Everyone wants to protect their valuables, but sometimes our well-meaning attempts to hide things make it easier for thieves to quickly nab them. You’d be surprised how seasoned burglars can sniff out the typical hiding spots and snatch all of your prized possessions in a matter of minutes.
If you’re serious about securing your belongings, you need to think outside the box to keep your valuables safe (and get in the head of a thief). This article will reveal common mistakes people make when hiding valuables at home and provide far more clever alternatives.
1. Under the Mattress
Don’t: This is one of the absolute first places a burglar will check. It’s a classic for a reason–it offers quick and easy access.
Do: Use a diversion safe. A diversion safe looks like an ordinary household item (e.g., a can of shaving cream, a book, a power outlet) but has a hidden compartment inside.
Diversion safes aren’t foolproof, but they exploit a thief’s desire for speed. With limited time, they’re more likely to grab conspicuous valuables than investigate mundane items. A study by the University of North Carolina at Charlotte found that diversion safes successfully deterred theft in simulated burglaries.
2. Inside Dresser Drawers
Don’t: Like mattresses, drawers are easy to search, especially if a burglar can dump the entire contents on the floor.
Do: Utilize false bottoms in drawers. You can buy pre-made drawers with false bottoms or add a thin panel of wood to an existing drawer to create a hidden space underneath.
False bottoms play to the burglar’s assumptions. Upon a cursory inspection, an empty drawer looks just like that–empty. This tactic is especially effective for deterring casual thieves who might be acquaintances snooping around.
3. The Jewelry Box
Don’t: The name itself says it all! Jewelry boxes scream “valuables inside.”
Do: Distribute pieces throughout your home. Stash some jewelry in less obvious spots, like tucked inside a sock in a less-used drawer, or inside an old winter boot.
This strategy forces burglars to invest more time and make more noise searching your home, increasing the chance they get caught or give up. According to a survey of convicted burglars, the presence of unexpected obstacles and the risk of making noise were significant deterrents.
4. In the Freezer
Don’t: Burglars may be in a hurry, but they’re not stupid. Your freezer is a surprisingly common target, particularly for cash.
Do: Consider a bank safe deposit box. For highly precious items, a safe deposit box might offer the most peace of mind.
Safe deposit boxes are not without risk. However, they significantly raise the bar for a thief compared to at-home hiding spots. They also offer protection against hazards like fire or natural disasters.
5. “Hidden” in a Medicine Cabinet
Don’t: Medicine cabinets are prime real estate for prescription drugs, making them attractive targets. Additionally, hiding valuables behind bottles is not particularly clever.
Do: Create a hiding spot in plain sight. For example, hollow out the inside of an old non-functioning appliance (i.e., VCR, stereo unit) and leave it somewhere like the garage or attic.
These unconventional “safes” blend in with the clutter typically found in these areas. A determined burglar might search them eventually, but they’re easily overlooked in a time-constrained smash-and-grab situation.
6. Underneath Piles of Clothing
Don’t: Closets and drawers full of clothing can be searched quickly.
Do: Install a wall safe designed to hide behind a picture. They’re relatively inconspicuous, and gaining access requires more effort than a burglar might want to risk.
Wall safes vary in quality and price. Opt for a well-respected brand with good reviews for better security. Additionally, professional installation can ensure the safe is properly anchored and harder to pry open.
7. Inside Hollowed-Out Books
Don’t: This is a movie trope for a reason; burglars are wise to it.
Do: Use your attic or basement’s insulation. Wrap your valuables well in plastic and tuck them deep within the insulation in an inconspicuous area.
Insulation is messy and irritating to handle, deterring most burglars from a thorough search. Remember where you hide things, though! Also, be mindful of potential fire hazards if you place valuables near any wiring or heat sources within the insulation.
8. Behind the Toilet Tank
Don’t: This is another surprisingly common hiding spot that experienced burglars know. Plus, the confined space limits the size of what you can hide.
Do: Stash items inside a decorative tissue box. Choose an opaque box and place it amongst other seemingly normal bathroom decor.
This combines the idea of the diversion safe with hiding in plain sight. Burglars are on the lookout for unusual items, and a normal-looking tissue box is unlikely to draw attention.
9. Taped Under Furniture
Don’t: While perhaps not the first place a burglar looks, furniture is easily moved and the underside quickly inspected – especially in rooms where valuables are likely to be kept.
Do: Utilize the dead space inside a hollow curtain rod. Remove the finial, insert your items carefully (wrapped for protection), and replace the finial.
Most burglars will not consider curtain rods. Opt for thicker, more opaque curtain rods to conceal the items inside more effectively.
10. Inside Air Vents
Don’t: Air vents are often secured with easily removed screws, and the ducts themselves may offer a path for a burglar to navigate your home.
Do: Create a hidden compartment within a fake electrical outlet. Commercial options are available, or you can find DIY tutorials online.
Fake outlets surprisingly fool even professional electricians during inspections. Ensure you choose a location where a real outlet would seem plausible to enhance the disguise further.
11. Inside Children’s Toys
Don’t: If a burglar suspects something might be valuable, the destructive potential of searching children’s toys is minimal compared to damaging other household items.
Do: Use empty food containers. Cleaned-out food containers in your pantry or fridge are some of the last places a burglar will look. Opt for opaque containers and place them towards the back for added obscurity.
Food containers tap into the “hiding in plain sight” concept. Most burglars are focused on speed, and the potential reward of searching for random food items seems low. Be sure to choose items unlikely to expire soon to avoid arousing suspicion later.
12. Buried in the Backyard
Don’t: Freshly disturbed earth is an obvious sign that something is hidden there. Additionally, outdoor stashes are vulnerable to the elements and animals.
Do: Bury valuables in a potted plant. Choose a large pot with plenty of soil, and bury a waterproof container with your valuables a few inches below the surface. Disguise the spot with pebbles or decorative elements.
Houseplants are a common enough sight that they won’t raise suspicion. It’s unlikely that a burglar will take the time to rummage through the soil, especially if the plant appears healthy and undisturbed on the surface.
13. Inside Shoes
Don’t: While better than simply leaving items out, a burglar searching for valuables will likely check obvious containers like shoes, particularly in closets or near entry points.
Do: Install a floor safe. These are specifically designed to be embedded in a concrete floor and covered seamlessly.
Floor safes are a significant investment and require professional installation. However, they provide excellent security if you’re concerned about determined thieves and want to protect high-value items.
14. Taped to the Back of Electronics
Don’t: Electronics are prime targets for theft themselves. If a burglar is interested in stealing your TV or computer, they will likely discover anything attached.
Do: Build a hidden compartment with a false back inside a piece of furniture. You may be able to modify an existing piece, like a cabinet or bookcase, to create this secret space.
This requires some carpentry skills but offers excellent concealment. A burglar can easily glance behind furniture, but it’s rare for them to investigate the construction itself. Focus on pieces of furniture that usually stay flush against a wall.
15. In the Cookie Jar
Don’t: The kitchen is a common starting point for burglaries, and any food container is a potential target, especially if it seems out of place or overly full.
Do: Use the space under your kitchen or bathroom sink. Attach a small, inconspicuous magnetic container to the underside or back of the cabinetry to store small items.
Most burglars focus on living spaces and bedrooms. The areas under sinks are often ignored, especially due to the presence of plumbing and cleaning supplies.
To deter burglary, consider an alarm system that will keep burglars far away and prevent a break-in in the first place.
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With an honors degree in financial engineering, Omega Ukama deeply understands finance. Before pursuing journalism, he honed his skills at a private equity firm, giving him invaluable real-world experience. This combination of financial literacy and journalistic flair allows him to translate complex financial matters into clear and concise insights for his readers.
With an honors degree in financial engineering, Omega Ukama deeply understands finance. Before pursuing journalism, he honed his skills at a private equity firm, giving him invaluable real-world experience. This combination of financial literacy and journalistic flair allows him to translate complex financial matters into clear and concise insights for his readers.
