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From a March 2017 "Today" report by Jeff Rossen and Anneke Foster:
Nicholas Kyriazis estimates he's burglarized at least 100 homes, maybe as many as 150. So who better to explain how to protect your home from burglaries?
- Have a neighbor collect your mail when you're away. Mail in the mailbox signals burglars that no one is home.
- Leave your car outside. "If there's no cars in the driveway, there's a good chance there is no one home," Kyriazis said.
- Thieves often strike in the morning. Kyriazis told Rossen he typically did burglaries between 8 a.m. and before 2 p.m. More than half of convicted burglars surveyed by WNBC in New York also said they target homes in the morning.
- Don't assume an alarm system will protect you. "Alarm system alerts me that the people are not home when the alarm is turned on," Kyriazis said.
- Don't assume home security cameras will protect you. "People got money for security cameras, they got something in there they're protecting."
- Have a neighbor watch your house. Kyriazis called neighborhood watch "one of the best things they ever started for burglary prevention."
- Lock up when you leave. Many people leave doors and windows unlocked, and thieves take advantage. "I've never carried burglary tools," Kyriazis said.
- Dogs can be a good deterrent. Kyriazis said a barking dog would give him pause.
- Never engage a burglar. Thieves and experts agree that if you come upon a burglary in progress, the best option is to leave, find a safe place and call 911 immediately.