15 Most Popular Items Stolen in Home Burglaries

Ever worried about walking into a ransacked home? Home burglaries are a real concern, but being prepared can make a difference.

By understanding what thieves typically target, you can take steps to secure your valuables and avoid wasting money on replacing them.

We'll examine the most commonly stolen items during home break-ins so you can take action and protect your belongings.

Jewelry is a lucrative target. There can be a lot of value in small pieces, and they're easy to carry away and sell later.

Consider getting a safe for more expensive items so you can lock them up and make it harder for thieves to access them.

Prescription drugs are also easy to carry off and sell, so make sure they're secure.

Also, talk to your doctor or pharmacy about how to quickly get a new prescription in case of a break-in.

A wallet is likely to have cash and credit cards, making it a tempting target for thieves.

Find a place to store your wallet that isn't easily accessible to thieves. Don't leave it sitting on a table or kitchen counter near the back door.

Thieves look for expensive designer shoes and sneakers that can be easily lifted from your home and quickly resold for a profit. So, don't leave costly shoes out in the open.

Thieves can easily resell designer clothing. Thieves may head for your closet so they can stop and grab expensive name brands that can be sold privately.

Do you keep keys conveniently hanging on hooks by your back door or near your garage? That can make them easy pickings for thieves.

Your keys can give someone access to your home, car, or office, so it may be a good idea to put them in a hidden location.

Thieves can easily steal your identity if they take valuable documents from your home.

Documents like your passport, Social Security card, and even your tax returns can be used by thieves intent on identity theft.

Leaving keys near your car or even in your car makes it easy for thieves to take your vehicle. So, never leave your keys in your unlocked vehicle, and don't leave them in a place where thieves can quickly find them.

That expensive bottle of wine or champagne you've been saving for a special occasion may end up in the hands of a thief.

Consider putting such special bottles in a more secure location.

Warmer weather means bringing out your patio furniture. But that furniture can be easily stolen and resold by thieves who won't even need to break into your home.

Don't leave valuable furniture sitting in the backyard or on a front porch.

Thieves like firearms because they are often small and easy to sell. Keep firearms secured at all times to keep them safe and to protect them from being stolen.

Thieves can make a profit on computers from a large desktop to a small laptop.

Back up important files on an external computer drive or the cloud so you don't lose files for good in a home invasion.

Thieves may also target smartphones, tablets, and gaming systems. Some electronics also contain important personal information that thieves can use to steal your identity.

Thieves can easily steal tools and get a good amount of money for them when reselling them. So, be careful to lock up and secure valuable tools.

Sports equipment such as golf clubs, hockey skates, and skis are expensive. That makes them a prime target for thieves.

Thieves know these items can be sold later, making them profitable even if they are cumbersome to steal.

Home burglaries can be scary, but taking a few extra precautions can help keep your possessions safe.

You want to build your wealth, not see it disappear into the hands of thieves. Taking extra steps to protect your valuables can help keep your goods out of the clutches of others.