The Simple Solution That Can Help Make Your Home Safer: It's Fast And Free!

The national burglary rate has recently seen a decline due to several reasons, including the increased personal use of smart security technology such as alarms, cameras, and video doorbells. And while these devices are effective deterrents, they can be costly to purchase and to install. If buying this high-tech equipment is not in your budget, there is still something you can do to prevent home burglaries and it won't cost you a dime — pick up your mail. It may sound simple, but leaving a full mailbox or packages scattered outside of your home can make your property an easy target.

Letting mail pile up in the mailbox or outside a front door is one of the subtle ways burglars can tell no one is home. According to former SWAT commander and co-founder of Survival Response LLC, Gene Petrino, doing so can increase your theft risk. "I never leave signs that my house is unattended, [like] leaving the mailbox overflowing," Petrino said to the Huffington Post. The same holds true for newspapers, advertisements, packages, or anything else that may get left outside your house, all of which can signal to burglars that no one's home to retrieve the items.

One of the easiest ways to avoid letting your mail accumulate is to notify the post office when you're going to be out of town so they can hold your mail. The request can be made online by anyone living in the household. If you will be away, you can schedule the hold up to 30 days before you want your mail held. If something comes up at the last minute that will take you away from your home for an extended period, you can even arrange it as soon as the next scheduled delivery day. In addition to the online option, these requests can be made in writing or in-person at your local post office.

You could also arrange for a friend or neighbor to stop by and pick up any newspapers, brochures, or packages that were delivered by someone other than the post office. sensitive information that thieves can use to steal your identity. It can also prevent the theft of your checks, which has become increasingly common among those who use them to commit check fraud. So, if you're looking for a way to upgrade your home security without using expensive gadgets, start by simply bringing in your mail.