system as recommended by the manufacturer.
  • Protect your plumbing system from freezing and damage by using special insulated blankets and wrapping for plumbing pipes and the water heater. Also, blow out excess water from the automatic sprinkler system, garden hoses and exterior hose bibb. Store garden hoses and cover the hose bibb with an insulated cover.
  • Run all gas-powered lawn equipment until the fuel is gone.
  • Test your emergency generator.
  • Have a certified chimney sweep inspect and clean the chimney flue (especially to remove any birds’ nests) and check your fireplace damper for proper operation before you light the first fire of the season.
  • Make sure that the caulking around all bathroom fixtures is adequate to prevent water from seeping behind tile work and bath and shower enclosures into the drywall behind them, as well as into the sub-flooring under the floors.
  • Make sure that any firewood is not stacked up against the home in order to prevent moisture intrusion, mold growth and structural damage.
  • Clean out gutters, rake leaves, and remove debris from the home’s exterior before the first freeze.
  • If you notice any tree limbs that are overhanging your home or near exterior power lines, have a professional tree trimmer cut them back before the first frost to prevent them from breaking off and causing damage or injury.
  • Remove and store window screens and install the storm windows.
  • Check the exterior siding.
  • Check the attic and basement for water intrusion.
Winter
  • Familiarize responsible family members with the gas main shutoff valve and other appliance valves.
  • Make sure all electrical holiday decorations have tight connections.
  • Review your fire escape plan with your family.
  • Make sure your house number is visible from the street for any emergency response personnel.
  • Make sure all exterior lights are in good working order.


https://www.bennettpropertyinspection.com/



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5 High-Impact, Low Effort Spring Cleaning Tasks and Maintenance Must-Do’s for Your Home

3/29/2014

1 Comment

 
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 The dreaded day has come when you open the curtains or blinds to the sunshine only to expose the not-so-crystal clear windows, dusty tabletops, and dull carpets. If your home needs a little spring facelift, try these Five High Impact, Low Effort Spring Cleaning Must-Do’s that will instantly help brighten your home.

Brighten Your Home With These Five Spring Cleaning Tasks:

1. Wash the Windows.  A clear view brightens the entire house!  A simple way to do this is by removing the screens and brushing them clean with a broom.  Clean them using a hose with a multi-surface cleaner, and spray clean.  Making sure all windows are shut, use a window cleaner that attaches directly to your hose to spray exteriors of the windows clean.  But we think an even easier way to clean windows is to hire someone to do it for you! So worth the phone call to a professional!

2. Clean the Carpets and Rugs. Start with a fresh step! Cleaning your carpets and rugs makes the whole house feel cleaner and mists the air with scent that says “fresh.” You can rent carpet cleaners from any home improvement store for about $25 per day, or opt have someone come out and shampoo your rugs for $100-$150 for three areas.

3. Give the refrigerator a once-over. A healthy house begins with healthy dwellers.  Refrigerators are breeding grounds for bacteria and mold. Start by tossing any forgot about or expired condiments or food items.  Remove the remainder of the contents from the refrigerator and remove the shelves and drawers.  Wash these in the sink or dishwasher, then give the sides of the fridge a good wipe down. A clean fridge is just begging to filled with delicious and nutritious eats from the Farmer’s Market.

4. Clean the Floorboards, Doors, and Woodwork.  What’s not directly in front of us often gets neglected, yet floorboards, doors, and woodwork are some of the most abused components of our house.  They get kicked by shoes, scratched at by dogs, spilled on by kids, and touched by many hands.  With a clean cloth dipped in solution of water and a few drops of dish soap (wrung dry), run the cloth along the tops and fronts of each floor board.  Start at the bottom left side of the room and work your way around, stopping to wipe down any doors, window sills, or other woodwork along the way.  Don’t forget to sanitize the door handles and light switches as well.

5. Touch-Up Painted Walls.  Just as floorboards, doors and woodwork often get neglected, so does the everyday wear and tear on walls.  Use this time as an opportunity to clean spills and stains off the walls with a clean cloth (dipped in water with a couple drips of dish soap).  Once clean, scour the walls for areas that need touch up paint.  Start at the top left corner of each room and work your way down and to the right. Fill in any nail holes with spackling, then touch up with paint.

Who says that spring cleaning needs to take days complete?  These five, low-effort spring cleaning tasks can have your home looking, and smelling like new without exhausting yourself cleaning room-by-room.

www.bennettpropertyinspection.com



1 Comment

    Author

    Kevin Bennett is a West Coast transplant now living in sunny Tampa, FL. He is a licensed home inspector, former General Contractor and a residential and commercial construction expert. He is married, has a ten year old daughter named Stella, a six year old son named Logan, and an old hound dog named Jackson.

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