A FORMER burglar has warned people not to have a calendar in their kitchens, as it can encourage robbers.
The organisation staple is commonplace in many homes, as they’re handy to keep an eye on things going on in a family.
Having it in view through a window means burglars will know when you’re not there[/caption] He also advised putting a double lock onto the front door to deter robbers too[/caption]However, according to ex-robber turned security expert Michael Fraser, having a calendar up can actually be a security risk.
“A lot of people put calendars up in their kitchen,” he said during an interview on This Morning.
“And the calendar’s up with the dates on of when they’re out.
“And what they don’t realise is the burglar can read.
“He will come round the back, have a look through.
“If he sees that you’re not there, he’ll come back.”
And if you can’t go without a calendar, just make sure it’s not anywhere near a window.
“It’s also a dead giveaway that you’re not security conscious,” he added.
“So yeah, we all have calendars.
“Don’t leave them by windows where they can be seen.”
Likewise, if you are going away, don’t be tempted to share pictures on your social media pages.
“Everyone does it,” he sighed.
“You are giving burglars a perfect window of opportunity to do serious damage, and take their time doing it because they know there will be no-one in!”
Michael’s other advice included having two locks on the front door, as it can deter a burglar because it makes them aware it would be harder to get in.
“To make their own lives easier they will just go somewhere else that only has one lock,” he said.
He also advised getting a cage around your letterbox, to avoid any “letterbox fishing”, where people can grab important documents.
They can also potentially open the door from the inside if there’s no cage around it.
Another letterbox tip might seem common sense, but Michael admitted it happens more than you might think.
“People leave keys on the inside of letterboxes attached to string,” he revealed.
“This is a very basic error that again can have huge consequences.”
People were quick to comment on the interview when it was shared on TikTok, with one writing: “That’s clever!”
“Thanks for the advice,” another praised.