1. Love those flowers. That tells me you have taste¦ and taste means there are nice things inside. Those garden   toys your kids leave out always make me wonder what type of gaming system they have.

2. Yes, I really do look for newspapers piled up on the driveway. And I might leave a pizza flyer in your front door to see how long it takes you to remove it.

3. If it snows while you're out of town, get a neighbour to create car and foot tracks into the house. Virgin drifts in the driveway are a dead giveaway.

4. If decorative glass is part of your front entrance, don't let your alarm company install the control pad where I can see if it's set. That makes it too easy.

5. A good security company alarms the window over the sink. And the windows on the second floor, which often access the master bedroom â and your jewellery. It's not a bad idea to put motion detectors up there too.

6. It's raining, you're fumbling with your umbrella, and you forget to lock your door - understandable. But understand this: I don't take a day off because of bad weather.

7. I always knock first. If you answer, I'll ask for directions somewhere or offer to clean your gutters. (Don't take me up on it.)

8. Do you really think I wonât look in your sock drawer? I always check dresser drawers, the bedside table, and the medicine cabinet.

9. Here's a helpful hint: I almost never go into kidsâ rooms.

10. You're right: I wonât have enough time to break into that safe where you keep your valuables. But if itâs not bolted down, I'll take it with me.

11. A loud TV or radio can be a better deterrent than the best alarm system. If you're reluctant to leave your TV on while you're out of town, you can buy a £35 device that works on a timer and simulates the flickering glow of a real television.

12. Sometimes, I carry a clipboard. Sometimes, I dress like a lawn guy and carry a rake. I do my best to never, ever look like a crook.

13. The two things I hate most: loud dogs and nosy neighbours.

14. I'll break a window to get in, even if it makes a little noise. If your neighbour hears one loud sound, heâll stop what he's doing and wait to hear it again. If he doesn't hear it again, he'll just go back to what he was doing. Itâs human nature.

15. I'm not complaining, but why would you pay all that money for a fancy alarm system and leave your house without setting it?

16. I love looking in your windows. I'm looking for signs that you're home, and for flat screen TVs or gaming systems I'd like. I'll drive or walk through your neighbourhood at night, before you close the blinds, just to pick my targets.

17. Avoid announcing your holiday  on your Facebook page. It's easier than you think to look up your address.

18. To you, leaving that window open just a crack during the day is a way to let in a little fresh air. To me, it's an invitation.

19. If you donât answer when I knock, I try the door. Occasionally, I hit the jackpot and walk right in.

Here's an idea

Put your car keys beside your bed at night.

If you hear a noise outside your home or someone trying to get in your house, just press the panic button for your car (please note not all cars have these).The alarm will be set off, and the horn will continue to sound until either you turn it off or the car battery dies. This tip came from a neighbourhood watch coordinator. Next time you come home for the night and you start to put your keys away, think of this: Itâs a security alarm system that you probably already have and requires no installation. Test it. It will go off from most everywhere inside your house and will keep honking until your battery runs down or until you reset it with the button on the key fob chain. It works if you park in your driveway or garage. If your car alarm goes off when someone is trying to break into your house, odds are the burglar/rapist wonât stick around. After a few seconds all the neighbours will be looking out their windows to see who is out there and sure enough the criminal won't want that. And remember to carry your keys while walking to your car in a parking lot. The alarm can work the same way there.