In a world that feels increasingly unpredictable, it’s not unusual for concerned Americans to stash a bit of cash at home. Unfortunately, however, no matter how creative they try to be in devising safe hiding places, experienced burglars are well onto the most popular options. Law enforcement and behaviorists say the worst places to hide valuables are:
- Under the mattress – It may be a cliché, but people still hide money there, and it’s one of the places crooks look first.
- Jewelry boxes and dresser drawers – These are places obvious to burglars—although folding money into balled up socks might avoid their scrutiny.
- Medicine cabinet – Burglars look here for re-sellable drugs. Not a good place to hide money.
- Office drawers/file drawers – Unless they are locked, don’t keep passports or other important papers or valuables inside.
- A suitcase in your closet – It’s an open invitation for burglars perusing the master bedroom. On the other hand, while there is no guarantee that wily thieves may not be one step ahead of you, here are a few hiding spots safest—no pun intended – for hiding valuables.
- Portable safe – But only if it’s very heavy and/or bolted into place. Most thieves won’t take the time to try to figure out a combination, but if a safe is lightweight, they may just take the whole thing.
- Picture frames – Handy for hiding cash, and innocuous enough to stay off most burglar radar.
- Wall clock safe – There are safes that function like traditional wall clocks, but have secret compartments for storing valuables.
- Fridge and freezer – Burglars may look there, but money stashed in a fake soda can sitting among real soda cans will likely go unnoticed. In the freezer, place money or valuables in a well-sealed plastic bag and insert it into an emptied bag of frozen veggies stacked amid a pile of actual frozen foods.
- Holiday decorations – In plain sight in a closet or in the garage, a box of holiday garlands and snarled coils of tree lights is likely to avoid too close a look.
