Every year around Holy Week in Tenerife… you see the same thing.
People head off for a few days, looking forward to a break… and without realising it, leave behind a home that’s pretty obviously empty.
The National Police have flagged it again, and it’s not complicated stuff.
It’s the basics.
It’s usually the obvious things
Most break-ins like this aren’t planned weeks in advance.
They happen because something looks easy.
Shutters fully closed during a bright week
Post building up behind the door
No signs of life for days
It doesn’t take much for someone to clock what’s going on.
The social media mistake
This one catches people out all the time.
Airport photo… “off for a few days”… maybe even the return date thrown in for good measure.
Seems harmless.
But you’ve just told anyone watching that your place is empty.
Better to share it when you’re back… not while your front door hasn’t been opened in three days.
Make it look normal
You don’t need to get clever with it.
Just avoid making it look shut down.
Leave blinds partly open
Don’t leave washing hanging there untouched
Keep things looking like someone’s around
That alone is often enough to make someone move on.
Use someone you trust
If you’ve got a decent neighbour, use them.
Give them a key, ask them to pop in, clear the post, maybe switch a light on now and again.
Nothing dramatic… just enough to break the pattern of an empty place.
One thing worth remembering
Most of this isn’t about stopping a determined thief.
It’s about not being the easiest option on the street.
Because nine times out of ten… that’s all it comes down to.