Tips to keep Irreplaceable Belongings Safe from Theft

So, I just got a call from a friend who has fallen victim to the same crime that many of us have experienced....a Home Invasion Burglary during broad daylight while they were gone.  And just like most who never thought this could happen to them, they felt the same way.  They lived in their neighborhood for 30+ years, knew everyone on their street and never had to worry anything like this...right??........well apparently not. 


I hate when I get calls like this one.  First, I too have been victim to theft so I know how it invasive and dirty it feels.  Second, I know my friends knew that I could have put a system in their home for them years ago when we started our business, but opted for the "it never happened before so we should be fine" approach.   And third, this terrible person who invaded their home not only stole TVs and computers, but also all of their jewelry! 


Now in their jewelry boxes, were not just any pieces of expensive jewelry, but rather family heirlooms passed down from 3 generation!  Rings, necklaces, and even old silver dollars from the 1800s.   These are items that have the utmost sentimental value that we all can identify with.  They are a piece of our family's history, and they are priceless and irreplaceable.  PERIOD!  And now they are gone, with only some desperate attempts at visiting local pawn shops as their last chance to recover these pieces.  I have a terrible taste in my mouth just thinking about it.


This brings me to a couple valuable and simple suggestions for those with and without an alarm system on how to keep your irreplaceable belongings safe from theft:

1. Don't just leave your jewelry/valuables out in plain sight.  Put it away and in a place that you wouldn't look for it first if you were a burglar.  For the intruder that is looking for a quick hit, normally they are running up to the master bedroom to look in dresser drawers, bathroom drawers and closet drawers.  If that's where you're going to keep your prized possessions, then don't be surprised is they're one of the first things taken during a burglary.  Yes, it's more of a pain to get them the next time you need them, but that's what you'll have to weigh out.  One of the best features of having a security system is that once it's set off by an intruder, every second longer they stay in the house is one more second the authorities have to catch them.  Thus, they don't have an endless time to search every nook and cranny of your house for all of your valuables.
2. Safes are a very good way of keeping valuables secured and also out of plain sight.  They are usually rather affordable and obviously not easily penetrable.  Now, obviously I'm referring to ones that are attached to floors, walls, studs, or are large enough that it would be virtually impossible for someone to get it out of the house without being detected.  We've all seen the movies where the rich man goes to his office, swings out some gaudy painting and there's the safe that's implanted into the wall.  These are very easy setups and could be something that could save you from the anger and sadness that has fallen over my friends from this burglary.

I'm a very big believer in Karma and I know that this is a big score against the thief that did this.