I keep an eye on a few vacation homes for some friends.
I do a daily walk about, shake doorknobs and the like.
One guy had been around about a week and just left last night.
I went to his place first thing this morning just to be sure he'd locked up all his exterior doors. He has 5 doors and more than once he's forgotten to lock one.
I go walking up to his place and right at the base of the stairs that lead up to his elevated stilt home sits a 8 pound sledgehammer and a 30 inch crow bar. I know he'd been working with those two tools while he was here and it was he that'd left them set there.
I couldn't help but think of the time one of my homes in Montana was robbed. The thieves went through the front door with MY splitting maul that I kept by the wood pile right outside my door.
Thieves are opportunist, I didn't have to make it so easy for them.
I know a thief could easily bust out a window with a rock to gain entry but you don't have to give them the damn rock.
What's sitting around your place in plain view?
It sounds simple and even stupid but maybe some would never consider thinking about it if they've never been robbed with the use of their own devices.
I have some fenced, gated remote properties.
If I install a gate I install a power opener.
I guess I'm just too lazy to get out of the truck, I gotta have a button it get in.
I also install a fake lock and chain.
The gates close against the back of the gate post, the chain just wraps around the post, not the gate.
I mean I could lock the gate with the chain but then I'd have to get outta the truck..
This fake lock and chain works so well I had the power company cut one to gain entry after I'd told them to just pull the clevis pin out of the opener, the gate wouldn't be locked.
They were rather apologetic about that when I arrived.
They installed one of their locks to repair the chain after they realized what they'd done.
Now it's really secure looking with "two" big badazzed locks on it.
About those clevis pins that come with those openers.
Remove them and replace them with a bolt and nyloc nut.
Gotta leave them a little loose so they can pivot.
The nyloc nut makes it to where a guy has to have two tools to remove it. Just a simple little step to help deter a thief or trespasser.
What do you have?
Something simple and obvious once you realize it?
