12 Items You Should Never Keep Near a Window

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You may prioritize keeping your homes safe and secure by installing security systems and setting up motion-sensor lights. However, you may not have considered one area of your home when keeping it safe—your windows.

Windows are entry points into our homes, but they also provide easy access to our personal belongings and can compromise our privacy. Knowing which items should never be kept near a window is essential to protecting your home from potential harm.

Spare Keys

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While this seems like a great way to have spare keys next to the windows and available, it is also an open invitation for thieves. Spare keys are a favorite among thieves, and most look for them near windows so they can easily enter your house. Don’t do that—leave a spare key with a trusted neighbor or buy a safe emergency lockbox.

Personal Documents

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Do not leave personal documents like passports, birth certificates, and social security cards near windows. They may contain personal information about you, and if they fall into the wrong hands, they can be used for identity theft.

Medications

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If you have any prescription medications at home, ensure they are not visible from outside through your windows. Not only could this potentially attract thieves looking to steal medication, but it also puts your health at risk if the medication is tampered with.

Weapons

Firearms, knives, and other weapons should never be left near windows. Not only do these items pose a danger if they fall into the wrong hands, but they also give potential intruders access to weapons that can harm you or your family.

Expensive Outdoor Equipment

Never store lawnmowers, bicycles, grills, or large items near windows. After all, they serve as bait for robbers and make it easier for them to break into your home by breaking these objects.

Cash

It is a big risk to leave cash or valuable coins near windows. Doing so invites burglars into your house and asks them if they want to take your money. Instead, store surplus cash in a safety deposit box or somewhere safe inside your home.

Valuable Electronics

Laptops, tablets, and other sensitive technology should never be left near windows. Potential burglars can easily spot and steal these items, and they contain personal information that could compromise your privacy.

Valuables in Plain Sight

Do not display high-value items like premier handbags or designer shoes near windows where passersby can see through the glass. A view like this will only tempt would-be thieves and make your home a target for burglary.

Bills or Mail

Bills and mail can also bear your name, address, and account numbers. Keeping them near windows could allow identity thieves to access this information, putting your identity in danger.

Food

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According to Rentokil, leaving food near windows can attract unwanted pests such as rodents and insects. This act is a health hazard and puts your home at risk for infestations. Keep all food stored in sealed containers and away from windows.

Valuable Artwork

Display valuable art or collectibles away from windows. Viewers can spot these items from the outside, creating a desire for thieves to break in and rob you. Store them safely away from windows or barrier them against theft.

Jewelry

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According to Bankrate, jewelry is one of the most often stolen items during a burglary. Leaving it by the window where anyone can see it from the street makes it an easy target for thieves. Never place a jewelry box on a window-side dresser or vanity table.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.