A WOMAN has urged people to ‘stay safe’ by not making a common mistake that saw her house get broken into.
With Christmas around the corner, many burglars will be hunting for an easy house to get inside.
In London alone, where Ayame lives, burglaries go up by 21% during the festive period, so it’s a good idea to be extra vigilant.
Taking to social media, Ayame shared what happened and how a common mistake made her a target.
She said: “I say to all my divas, lock your doors and don’t leave your keys in your doors.
“My house was broken into last night.”
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Fortunately, Ayame was not at home when it took place, but she was still devastated to lose her belongings.
She said the burglars were able to get in by breaking a glass panel in her front door and reaching for the keys she left in the lock.
Ayame said she had been in tears as she had lost her vintage Louis Vuitton bag that she had spent three years working for.
“I left my key in the door thinking, ‘Oh, if the key’s in the door, they can’t get in from the other side.’
“They can, they just break the window. Don’t leave your key in the doors.”
She also shared some advice she got from the police, saying to keep your lights on so that they think you are home and to make sure you have cameras installed.
Now Ayame was left with a boarded up front door as she waited for it to be fixed.
The clip soon went viral on her TikTok account @ayame.p with over 116k views and 19k likes.
People in the comments were quick to offer their sympathies.
One person wrote: “My dad ALWAYS tells me not to leave my key in the door. But it’s the only way I can keep track of the key.”
Another commented: “Taking your vintage bag is diabolical!! They deserve life.”
“This is why I never understood having windows in your front door. I’m glad you’re safe,” penned a third.
How to protect your home from burglars
- Install a home security system:
- Consider alarms, CCTV cameras, and smart doorbells.
- Choose systems that allow remote monitoring via smartphone.
- Secure doors and windows:
- Ensure all doors and windows have robust locks.
- Use deadbolts and window locks for added security.
- Consider installing a peephole or door chain.
- Improve outdoor lighting:
- Install motion-sensor lights around your property.
- Ensure pathways, driveways, and entrances are well-lit.
- Maintain your garden:
- Keep hedges and shrubs trimmed to eliminate hiding spots.
- Store tools and ladders securely to prevent their use in break-ins.
- Use timers for lights:
- Set timers to turn lights on and off to give the impression someone is home.
- Consider using smart plugs to control appliances remotely.
- Secure garages and sheds:
- Ensure these areas are locked with strong padlocks.
- Store valuable items out of sight.
- Get to know your neighbours:
- Join or form a neighbourhood watch scheme.
- Encourage neighbours to keep an eye on each other’s properties.
- Be cautious with social media:
- Avoid posting holiday plans or location updates online.
- Ensure privacy settings are secure to limit who can see your posts.
- Mark valuables with a UV pen:
- Use a UV pen to mark valuables with your postcode and house number.
- Register items with a property database for easier recovery if stolen.
- Consider installing a safe:
- Use a safe to store important documents and valuable items.
- Ensure the safe is securely bolted to the floor or wall.
- Review your home insurance:
- Check that your home insurance policy is up to date.
- Ensure it covers the value of your possessions.
- Conduct regular security checks:
- Periodically review and update your home security measures.
- Ensure all systems and locks are in good working order.
Meanwhile a fourth said: “I’m so sorry this happened glad you’re okay but how stressful and horrendous. Very heartbreaking.”
“Around this time of year thefts and break ins are always super high,” claimed a fifth.
Someone else added: “That’s actually pretty scary, but I’m glad to know that you’re OK.”
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