While crime in Hermosa Beach is reportedly fairly low, residents shouldn’t be caught off guard. By nature of living in a big city like Los Angeles, homeowners and renters alike always need to take a little extra precaution, and those who live in our beautiful beach community are certainly no exception.

But in order to adequately protect your home against burglars, you need to think like a burglar. The truth is that those who desire to break in to your residence are smarter than you think. Experienced thieves, in particular, size up your house and plan their crime ahead of time.

To help you better protect your home and its belongings, here are common questions that burglars ask, according to security experts.

Does the home look unattended?

It’s important to maintain your residence’s curb appeal. A well-maintained yard gives improves the value of your house, sure, but it also send a message to crooks that you’re keeping an eye on the property. Consider the alternative: yards with overgrown grass, weeds, and unattended tree growth suggest a lack of oversight, which may also mean a lack of security.

To add more of a presence to your yard, call the best plumber in Hermosa Beach to install a sprinkler system. Torrance Plumbing Co can bring your lawn and gardens back to life, whether you live near The Hermosa Beach Pier or The Comedy and Magic Club. Active outdoor plumbing will ensure the appearance of a healthy, thriving lawn that’ll turn thieves off.

Are people present?

Do you work long hours or go on frequent trips? If so, you may want to consider ways to create more human presence at home, even if it’s only virtual or suggestive. Determined burglars often try to figure out how much time you spend at home, and what hours you’re typically away. While it might be unrealistic to constantly change up your schedule, you can re-create the appearance of activity while you’re away. Connect your outside lights to timers, so that your home never looks dark and un-occupied. Additionally, if you’re going away on a trip, ask friends to house sit. This way, you never have to worry about the vulnerability of your home, valuables, or high-value fixtures and appliances.

Is the mail piled up?

This simple and seemingly irrelevant question can mean the difference between business as usual, and invasive break in. Despite their reputation, some burglars are actually savvier than you might guess (with the consequence of jail time, they go to lengths to plan their crime).

One of the details they look for when scouting your home is an excessive amount of mail. If letters, magazines and packages are overflowing out of your mailbox for more than a day, it’s a sign that the owners are away. While this isn’t necessarily a deciding factor when considering a break in, it definitely informs their decision. To avoid a mail pile up, check your mailbox daily, especially if you, like many of us, receive bulky junk fliers. Additionally, if you’re going to be out of town for more than a couple days, ask a neighbor to pick up your mail.