10 (Not So) Secret Spots Burglars Look When Invading Michigan Homes

If you think you've found a great spot in your home to hide cash, jewelry, and other valuables, you may be wasting your time. These are the sports burglars check first when they break in to a house.

Unfortunately, it's hard to outsmart thieves. Just like hiding your wallet in your shoe at the beach is a really dumb idea, using some of these hiding spots in your home is like proving a road map for burglars.

Reader's Digest recently debunked some of our (not so) secret home hiding spots, noting that these are the first places burglars look when pulling off a home invasion.

Under the Mattress

The first lesson in the burglar handbook:  The good stuff is always in the master bedroom. (No, there isn't really a burglar handbook.) But the bad guys are going to make a beeline for the master bedroom when they're robbing your house, and hiding cash under the mattress is the oldest trick in the book.

In the Freezer

If you're thinking that hiding 'cold hard' cash and other valuables in the freezer is a good idea, you're in good (actually bad) company, because thieves are thinking the same thing.

Dresser Drawers

Storing an envelope full of cash, jewelry, and valuable coins next to your undies is not only convenient for you, it's convenient for them too.

The Closet

While we're in the master bedroom, let's also debunk the idea that a box on a shelf or in the bottom of your closet is a good hiding spot.

A Portable Safe

If you have a small safe but it's not bolted down, it's probably a waste of time.

The Medicine Cabinet

Your bathroom medicine cabinet could be a target because thieves are looking for prescription pills they can sell. This also makes hiding cash and valuables in the medicine cabinet a bad idea.

A Flower Vase

Experts say an empty flower vase screams, "I have valuables hidden in here!" They're less likely to look inside a vase if there are actually flowers in it.

The Liquor Cabinet

Although a liquor cabinet may not seem like an area that thieves would check, think of minors who may be looking to get their hands on some booze.

Suitcases

Storing clothing and infrequently-used items in a suitcase when you're not traveling may seem like a good idea. But experts warn that thieves will open suitcases looking for valuables - so don't store anything in there that you can't live without.

Office Desk Drawers

Storing birth certificates and other important documents in an office drawer may be convenient - but it also makes it convenient for burglars to steal the very things that can lead to identity theft.