What Burglars Learn From Your Trash (And How to Protect Your Privacy)
You’re probably pretty good about locking your doors and windows. Maybe you’ve even got a Kangaroo Doorbell Camera + Chime watching your front porch – smart move! But there’s another spot around your home that opportunistic burglars might check out, one that can give away more information than you’d think: your trash can.
It sounds a bit surprising, right? But for someone looking for an easy target, your garbage can actually tell them a lot about you, your home, and when might be a good time to break in.
Let’s talk about what they’re looking for and, most importantly, what simple steps you can take to keep your private life private.
What Burglars Can Actually Learn From Your Bins
Think about what you toss out. Over a few weeks, those discarded items can paint a pretty clear picture for someone who’s paying attention.
Your Personal and Money Details:
What they might find: Things like old bills, bank statements, pre-approved credit card offers, shipping labels with your name and address, or even medical information.
What they learn: Your full name, address, where you bank, and sometimes even enough clues to try and steal your identity. It’s a serious issue – the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regularly reports on how common identity theft is.
What’s New and Valuable in Your Home:
What they might find: Empty boxes from that new big-screen TV, laptop, gaming system, or other expensive gadgets.
What they learn: Exactly what cool new stuff you have inside, making your home a more tempting target.
Your Daily Life and When You’re Away:
What they might find: Old prescription bottles (which show refill dates), plane ticket stubs, vacation itineraries, or even a stack of pizza boxes from your regular Friday night order.
What they learn: Your general routine, if you’re about to go on vacation (leaving the house empty), or even predictable times you’re usually not home.
Who Lives in Your House:
What they might find: Packaging from kids' toys, diaper boxes, or even mail that suggests only one person lives there.
What they learn: If there are kids, if someone lives alone (which some burglars see as an easier target), or if you have a dog (which can be a good deterrent!).
Easy Ways to Make Your Trash Safer
The good news is, protecting your information doesn't have to be complicated. Here are some straightforward tips:
Shred Important Papers: Got a shredder? Use it! For anything with personal info like your name, address, or account numbers, shredding is best. Tearing it once or twice often isn't enough.
Break Down Boxes: For boxes from big purchases, turn them inside out or cut them up so it's not obvious what was inside. If you can, take them straight to a recycling center.
Use Lidded Bins and Dark Bags: Opaque trash bags are better than clear ones. Make sure your trash cans have lids that close securely. If possible, keep them out of sight (like in the garage or behind a gate) until it's trash day.
Timing is Key: Try to put your trash out on the morning of pickup, rather than the night before. This gives snoopers less time.
Black Out Personal Info: Before you toss prescription bottles, use a thick black marker to cover up your name and the prescription number.
Consider Going Paperless: Many banks and utility companies offer e-statements and online bill pay. This means less sensitive paper to worry about.
Adding an Extra Layer of Safety with Kangaroo
Smart trash habits are a great start, and they’re even more effective when you pair them with good home security. That’s where Kangaroo comes in, offering simple, affordable ways to keep an eye on things:
See Who’s There: A Kangaroo Video Doorbell doesn't just show you who's at the door; it's also a clear sign to anyone casing your home that you're paying attention. Burglars usually look for the easiest option, and a visible camera makes your home less appealing.
Know What’s Happening Around Your Home: Kangaroo Motion + Entry Sensors can let you know if there's movement around your property, even near where you keep your trash cans.
Peace of Mind, Made Easy: Kangaroo is all about making home security simple and affordable. You can get the protection you need without a lot of fuss or long contracts. Our Complete Security Kits are a great way to get started.
It’s easy to forget about your trash once it’s out of the house, but taking a few simple steps to secure it can make a real difference to your privacy and safety. When you combine these good habits with smart, easy-to-use security from Kangaroo, you can feel much more secure at home.
Want to feel more secure at home?
