Home Security Secrets Burglars Wouldn't Dare Share (But We Will!)

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Transcript

00:00:00 Wait, can you hear that?

00:00:04 Sounds like someone's knocking on your door.

00:00:06 And you aren't expecting anyone.

00:00:08 Well, maybe that's just your neighbor come to ask for some garden tools again.

00:00:12 You get up to go downstairs, but then you hear the noise of metal scratching in the

00:00:17 keyhole.

00:00:18 You stop, frozen in fear.

00:00:21 Seconds later, you can hear the door clicking.

00:00:23 The problem is that you live alone.

00:00:25 First, let's make sure there really is someone in the house, but you should be very quiet

00:00:31 in case there's a burglar.

00:00:33 Look outside the house to search for traces.

00:00:36 Can you see anything suspicious?

00:00:38 Is there an unknown vehicle close to your house?

00:00:41 Maybe you can spot some footsteps or a broken window.

00:00:44 Was the fence gate open?

00:00:46 There might also be hints inside the house, but be careful if you're looking for them.

00:00:51 Make sure you can't be seen.

00:00:53 Maybe there's some lights off that are usually on, or maybe there's some mud on the floor

00:00:57 that wasn't there before.

00:01:00 Listen carefully to the sounds.

00:01:02 Maybe you can hear some footsteps or movement, or the creak of a door.

00:01:06 Wait, did you hear it?

00:01:09 Looks like someone bumped into your tea table.

00:01:11 Ok, it looks like there really is someone in your house.

00:01:15 So your next step is to try to get out of the house to be safe.

00:01:19 If it's possible, leave altogether.

00:01:21 Both the front door or the back door, or even a window works.

00:01:25 If it's a bit risky, you might want to try and escape.

00:01:29 An injury is nothing compared with your life.

00:01:32 If escaping is not an option, then lock yourself somewhere.

00:01:37 Bedrooms are usually the first rooms burglars check because that's where most people keep

00:01:41 their valuables.

00:01:42 So it's better to stay away from them.

00:01:44 Still, if there's no other way, bedrooms better than nothing.

00:01:48 Lock it and pretend you're asleep.

00:01:50 But if you can, then better hide somewhere else.

00:01:54 The bathroom is a great choice because it's usually not of interest to burglars.

00:01:59 Now stay quiet.

00:02:01 The burglar probably won't spend more than 10 minutes in your house.

00:02:04 If the intruder doesn't find you're inside, you'll avoid confrontation.

00:02:09 The most important thing is you staying safe.

00:02:12 So don't move or make any noise.

00:02:14 As soon as you're safe and hidden, call the police immediately.

00:02:18 Remember, when calling them, always give your location first.

00:02:22 In case something happens and you're not able to finish your conversation, at least

00:02:26 they'll know where to go.

00:02:29 If you can do it without being noticed, try to study the intruder as carefully as you

00:02:33 can.

00:02:34 Make sure to remember their height, body type, the way of walking, hair color, race, gender,

00:02:40 age, and any other specific details you might notice.

00:02:44 Anything you can spot will be helpful.

00:02:47 If you can look outside and see the vehicle, remember its brand, color, and the license

00:02:51 plate number.

00:02:53 Then wait again.

00:02:55 Just freeze and never leave the place you've chosen until the burglar leaves or the authorities

00:03:00 arrive and help you out.

00:03:02 But burglars don't go to any random house.

00:03:05 They don't want to be noticed, so they choose their target very carefully.

00:03:10 And you can make it so they don't pick yours.

00:03:13 Make your house an open space.

00:03:15 The greenery makes the house harder to observe, so burglars pick those houses that have the

00:03:20 most of it.

00:03:21 Make sure to trim all the shrubbery that hides windows and doors.

00:03:25 Turn on the lights as soon as it's dark every day of the year.

00:03:29 Illuminate everything – the porches, the driveway, the yard, both the front and the

00:03:34 backyard.

00:03:35 First, it makes the surroundings more visible, and burglars will prefer to stay away.

00:03:39 Second, it makes an impression that there's someone home, and they don't want anyone

00:03:44 to be there when they break in.

00:03:46 Lock all the doors and windows.

00:03:49 People forget to close their bathroom window, and burglars know it very well.

00:03:53 There should never be a way in.

00:03:55 Don't leave any secret way to enter the house in case you forget your keys.

00:04:00 If you know about such a way, so do burglars.

00:04:04 If you have any trees too close to your house, cut the branches so it's not possible to

00:04:08 climb it and get into any of the windows.

00:04:11 Keep all of your tools and store ladders in a locked garage.

00:04:15 Don't ever keep them lying around when you don't use them, because they can all be

00:04:19 used to break into your house.

00:04:21 Don't have any spare keys hidden in random places outside the house.

00:04:25 Better give one to a neighbor you trust.

00:04:28 When you move into a new house or apartment, change the locks if possible.

00:04:33 Make sure that your doors look modern and reliable.

00:04:36 Old and bad doors that are easy to crack attract burglars.

00:04:40 Don't throw away copies of documents or unnecessary checks just like that.

00:04:46 Burglars can check your trash to learn more about you.

00:04:49 So shred documents into itty-bitty pieces before you throw them away.

00:04:53 Don't leave boxes from a new plasma TV, expensive phone, laptop, or gold watch near

00:04:59 your house.

00:05:00 Don't show anybody that you're well-off.

00:05:03 Make sure that the house number is clearly displayed and can be easily noticed.

00:05:07 This way, the authorities or any other help will be able to find your house way faster.

00:05:13 Even if you have security cameras installed, they don't guarantee that your house won't

00:05:17 become a target.

00:05:19 The cameras are helpful when finding the robber after everything's happened, but they don't

00:05:23 prevent any action.

00:05:25 Many robberies happen when people are away for some holiday, so the burglars shouldn't

00:05:30 find out you're not going to be home for a long time.

00:05:33 Whenever you leave, make it look like you're actually home.

00:05:37 Tell your neighbors you're leaving.

00:05:38 Ask them to keep an eye out on your house and check it from time to time.

00:05:43 To check if there's someone currently living in the house, burglars often check the mail.

00:05:47 If the mailbox is full, it means there's no one living there right now.

00:05:52 Ask your neighbor to collect the mail for you and clean the porch from ads and newspapers.

00:05:57 Burglars may also leave marks on your house.

00:06:00 For example, they can put a thin strip cut from a plastic bottle into the doorway.

00:06:05 If it stays on the door for one or two days, this tells the burglar that there is no one

00:06:10 at home.

00:06:11 So, ask your neighbor to check these things out too.

00:06:14 Ask them to park their car occasionally in front of your house for a while.

00:06:18 This will give an impression that you have visitors.

00:06:20 Still, if the house stands quiet for days, it's obvious there's no one living there

00:06:25 currently.

00:06:27 You can set up a timer for lights, radio, or TV so it works a couple of hours a day.

00:06:33 If you're leaving for a long time, make arrangements so that your grass is cut and

00:06:37 watered or the snow in front of your house is shoveled.

00:06:40 It's a good idea not to post photos from your vacation while you're there.

00:06:45 Burglars use social media, and they do their research.

00:06:48 It's dangerous even if you have a private account because burglars can collaborate with

00:06:53 tech-savvy criminals.

00:06:55 They would break into the accounts of rich people, find out when they were going on vacation,

00:06:59 and inform the burglars about it.

00:07:02 Before someone breaks into your house, they watch it for a while.

00:07:06 They want to know when you're home and when you're not.

00:07:09 If you start getting many random calls, it might be a sign that they check what time

00:07:14 of the day you're out.

00:07:16 If the light sensors start malfunctioning, check immediately if everything's alright.

00:07:21 This doesn't always mean there are problems with electricity.

00:07:24 Burglars may cut the wiring.

00:07:26 Watch out for doors.

00:07:28 If you notice scratches on the lock or it's becoming harder for you to open the door with

00:07:32 your key, it might mean that someone tried to break into your house.

00:07:37 Change the locks immediately.

00:07:39 A break-in starts with a knock on the door.

00:07:41 If you happen to be home at the time, it's important to learn how to answer it to scare

00:07:45 them away.

00:07:47 Always pretend like you're not home alone.

00:07:49 You can call out something like, "Can anyone answer the door, please?"

00:07:53 Teach your kids that they should never answer the door or open it to anyone unsupervised.

00:08:02 You've probably heard that when a burglar decides which house to target, they start

00:08:06 by casing it.

00:08:08 This means that they watch the owners, find out information about their routine, and determine

00:08:13 the best time for entering their home.

00:08:15 By the time they're ready to commit the crime, they already know for sure when there

00:08:19 won't be anybody inside or when the owners will be distracted.

00:08:24 One of the tricks thieves use to gather information about your routine is so simple that you may

00:08:29 not even give it a second thought.

00:08:31 But the next time you hear a quiet crackle under the sole of your shoe, stop and check

00:08:36 what it was.

00:08:37 The chances are high that you'll find yourself face-to-face with a crushed cookie.

00:08:42 If that's the case, it's your clue that something has gone terribly wrong.

00:08:47 The thing is, this is a rather effective tool criminals use to find out if you've left

00:08:51 on a trip or when exactly you come home in the evening.

00:08:54 A cookie is such an innocent object that people don't usually give it much thought, if they

00:08:59 even notice it at all.

00:09:01 You arrive home, step on the cookie, make it crumble, and automatically reveal all your

00:09:06 secrets to burglars.

00:09:08 They know for sure if the house is lived in and can also figure out the schedule of its

00:09:12 owners.

00:09:13 Things get even worse if you're away from home.

00:09:16 The cookie under the doormat remains whole, thus alerting criminals that the house is

00:09:20 perfect for a break-in.

00:09:21 So, if you find some treats under your doormat, that's pretty bad news.

00:09:27 Someone is interested in your house and watching it.

00:09:30 It might be a good idea to notify the police or take some safety measures.

00:09:34 Now the ploy with a cookie is just one of the numerous tricks used by burglars.

00:09:39 One more sign that can alert you to the fact that you're being watched is white pebbles

00:09:44 left near the house or in the driveway.

00:09:46 This means that a criminal has already visited your home and marked it as worth entering.

00:09:52 Another reason why thieves may have left the pebbles is to indicate that your house stays

00:09:56 empty during the day.

00:09:58 So, if you're walking along the street and notice a USB flash drive sticking out of a

00:10:03 curb or a wall, don't get confused.

00:10:06 You have most likely stumbled across a dead drop.

00:10:10 Despite its ominous name, this is a global art project that has borrowed some tricks

00:10:14 from the world of spies and espionage.

00:10:17 Lots of people who know about this project are happy to be able to put on their black

00:10:21 coat and dark sunglasses and go to swap confidential information with others.

00:10:26 The thing is that many decades ago, spies had their own ways to exchange secret materials.

00:10:31 There was a live drop when spies met in person, but this was often extremely dangerous.

00:10:37 That's why a dead drop system was invented.

00:10:40 In this case, some loose bricks in a wall in an alleyway hid important documents that

00:10:45 had to be picked up later.

00:10:47 Nowadays, there are more than 1,500 dead drops all over the world, and the accumulated data

00:10:52 on these flash drives reaches 10 terabytes.

00:10:56 You can come across a dead drop on any continent you visit, except Antarctica, maybe because

00:11:01 there are not so many walls there.

00:11:03 So, if you find one, what do you do with it?

00:11:06 First of all, it's highly inadvisable to connect random USB flash drives to your computer.

00:11:12 You never know what viruses are lurking there, looking forward to destroying your hard drive

00:11:16 content.

00:11:17 And while risk is a part of the game, don't overdo it.

00:11:21 If you're 100% sure that you want to play, secure your computer as well as you can, or

00:11:26 even better.

00:11:27 Secondly, you can't even guess what information will be waiting for you on a flash drive.

00:11:33 It can download videos, photos, or text files, and this has already led to several problems.

00:11:39 Speaking of which, have you got a parcel with a USB stick in it?

00:11:43 Whatever you decide to do with it, don't plug the flash drive in.

00:11:47 Such cases have been more and more frequent in Australia.

00:11:50 The police warn people that hackers have invented a new tactic.

00:11:54 They drop unmarked memory sticks to letterboxes.

00:11:57 It'll probably come as no surprise that these devices contain malware able to mess up your

00:12:02 computer.

00:12:03 They evidently rely on human curiosity, and, in all honesty, it pays off.

00:12:09 People can't fight an inexplicable desire to check the contents of a mysterious gift.

00:12:15 As a result, almost half of USB sticks received by post get plugged in.

00:12:20 After that, people start having serious problems with their laptops and computers.

00:12:25 For example, fraudulent media begins to stream service offers, or computer viruses harm files

00:12:31 and programs on a PC.

00:12:32 So no touching the free flash drive, ok?

00:12:36 Now you leave a shopping mall, your office, an airport, and go to the parking lot to find

00:12:41 your car.

00:12:42 You unlock it and put the key in the ignition.

00:12:45 When you're about to start your vehicle and drive away, you see something strange on your

00:12:49 windshield.

00:12:50 Is that a $100 bill wrapped around your wiper?

00:12:53 Oh, you could certainly find a way to spend this unexpected gift.

00:12:58 But do you really think someone accidentally put money on your windshield and forgot all

00:13:02 about it?

00:13:03 Beware, this is nothing but a ruse.

00:13:06 Because…

00:13:07 As soon as you get out of your car to get a closer look at this mysterious banknote,

00:13:12 the owner of the banknote will take action.

00:13:14 They will get into your car and drive off at a record-breaking speed.

00:13:18 Let's admit that no one would turn off their ignition and take their belongings with them

00:13:23 if they got out of their car to check the windshield for a C-note.

00:13:27 As a result, in under a minute, you'll lose your car, your wallet, and your documents,

00:13:32 and you'll be left stranded in the parking lot.

00:13:34 People have recently started to find some article of clothing, like a shirt for instance,

00:13:39 lying on their windshield or wrapped up in their wipers.

00:13:42 If you ever happen to be one of these people, don't fall into this trap and don't try

00:13:46 to remove the object.

00:13:48 Just get in your car and drive away as fast as you can from the place you were parked.

00:13:53 This seemingly misplaced garment is actually a new con being used by muggers and thieves.

00:13:58 It works like this.

00:14:00 If you see some random piece of clothing that prevents your wipers from moving or obscures

00:14:04 your view, your first reaction will be to remove it, of course.

00:14:08 But while you're distracted untying it or trying to get it off, the criminal has plenty

00:14:13 of time to jump you.

00:14:15 The most common place for this sort of scam is parking garages.

00:14:18 They're usually badly lit and pretty deserted, which means there are few witnesses around

00:14:23 and plenty of dark spaces for the attacker to lie in wait.

00:14:27 Now if one day you come home and notice some graffiti or markings on your door or house,

00:14:33 call the police immediately.

00:14:35 Even if it just looks like a teenage prank or a simple scratch, it's better to be safe

00:14:39 than sorry because burglars use certain marks to tell other criminals different things about

00:14:45 your house.

00:14:46 For example, something resembling a Roman numeral 2 means that the homeowners are rich,

00:14:52 so the place is a great target.

00:14:54 On the other hand, a crossed circle tells other burglars that there's nothing valuable

00:14:58 to take from the house.

00:15:01 Kinda makes you want to mark your own house like that.

00:15:03 Now a long horizontal rectangle divided into four parts means the place has a big aggressive

00:15:08 guard dog.

00:15:09 A triangle divided into two parts by a vertical line tells criminals to hit the place only

00:15:15 at night, while a reversed one says that a house or apartment is free after dinner.

00:15:21 And something looking like a combined A and K lets their fellow burglars know that the

00:15:25 house is always full of people.

00:15:28 Did you know there's even a fraternity for burglars who love to steal desserts named

00:15:33 "I oughta grab a pie"?

00:15:35 Sorry I made that up.

00:15:37 A new trick being used by car thieves, and that's the trick with a coin.

00:15:41 They slip it into the space between the door and the door handle.

00:15:45 When a car owner thinks they've locked the door with a remote, the vehicle is, in fact,

00:15:49 still open.

00:15:50 The coin prevents the lock on one of the doors from working.

00:15:53 As soon as the owner walks away from the car, the thief has no problems at all opening the

00:15:58 door and driving away.

00:16:01 Another trick.

00:16:02 As soon as there's some public gathering, a big party, or even a busy day at the mall,

00:16:07 car thieves make an announcement over the PA system that a particular car (chosen by

00:16:11 them of course) has blocked their vehicle in and they can't leave.

00:16:16 As soon as the owner comes out to move his car, a group of guys start to act.

00:16:20 They assume, and for good reason, that the person is carrying the key to his car.

00:16:26 In the US, one burglary happens every 18 seconds.

00:16:30 It takes an experienced burglar between 90 seconds and 12 minutes to grab everything

00:16:34 they need and get out of there before they get caught.

00:16:36 You've probably heard that when a burglar decides which house to target, they start

00:16:40 by casing it.

00:16:42 This means they watch the owners, find out information about their routine, and determine

00:16:46 the best time to enter their home.

00:16:49 One of the tricks thieves use to gather information about your routine is so simple that you might

00:16:53 not even give it a second thought.

00:16:56 But the next time you hear a quiet crunch under your shoe as you're unlocking the front

00:16:59 door, stop and check what it is.

00:17:02 Chances are, you'll find yourself face to face with a crushed cookie.

00:17:06 If that's the case, it's your clue that something has gone terribly wrong.

00:17:10 This is a pretty effective tool burglars use to find out if you've left on a trip or when

00:17:15 exactly you come home every day.

00:17:17 A cookie is such an innocent little thing that people don't usually give it much thought.

00:17:22 If they even notice it at all, many probably assume they just crushed a bug under the mat.

00:17:27 You arrive home, step on the cookie, make it crumble, and automatically reveal all your

00:17:35 secrets to burglars.

00:17:37 They know for sure if the house is lived in and can also figure out the homeowner's schedule.

00:17:41 Things get even worse if you're away for a while.

00:17:44 The cookie under the doormat remains intact, thus alerting criminals that the house is

00:17:48 perfect for a break-in.

00:17:50 To decrease your chances of a burglar dropping some cookies under your doormat, don't announce

00:17:55 everything on social media.

00:17:57 You won't believe how many criminals today use it to gather information.

00:18:01 Don't post any details about your vacation plans.

00:18:03 If you're eager to share your amazing photos from the beach, do it after you get back home.

00:18:08 Check your privacy settings every time you post something when you're away from home.

00:18:12 It's all too simple for a thief to figure out that your house is empty at the moment

00:18:16 if you're ranting online about how crowded these stores are on Black Friday.

00:18:21 Get to know your neighbors.

00:18:22 If you build a strong network around you in your community, bad guys consider your neighborhood

00:18:26 too high of a risk.

00:18:28 Every time you go away, inform your neighbors.

00:18:31 Ask them to text or call you if they notice anything suspicious going on around your house.

00:18:36 You can do the same for them next time they go on a trip.

00:18:40 Create the impression that there's somebody at home even when you're away.

00:18:43 Use the TV and radio.

00:18:45 Leave them on when you're away.

00:18:48 The sound of voices will most likely scare burglars away, even if that cookie is still

00:18:52 whole.

00:18:53 One of the most obvious signs that a homeowner has gone away for a while is a pile of newspapers

00:18:58 and mail piling up at the front door.

00:19:01 Ask somebody—a neighbor, a relative, or a friend—to stop by regularly and pick it

00:19:06 all up.

00:19:07 If there's nobody who can do you this favor, place your mail on hold.

00:19:11 You can do this at your local post office.

00:19:13 Another thing that can give away your prolonged absence is an unkempt lawn with tall grass.

00:19:18 Before going away, hire somebody to mow your yard regularly and keep the lawn tidy.

00:19:24 Keep a sharp eye and stay safe.

00:19:26 [Music]

00:19:40 Every year, there are about two and a half million burglaries.

00:19:43 That's one every 13 seconds.

00:19:45 And the one thing any burglar wants to know all about when targeting your house—you.

00:19:51 What valuables you have, what you buy, where you travel, your schedule, any and everything.

00:19:59 Your doorbell rings, you answer it, and nobody's on the other side.

00:20:03 Before you blame those neighborhood pranksters again, consider this.

00:20:07 Someone could be checking to see if you're home.

00:20:09 Same goes for any strange calls you get with nobody on the other line.

00:20:14 On that note, don't just open the door at any knock or ring.

00:20:19 Verify who's on the other side first.

00:20:21 If they say they're from your utility company, rental office, or city services,

00:20:25 ask them for ID and call the company to get it checked.

00:20:29 Even if you have a video doorbell, anybody can buy any uniform these days.

00:20:33 Don't go based on looks alone.

00:20:35 A seemingly innocent flyer or ad under the doormat can also mean your house is a target.

00:20:41 If it's still there the next day, it can make burglars think that nobody's home.

00:20:45 Any person who finds some junk mail under their feet will throw it away, right?

00:20:49 They have clever ways of finding out if you have an alarm system,

00:20:52 what kind of doors and windows you have, if you have a dog, where you like to go on vacation, and so on.

00:20:58 If you feel uncomfortable or suspicious about weird questions some stranger asks you,

00:21:03 go with your gut and don't overshare.

00:21:05 Know that something's not right if somebody's taking pics of your house and car.

00:21:10 They might even try to be sneaky about it, like pretending they're taking a selfie,

00:21:14 or talking on the phone as they snap the pic.

00:21:17 If you don't trust random photographers,

00:21:20 stay cool and explain that you don't want them to do it and that it's your private property.

00:21:25 Burglars might also stage some accident just to lure you out of your house.

00:21:30 A fake utility worker can claim there's a gas or water leak.

00:21:34 You leave the room for a couple of minutes, but it's already too late.

00:21:38 An experienced burglar can get what they need in as little as 90 seconds.

00:21:43 Always validate the identity of strangers showing up like this.

00:21:47 Just call your utility provider.

00:21:50 Beware if you see some sticker or paint on your door.

00:21:54 Sure, these could just be coincidental nuisances,

00:21:57 but it can also be a sign that someone wants to mark your house and set it apart from the rest.

00:22:03 Get rid of it as soon as you can.

00:22:06 Be careful when you sell your car or any other big price items.

00:22:11 Delete the ads you posted as soon as you sell it.

00:22:14 Many burglars call and pretend to be interested, asking if you still have it.

00:22:19 Saying, "No, sold it already," will let them know you've just gotten a lot of money.

00:22:24 Even if you spent it already, this person might like to break in and find out for themselves.

00:22:31 You wake up in the middle of the night from a noise coming from downstairs.

00:22:37 First thing you need to do is check what the noise is.

00:22:40 If you suspect someone's in your house, do this quickly and quietly.

00:22:44 It might just be a mouse that knocked something over.

00:22:47 Still, if your suspicions are confirmed and you see someone in your dining hall, look for a way out immediately.

00:22:54 Use the fire escape ladder if you have one.

00:22:56 Otherwise, a window might do the trick.

00:22:59 Still, chances are you'll have to stay put.

00:23:02 Grab the phone and call the authorities.

00:23:04 Give them your address and explain the situation as briefly as you can.

00:23:08 And in a heartbeat, they'll dispatch a unit to your house.

00:23:12 Reaching your street, they can't find your house number anywhere.

00:23:15 They get there eventually, but only after having followed the numbers from other houses in the neighborhood.

00:23:20 By the time the authorities arrive, the burglars already escaped.

00:23:25 That's because your house number can barely be seen.

00:23:27 It's so tiny.

00:23:29 Your mailbox's one is barely noticeable, too.

00:23:32 Get a new and shiny plaque.

00:23:34 Make sure the number's big and visible.

00:23:37 This will not only help your guests find your house sooner,

00:23:40 but you'll also avoid the authorities missing your house next time.

00:23:44 While you're at it, make sure the mailbox number's visible, too.

00:23:48 Another good way to protect your house is by adding a fence to it if you don't already have one.

00:23:53 Make sure it's hard to get through.

00:23:55 Use chain link or even metal fencing.

00:23:58 Dig it into concrete as well so burglars can't lift it.

00:24:01 If you're okay with a rough look, you can even try out barbed wire fencing.

00:24:06 Next up, add lighting to your yard, because if your yard's all dark,

00:24:10 it'll be a perfect target for unwanted visitors.

00:24:13 Keep a few lamps outside that you can turn on and off.

00:24:16 A well-lit yard will let you see what's up outside, and your neighbors, too.

00:24:21 If they spot someone, they'll call you and the authorities if need be.

00:24:25 A spotlight camera is an extra.

00:24:27 It usually stays off during daytime and works with a motion detector.

00:24:31 It's really bright and lights up when it senses any movement.

00:24:35 You can even get one that also starts recording at once.

00:24:39 So not only will you frighten burglars,

00:24:41 but we'll also have video proof in case anything does happen.

00:24:45 Another thing is a ring camera.

00:24:47 Whenever someone rings the door, you can pick it up without even being home.

00:24:52 Since your phone's connected to the doorbell,

00:24:54 you only need to answer the call wherever you are.

00:24:57 If it's someone you don't know and you're smelling something fishy,

00:25:00 you can pretend to be home and let them know you're not interested.

00:25:04 Dense shrubs in your yard will give the burglar a place to hide,

00:25:08 and you might not even notice there's someone trespassing.

00:25:11 Keep your shrubbery closely trimmed.

00:25:13 It'll not only keep you safe, but also add a bit more shine to your yard.

00:25:18 While you're out on vacation, avoid posting your whereabouts on social media.

00:25:22 Say someone's had your house on their radar for a while now.

00:25:26 You being gone is the perfect opportunity for them to strike.

00:25:30 Leave posting the nice pictures you took for when you get back home,

00:25:33 and you can keep an eye on things.

00:25:35 Oh, and don't show people what you do day to day either.

00:25:39 It'll be easy for someone to keep track of your daily schedule

00:25:42 and plan an assault for when you're out grocery shopping, for example.

00:25:46 This one's obvious, but always lock your home when you leave,

00:25:50 even if you think you live in a safe neighborhood.

00:25:52 And if you've just moved into a new house, change your locks too.

00:25:56 It works for apartments as well, or even if you're just renting a room.

00:26:00 You can never be too safe.

00:26:02 Always keep the appearance that someone's inside the house, even when it's empty.

00:26:07 The first way to do it is leave your television on,

00:26:10 or even better, buy a TV simulator.

00:26:14 This way, you can program it to turn on and off as you please.

00:26:18 I mean, it'd be weird if it was constantly on.

00:26:21 It'll save you a couple of bucks as well,

00:26:23 because simulators consume less than the real thing.

00:26:26 Get a plug-in alarm clock as well, and connect a lamp to it.

00:26:30 Set timers for it to go off, let's say dinner time, and for a while at night.

00:26:35 You can also get an extra alarm clock and connect a radio to it.

00:26:39 If people think you're blasting some tunes, they surely won't try to do anything.

00:26:43 Don't forget any valuable items outside,

00:26:46 things like your grill, bikes, and any machinery you might have.

00:26:49 Store them inside your garage instead, and lock it tight.

00:26:53 Security cameras outside your home will let you keep an eye on things,

00:26:57 even while you're at work.

00:26:58 This one's particularly good if you're extra worried someone's going to break in.

00:27:03 Consider reinforcing your door, even if it's relatively new.

00:27:06 Instead of breaking in, they might try and completely knock down the door if they're desperate to get in.

00:27:11 Get a sturdier one that won't come down easily.

00:27:14 This goes for windows too.

00:27:16 It's worth investing in a type of glass that won't break when a rock hits it.

00:27:20 Or, use security film.

00:27:23 It's a strong, transparent plastic you put on your windows to strengthen them.

00:27:27 Even if your windows break, this film will hold the shards of glass in place.

00:27:31 It'll delay the entry by quite a bit, so they might even quit the whole thing.

00:27:36 How much mail you've got also lets people know if you're home or not.

00:27:40 If there's a huge pile of it, it's clear you haven't checked it for at least a couple of days.

00:27:44 So even if your house wasn't a target, it might be now.

00:27:48 Get familiar with your neighbors.

00:27:50 Invite them over for a cup of tea, and talk about your concerns.

00:27:53 You'll watch their back, and they'll watch yours.

00:27:56 And if anyone suspicious comes around, they'll let you know.

00:27:59 You can even ask for a favor or two while you're on vacation.

00:28:02 Ask them to park one of their cars in your driveway, to pretend someone's at home.

00:28:06 While you're at it, give them the key to your mailbox, and ask them to take your letters for you.

00:28:11 You'll repay them when they go on vacation.

00:28:14 Take a walk around your house, and put yourself in the mind of a burglar.

00:28:18 What would you do to get in?

00:28:20 There's a tree there that you can climb to reach the second floor.

00:28:23 Or, maybe it's just too easy to climb the pile of junk that you've got there.

00:28:27 It's worth getting rid of both, to keep the top floors hard to reach.

00:28:31 And no one will be tempted to break the top windows and try to get in like that.

00:28:35 If you've got a mail slot in your front door, be aware of mailbox phishing.

00:28:40 It's where a burglar puts a pole straight through the mail slot, and fishes for keys.

00:28:44 Or, maybe even tries to unlock the door.

00:28:47 Get a mailbox cage.

00:28:49 This way, if they try to do this, they won't get far.

00:28:52 Valuables inside the house are another thing.

00:28:55 Keep them out of sight as much as you can.

00:28:58 The safest thing you can do is get a safe.

00:29:01 But otherwise, you can get decoy items, just in case burglars do get in your house.

00:29:06 Keep a few fake gold bracelets next to your bedside table.

00:29:10 They'll think they've scored big time, when in fact, they're going home empty-handed.

00:29:15 If you've always wanted a pet, now's the time to get a dog.

00:29:19 Make sure it has a cozy place to sleep outside.

00:29:22 And as a thank you, it's going to protect your house.

00:29:25 As soon as it hears someone step foot in the yard, it'll warn you by barking.

00:29:29 Not only that, but it'll wake up the entire neighborhood too,

00:29:33 which will bring even more attention to what's happening.

00:29:36 Don't ever put up a calendar, or all of this will be for nothing.

00:29:40 Say, a burglar comes out the back, and just looks through the window.

00:29:44 If they spot a calendar with the exact dates you're going to be away,

00:29:48 none of these tricks will work, because they'll know better than to fall for them.

00:29:53 And as a last resort, you can get a panic button, and keep it next to you when you sleep.

00:29:58 You can program it to call the authorities with the press of a button.

00:30:01 With that, you'll have alerted them that your house is being invaded.

00:30:06 When a stranger asks you to take a picture of them, and gives you a phone,

00:30:09 don't rush to take it.

00:30:11 Look at them first. If he or she looks suspicious or unfriendly,

00:30:15 it's better to refuse the request nicely.

00:30:18 Maybe it's a fraud.

00:30:20 They give you the phone, you turn on the camera, and see that it's broken.

00:30:24 The image in the photo is damaged.

00:30:26 You give the stranger their phone back, and they accuse you of breaking the phone.

00:30:30 They demand money, and behave aggressively.

00:30:33 In such a situation, it's better not to panic, and not be provoked.

00:30:37 Calmly leave. Make it clear that you won't fall for this.

00:30:40 And if they behave too aggressively, then call the police.

00:30:44 You're walking down the street, and a man or woman in dirty clothes runs up to you.

00:30:49 They pretend to be homeless, and behave like they're in a hurry.

00:30:52 They show you a strange coin, and say they found it in a basement of an old house.

00:30:56 The stranger says the coin is a very rare specimen, and is worth thousands of dollars.

00:31:01 You take a photo of the coin, and find out information about it on the internet.

00:31:05 And it turns out to be true.

00:31:07 The coin is expensive.

00:31:09 The homeless person can't sell it for that kind of money, because no one will believe them.

00:31:13 They offer to give the coin to you for a few hundred bucks.

00:31:16 The offer seems profitable, but it's a hoax.

00:31:19 The stranger offers you a fake that costs no more than a couple of dollars.

00:31:23 They pretend to be poor and homeless to make their story seem realistic.

00:31:27 Refuse the purchase, and call the police.

00:31:29 This guy can trick other people too.

00:31:31 Thieves can put an advertising flyer, a newspaper, or a sticker on the door of your house or apartment.

00:31:37 In the doorway, you can find a piece of paper, or a thin strip from a plastic bottle.

00:31:41 If you don't remove one of these items for a long time, then the thieves understand that you're not at home.

00:31:46 This way, thieves mark buildings and apartments that are easy to get into.

00:31:50 After all, getting into an empty apartment is much safer.

00:31:54 So as soon as you see a foreign object, immediately get rid of it.

00:31:58 If a flyer or bookmark hangs on the door for one or two days, it tells the thief that no one's home.

00:32:03 Of course, these can be real advertising stickers, but you still don't need them.

00:32:07 In addition to flyers, they may be strange labels on the house or apartment door.

00:32:11 Numbers, crosses, or other symbols.

00:32:14 This is how robbers mark houses they're about to break in.

00:32:17 If you see such a sign, it's better to call the police.

00:32:21 You're approaching your car and see a shirt or a piece of cloth wrapped around the wiper.

00:32:25 At this moment, don't try to remove it.

00:32:28 Calmly get into the car, look around, and drive away from this place.

00:32:32 Then, when you have changed the location, you can safely take off the cloth.

00:32:36 The fact is that the scammers tie the fabric on the wipers on purpose and as tightly as possible.

00:32:42 While you're messing around with the shirt and try to take it off,

00:32:45 they can get into your car and drive away or even jump you from behind.

00:32:49 You arrive at the supermarket, stop in the parking lot, and get out of the car.

00:32:54 At this moment, another, more expensive car stops nearby.

00:32:58 A neat and wealthy-looking man comes out of there and asks you for some money for gas.

00:33:02 He says that his phones run out of juice.

00:33:05 He forgot his wallet at home, and he urgently needs to refill his tank.

00:33:09 He promises to send you the money as soon as he gets to the phone.

00:33:13 Don't give him money. He's a fraud.

00:33:15 It might seem he really needs help and will definitely return the money

00:33:18 because he looks like an honest and decent person.

00:33:21 But most likely, his car is rented and his clothes are cheap.

00:33:25 During the day, he drives around the city and asks to borrow money for the gas from different drivers,

00:33:30 counting on their sympathy.

00:33:32 At the end of the day, he accumulates a large amount and doesn't return it.

00:33:36 You walk down the street and see a beautiful coin or a phone lying on the ground.

00:33:40 Don't pick it up. It's well-glued to the asphalt.

00:33:43 You will not be able to lift it on the first attempt.

00:33:45 You will start trying to take the object off the ground,

00:33:48 and while you're at it, the scammer will run past and grab your bag.

00:33:51 Such a clever trick resembles cheese in a mouse trap.

00:33:55 In movies, we often see how thieves feed a dog to make it friendly during a house robbery,

00:34:00 or they add sleeping pills to dog food.

00:34:02 In reality, everything is much more unpleasant.

00:34:05 Thieves can steal your dog to make it easier to rob the house.

00:34:08 Of course, if the dog is missing, it doesn't always mean someone wants to rob you.

00:34:12 However, if this happens, then you need to be on your guard.

00:34:16 Robbers and thieves spend a lot of time on social networks.

00:34:20 Don't rush to post photos from your vacation in another country.

00:34:24 When you do this, you basically shout to the whole world,

00:34:27 "Look how far away I am from my house!"

00:34:30 It's better to wait until you get home and only then upload the photos.

00:34:34 Also, there are cases when thieves collaborate with mobile scammers.

00:34:38 They got access to the social pages of some people to find out when they were going on vacation.

00:34:43 Then, they reported the information to the real robbers.

00:34:46 You're driving home from work and suddenly notice you're almost out of gas.

00:34:50 That's weird because you recently filled a full tank.

00:34:53 You go to the gas station and to the car repair center to check if there is a gas leak in the vehicle.

00:34:58 Meanwhile, robbers can take things out of your house.

00:35:01 They deliberately drain the fuel from your car so that you go to the gas station.

00:35:05 They detain you and buy time to clean out your home.

00:35:08 If you're sure that you refueled recently and the gas was drained from you,

00:35:12 then you should call your neighbors and ask them to monitor your house or apartment.

00:35:18 If you regularly use cleaning services for your house, then you should be alerted by the appearance of a new cleaner.

00:35:24 Every time a cleaner is replaced, the cleaning company should warn you about it.

00:35:29 If this didn't happen, check for yourself.

00:35:31 Call and find out all about the new cleaner.

00:35:34 If they have new information about the new employer,

00:35:36 then probably the thief wants to get into your apartment and inspect it for valuables.

00:35:41 Call the police and don't let the "cleaner" inside the house.

00:35:45 Also, thieves can pretend to be plumbers, doctors or social workers.

00:35:49 Demand the necessary documents from them before letting these people into your home.

00:35:53 They can be nice and sociable, but while you're talking to them, they're observing your house.

00:35:59 Don't throw unnecessary documents in the trash.

00:36:03 Scammers can check the trash cans.

00:36:05 They can find payment receipts, some certificates.

00:36:08 It doesn't mean anything to you, but a thief can get information about your ID, earnings and insurance.

00:36:15 Always chop up the documents you throw away.

00:36:18 There are many fraudulent ways in which discarded documents can be used.

00:36:23 Here are some more tips that will reduce the risk of robbery of your property.

00:36:28 Don't leave cardboard boxes from new TV, expensive phones, laptops or gold watches in the trash can.

00:36:37 There's no need to show that you're living well.

00:36:39 The advice is not to throw out such garbage near your house.

00:36:44 Also, you can cover the boxes with plastic bags, so thieves can't see them.

00:36:49 If you live in a private house and trees grow next to it, then cut off the branches stretching to your windows.

00:36:56 A thief can easily use them as a ladder.

00:36:59 Also, thieves try to avoid houses with plants and flowers growing under the windows,

00:37:05 especially if it's roses with thorns or cacti.

00:37:09 You can put a "Beware of Angry Dogs" sticker on the door even if you don't have a pet.

00:37:15 No one will want to enter inside.

00:37:17 You can even attach a fake CCTV camera.

00:37:20 It will also scare robbers away.

00:37:23 To prevent a robbery, you can create an illusion that there is always someone in the house,

00:37:28 even if you have gone on vacation.

00:37:30 No need to leave the TV or music on.

00:37:34 You can set a special timer that will be turning on the TV for a while every day.

00:37:38 There are also special light bulbs with a timer.

00:37:41 Let them light up in the house every evening and night for 20 to 30 minutes while you're away.

00:37:47 Thieves often look at filled mailboxes.

00:37:50 They see a lot of letters and realize nobody has been home for a long time.

00:37:55 Wherever you go on vacation for a while, ask a neighbor to pull out your mail.

00:38:01 Or you can go to the post office and ask not to deliver letters to your mailbox before your arrival.

00:38:07 Let's crack a burglar's code.

00:38:11 Tape on the door handle or a slice of cheese on the car's hood.

00:38:14 And many more can be signs that you're being watched by a crook.

00:38:18 Burglars don't just pick a house randomly and rob it.

00:38:23 They'll often monitor the home before they take action.

00:38:26 They want to know more about the house and its security.

00:38:29 They leave markings on the home, garage door, post box, or storage unit.

00:38:33 Get to know these markings and know what they symbolize,

00:38:36 and you'll be able to better protect your home from the bad guys.

00:38:39 If you see a circle drawn, that means in the eyes of the thieves, your house is a piece of cake to rob.

00:38:46 Maybe it has no home security system set up.

00:38:49 Yet a barred circle means to avoid entry.

00:38:52 Maybe the home has high-tech alarms, CCTV cameras, or a dog.

00:38:58 Ladder-like lines means there are valuables visible in the home,

00:39:01 so there are items in the house worth stealing.

00:39:04 If someone sprays the letter "M" in the garbage, that means empty in the morning,

00:39:08 and "N" refers to empty at night.

00:39:11 Police forces have issued warnings about the code,

00:39:14 but keep in mind that some of these signs are actually harmless messages

00:39:18 used by road workers to communicate about pipelines and so on.

00:39:21 If you see some evidence of key bumping, don't enter the house.

00:39:27 Key bumping is a technique where burglars use a similar key,

00:39:31 made with a heavier metal than the pins,

00:39:33 to file down the pins on the inside of the lock.

00:39:36 Plus, victims may encounter some problems while claiming insurance in such cases,

00:39:41 because this technique may leave no sign of forced entry on the outside of the lock.

00:39:45 You're being robbed, and you can't prove it to the insurance company.

00:39:49 Sounds like a nightmare.

00:39:51 Lock picking is a less forceful technique.

00:39:55 This one will leave marks on the doorknob, such as light scratches around the lock,

00:39:59 but the real signs will be found on the inside of the lock on the pins.

00:40:03 They'll have dents.

00:40:05 Heavy scrapes or marks on your doorknob can also indicate that someone has entered your home.

00:40:10 Thieves sometimes use screwdrivers to break the pins in the lock.

00:40:14 If you see deep scratches, marks, or a widening of the keyhole,

00:40:18 be careful when you get inside.

00:40:21 Thieves may stick a tape, and it's usually a see-through one, on the door handle.

00:40:26 Suppose the tape is still there a day or so later.

00:40:29 The squatters believe that the owner is away since the door hasn't been used.

00:40:33 This strategy has become alarmingly prominent in Dublin.

00:40:37 The police warn people to be vigilant and remove any tape immediately after seeing it.

00:40:42 Some of these markings are left by dog thieves,

00:40:46 signaling that your home has a money-wise worthy breed to steal.

00:40:49 Supposedly, red chalk marks are for large dogs,

00:40:52 and yellow and pink marks refer to medium and small dogs.

00:40:56 The police advise dog owners to keep their eyes open around their properties

00:41:00 and report any such instances to the police.

00:41:03 Lastly, pay extra attention when walking their pets.

00:41:07 One of the keys to being safe at a house is having good security and knowing your property.

00:41:13 For instance, if your front door locks are still responsive but function slowly,

00:41:18 it may be a sign of a burglar attempt.

00:41:21 This might be because of a tactic called the vulnerability method.

00:41:25 Thieves make the door lock weaker with time.

00:41:28 They use tools or objects to deteriorate the lock without leaving any traces.

00:41:33 You may think your lock is old and simply postpone calling a locksmith,

00:41:38 but that would be a huge mistake.

00:41:41 Similarly, the key might turn inside the lock with delay.

00:41:46 If it's harder to turn inside, this is usually the first sign of an attempted break-in.

00:41:51 So, this is probably the most important warning sign you should take into consideration.

00:41:56 Even security door locks are vulnerable to break-ins.

00:42:00 Did you know that in Churchill, Canada, locals keep their car doors unlocked?

00:42:05 They don't do this to invite the thieves, but to survive a potential polar bear attack.

00:42:10 The town has the largest number of polar bears in the world.

00:42:14 Imagine a resident faced with a polar bear and another person's car is nearby.

00:42:19 They can quickly shelter inside that car.

00:42:22 How about learning some safety tips to avoid purse snatching?

00:42:26 Firstly, don't carry a shoulder bag over your shoulder.

00:42:29 I know, I know, it's what the bag is designed for.

00:42:32 But this makes it easier for a thief to grab your bag.

00:42:35 For example, carrying a small clutch-type handbag underneath your arm is safer.

00:42:41 Shopping with someone else is safer than shopping alone.

00:42:44 On shopping days, and in general, don't carry more money than you would possibly need for all your credit cards in the same purse.

00:42:51 Carry only what you need for the day.

00:42:53 You might think, "It's just for a sec," but don't leave your purse in shopping carts or on counters.

00:42:59 And there's the matter of scams.

00:43:03 When you believe you can't be scammed, you might let yourself be more vulnerable to scammers.

00:43:08 Scams target everyone from all backgrounds, ages, and incomes.

00:43:12 They can catch you off guard and when you're not expecting it,

00:43:15 using new technologies, products, or even services to hook you to either give them your money or personal details.

00:43:22 How to be scam-proof?

00:43:23 Firstly, keep in mind that if it looks too good to be true, it probably is.

00:43:28 Secondly, don't respond to calls about your computer asking for remote access, even if they mention a well-known company.

00:43:35 Scammers will often ask you to turn on your computer to fix a problem or install a free upgrade.

00:43:41 This is actually a virus to get your passwords and personal details.

00:43:45 Lastly, pay attention to unusual payment requests.

00:43:49 Scammers will often ask you to use an unusual payment method like a preloaded debit card, gift card, or iTunes card.

00:43:56 A carjacker and a slice of cheese. What connection can there be?

00:44:02 Imagine you walk to your car and see melted cheese on the engine cap.

00:44:06 You initially thought that it was probably some kind of a prank, so you begin to clean the cheese.

00:44:11 Naturally, it takes ages under the hot sun. Pay attention to your surroundings.

00:44:16 Someone might be watching you from a distance and waiting for the right time.

00:44:20 They can just jump into your car and run away while you're not looking at the driver's door.

00:44:24 Busy cleaning the cheese near the passenger side.

00:44:27 Did you know that you might have an extra key in your car?

00:44:31 Some cars have valet keys hidden under the owner's manual or in the tool kit in the trunk.

00:44:36 If your car has that spare pair, take it out immediately.

00:44:40 If you know where it is, thieves will know it too.

00:44:43 Plus, don't think you have a perfect hiding spot for your spare keys.

00:44:47 Car thieves know where to look.

00:44:49 For example, some people hide the extra key under the bumper or beneath the floor mat.

00:44:54 Thieves routinely check those places as well.

00:44:59 Speaking of car theft, now might be a good time to talk about the habits and strategies of car burglars.

00:45:05 They don't really go for wide open and visible locations like in front of houses and driveways.

00:45:10 Dark and secluded places such as apartment buildings, carports and underground parking garages appeal to them because it's quieter.

00:45:19 He could hear if somebody was coming.

00:45:21 Have you heard of vehicle identification number aka VIN?

00:45:26 This is a unique number for every car out there.

00:45:29 You can engrave the VIN on your car windows.

00:45:32 This makes your car less valuable on the black market for its parts.

00:45:35 Plus, changing the car windows costs quite a lot, so crooks try to avoid such cars.

00:45:41 Overall, it's better not to be an inviting easy target.

00:45:45 So, do you have some real-life stories about all these?

00:45:55 Looking for something disgusting?

00:45:57 Well, have you come to the right place?

00:45:59 Let me explain.

00:46:00 Oh, it's spring cleaning time!

00:46:04 You walk around the house humming a merry tune when you hear a faint buzzing noise.

00:46:08 You stop and strain your ears and here it goes again, seemingly from behind the wall in the kitchen.

00:46:14 You come closer and notice a brown spot on the wall that wasn't there just yesterday.

00:46:19 You touch the spot and oh, the horror!

00:46:22 The drywall sinks inside beneath your fingers, and an entire cloud of wasps fly out of the hole, buzzing indignantly.

00:46:30 You run for your life, and the wasps chase you outside for disturbing their nest.

00:46:34 When you're far enough, the buzzing cloud returns into the house.

00:46:38 It seems it's their home now, not yours.

00:46:41 It might sound like some movie, but in fact, wasps do build their nests in houses, especially wooden ones.

00:46:48 They prefer dark, enclosed spaces, so they can make a home in a tree hollow, a compost box, a shed, or your very own attic.

00:46:57 Probably the worst thing is that you're likely not to notice a wasp infestation inside your house until it's too late.

00:47:05 In spring, wasp queens migrate to find a new home and lay their eggs.

00:47:10 If one of them likes your house, it will crawl inside some cozy, dark nook and hide there.

00:47:16 Within a week or so, the first baby wasps will be born, and if the space is too confined,

00:47:21 they'll start gnawing on the wooden parts of it to make room for their growing colony.

00:47:26 It might take a few years before you notice the symptoms of an infestation, though.

00:47:31 Wasps are believed to return to the same place every year because they leave behind their pheromones,

00:47:37 and the colony will be growing with every passing year, too.

00:47:41 Wasps will be munching through wooden boards and even plaster to make themselves comfortable,

00:47:47 and you might hear their rustling and buzzing while they're at work.

00:47:51 If you do hear strange sounds from behind your walls, don't wait long and call pest control.

00:47:57 It means the colony is already big enough to cause you trouble.

00:48:00 In the worst-case scenario, the innards of your house might be chock-full of wasps by then.

00:48:06 The last and most obvious symptom of an infestation, though, is when you see brown spots or streaks on your drywall.

00:48:13 That means the wasps are already a hair's breadth away from you and are about to break inside your living space.

00:48:20 They can easily chew through drywall, and you might end up meeting the unexpected guests at night or while having dinner.

00:48:28 Wasps are probably the worst pest to be infested with.

00:48:31 Not only do they undermine your abode, but they're also very protective of their territory.

00:48:37 If they break outside of their space between the walls and into your house proper,

00:48:41 they'll immediately attack you as an intruder.

00:48:44 How rude!

00:48:45 And wasp stings aren't to be trifled with, especially if you have an allergy.

00:48:50 There are numerous species of wasps that can dwell inside people's homes,

00:48:55 but perhaps the most vicious ones are yellow jackets.

00:48:58 They have a distinct bright yellow and black striped body, are bigger than other wasps,

00:49:03 and their sting is much more unpleasant.

00:49:06 Add to that their natural aggressiveness, and you get a flying insect that you don't want to meet at all.

00:49:12 Still, if you notice any of the symptoms of wasp infestation,

00:49:16 make sure you don't take any action on your own and call the professionals.

00:49:21 Working with strong chemicals like pesticides is unsafe,

00:49:24 and in addition, you can do yourself more harm than good if you don't know exactly what you're doing.

00:49:30 It takes skill and knowledge to get rid of all the pests in your house,

00:49:34 and if you leave just a couple of wasps, especially the queen,

00:49:38 all your efforts might be in vain.

00:49:40 So leave it to the experts.

00:49:43 A more inconspicuous but no less dangerous bug that you don't want to have at home either is a wood borer.

00:49:50 There are dozens of different species of those too,

00:49:53 and some are no more than a nuisance while others can be pretty destructive.

00:49:58 Wood borers get their name for, well, boring wood, as in eating holes in it.

00:50:03 When these bugs are ready to lay their eggs, they find some cozy place with lots of timber around,

00:50:09 such as beneath your wood flooring, for instance, and rest there.

00:50:13 The hatching larvae are hungry,

00:50:15 so they start munching on the delicious wood their caring mom left them on.

00:50:20 They can eat almost 24/7 and only stop when they finally mature and are ready to go explore the world outside.

00:50:27 As they do, they leave small exit holes in the wooden items they'd been living in.

00:50:32 The danger is that these beetles are silent as opposed to wasps,

00:50:36 so you won't hear a thing while they're snacking on your favorite cupboard.

00:50:41 The first sign of their presence you're likely to notice is the exit hole,

00:50:45 and that means the wood borer has already done some damage inside.

00:50:50 While most species of borers don't do much harm to your dwelling except for those exit holes,

00:50:55 some of them can be a huge trouble.

00:50:58 For example, the European house borer can do a lot of damage to an older house if it decides to lay its eggs there.

00:51:05 Although these bugs like to feed on sapwood, which is more likely in newer houses,

00:51:10 they still make nests in older ones too.

00:51:13 And given that the European house borer is pretty big, up to about 3/4 of an inch,

00:51:18 the exit holes it leaves are quite large and noticeable too.

00:51:22 Other borers still, like the Queensland pine beetle, native to Australia,

00:51:27 often eat through older houses, undermining their structure completely.

00:51:31 If you happen to have an infestation of these guys,

00:51:34 the best course of action is to call pest control immediately.

00:51:38 The only good news, perhaps, is that wood borers don't attack humans.

00:51:42 Well, that's something!

00:51:44 Now, these bugs won't eat you or your house,

00:51:47 but having them inside your home is still unpleasant and dangerous.

00:51:51 You know them well – cockroaches.

00:51:54 And if you've seen one in your house during the day, I've got bad news for you.

00:51:58 There are already dozens, if not hundreds of these pests crawling around the place.

00:52:04 Cockroaches are nocturnal creatures, and seeing one or two in your kitchen

00:52:08 when you come for a midnight snack is not that bad yet.

00:52:12 But when they appear in broad daylight,

00:52:14 it means some numbers of their colony are already growing desperate.

00:52:19 It would do you good to call pest control fast in that case.

00:52:24 Cockroaches prefer to live in places where there's plenty of food,

00:52:28 water, and human environment to snuggle into.

00:52:31 This is a perfect description of an older human dwelling.

00:52:34 There's more than enough space for roaches to hide and prosper,

00:52:38 and people themselves provide all the food and water the pests need.

00:52:42 Their favorite snacks are meat, starch, and sweet stuff,

00:52:45 but they don't mind ransacking your garbage bin or pantry.

00:52:49 They won't eat through your walls or furniture,

00:52:51 and in that regard they're pretty harmless.

00:52:54 But cockroaches are known carriers of various dangerous germs.

00:52:58 If you've had a cockroach rummaged in, let's say, your sugar bowl,

00:53:01 and then you put that sugar into your tea,

00:53:04 you've got a chance of contracting something nasty.

00:53:07 And of course, the more roaches there are in your house,

00:53:10 the higher this possibility is.

00:53:14 It's not hard to recognize a cockroach infestation.

00:53:18 The first sign you should look out for is the smell.

00:53:21 Roaches emit odorous substances into the air,

00:53:24 making your home smell oily and musty.

00:53:27 The stronger the odor, the more pests there are,

00:53:30 so don't hesitate to call the specialist even if you haven't seen a single cockroach yet.

00:53:35 A much more significant symptom of their presence in your house

00:53:38 is finding shed roach skin around the place.

00:53:41 They have a chitin carapace that they replace from time to time as they grow,

00:53:45 so if you find one, it means there's at least an entire cockroach family somewhere around.

00:53:51 But much more likely, there's a whole colony already.

00:53:55 Finally, nothing can be more compelling than seeing a live cockroach with your own eyes, right?

00:54:01 If you notice a grown one, that might be good news for you yet.

00:54:05 Roaches habitually travel in search of the best place to live in,

00:54:08 so when there's an adult cockroach in your house that you see at night,

00:54:12 it might still not have begun a family of its own.

00:54:15 But if you enter the kitchen and see one or more smaller cockroaches,

00:54:20 well, that's bad luck.

00:54:22 Your parents are somewhere inside your house, as well as their siblings.

00:54:26 By the way, although the kitchen is, by all means, the most fruitful place for these creepers,

00:54:31 you might also spot them in your bathroom while taking a shower.

00:54:36 Roaches find delight in munching on soap,

00:54:40 so it's no surprise they crawl into this warm and moist room of your house.

00:54:45 Well, I find this whole thing disgusting. Have a good day!

00:54:50 [music]

00:54:55 Hey there, car owners.

00:54:57 Gee, do I have an important message for you?

00:54:59 You see, our cars are like our trusty sidekicks, always by our side, even in the most public places.

00:55:05 But sometimes we come back to find unexpected surprises waiting for us.

00:55:09 Try to imagine yourself strolling up to your four-wheeled companion, and there it is.

00:55:13 A flyer, taunting you from under the wiper.

00:55:16 Or, heaven forbid, a parking ticket just begging for your attention on the windshield.

00:55:21 We've all been there, right?

00:55:23 Well, hold on to your steering wheels, because authorities have a brand new tip for you.

00:55:27 And it's a real gem.

00:55:29 If you see something on your car that doesn't belong, don't remove it with your bare hand.

00:55:33 Intrigued?

00:55:35 You see, police forces have been keeping a watchful eye on all things car-related,

00:55:39 and they're not just about catching speedsters and enforcing traffic rules.

00:55:43 They've got our backs when it comes to unveiling the latest tricks of the trade.

00:55:47 Take Arlington, Virginia, for example.

00:55:49 The authorities there recently noticed a spike in driver-side airbag thefts.

00:55:54 To combat this madness, the police advised folks to park in well-lit areas,

00:55:58 lock their vehicles, stash away their valuables,

00:56:01 and why not throw in a steering wheel-locking device for good measure?

00:56:04 Some car thieves have also discovered a new superpower,

00:56:07 using their smartphone cameras to peek into your car.

00:56:10 It's like they have X-ray vision or something.

00:56:12 These sneaky people can bypass the privacy tint in your car windows

00:56:16 and get a clear view of your treasures, all without even taking a photo.

00:56:20 Smartphones these days, huh?

00:56:23 In response, authorities launched a "Stow It, Don't Show It" campaign,

00:56:27 reminding everyone to remove their valuables from sight,

00:56:30 or, at the very least, stash them away.

00:56:34 But wait, there's more.

00:56:36 Officers want us to be extra cautious about a new threat lurking around our vehicles.

00:56:40 You know how it goes.

00:56:42 Leaves, litter, and leaflets often find their way onto our beloved cars.

00:56:45 Usually, we'd think nothing of it and simply give our vehicles a quick clean before zooming off.

00:56:50 However, you should think twice before reaching out with your bare hands.

00:56:54 Even if it's just to grab a seemingly innocent piece of trash.

00:56:58 Why all the fuss, you might wonder?

00:57:00 Well, let's take a peek at an incident that unfolded in Houston, Texas.

00:57:04 Picture this.

00:57:05 One woman, fresh from celebrating her birthday at a local restaurant,

00:57:09 heads back to her car, only to find a napkin sticking out of her car door handle.

00:57:14 Now, at first, she didn't think much of it, and casually removed the napkin,

00:57:19 thinking it's just some random trash.

00:57:22 But as it turns out, things then took a crazy turn.

00:57:24 Not long after handling that suspiciously placed napkin,

00:57:27 she started feeling some tingling in her fingertips.

00:57:30 And before she knew it, her whole arm joins the tingle party,

00:57:33 leaving her feeling a bit numb.

00:57:35 She got all lightheaded and even struggled to breathe.

00:57:38 Being a responsible person, her husband dialed up 911 in a jiffy.

00:57:43 Off she went to the hospital, racing against time to figure out

00:57:46 what in the world caused this bizarre health rollercoaster.

00:57:49 After a seemingly eternal six and a half hours,

00:57:52 the doctors finally diagnosed her with acute poisoning from an unknown substance.

00:57:56 They couldn't pinpoint the exact nature of the substance,

00:57:59 because the woman only had a tiny amount in her system.

00:58:02 But even that tiny amount was enough to make her feel like

00:58:05 she just hopped on the wildest ride at the amusement park.

00:58:08 Just imagine if she had wrapped that napkin around her entire hand.

00:58:11 Yikes!

00:58:12 One of her doctors suggested that this whole napkin incident

00:58:15 might have been an attempted kidnapping targeting her car.

00:58:18 Wait, what?

00:58:20 A kidnapping involving a napkin and a car door?

00:58:22 It's like a bad script for a low-budget comedy film.

00:58:25 But here's where things get really intriguing.

00:58:28 The local police department, in their noble quest to solve this mystery,

00:58:32 revealed that they didn't receive any reports of similar incidents involving car doors and napkins.

00:58:37 I guess that prankster genius didn't strike again.

00:58:40 Or at least not yet.

00:58:42 However, they do confirm that the woman's experience and symptoms

00:58:45 align with other cases of poisoning.

00:58:47 Of course, there are many other strategies to help keep both you and your car safe.

00:58:52 Like when it comes to parking, it's all about that prime spot.

00:58:56 Thankfully, specialists have some tips that will make your parking game strong

00:59:00 and keep those pesky thieves at bay.

00:59:02 First things first, if you're lucky enough to have a garage,

00:59:06 park your precious vehicle in there at all times.

00:59:09 But if you're out and about, it's advised that you find a well-lit and open area to park.

00:59:14 You want your ride to be in the spotlight,

00:59:16 not hiding in the shadows where mischief could be lurking.

00:59:19 Now, here's a nifty little nugget of advice straight from the mouth of an ex-burglar.

00:59:25 This guy knows the tricks of the trade.

00:59:27 When you park, turn those wheels into the curb.

00:59:30 I know it sounds weird, but trust me, it's worth it.

00:59:33 By doing this, you're making life harder for those pesky intruders.

00:59:36 They'll have to do some fancy maneuvering just to get away,

00:59:39 and ain't nobody got time for that.

00:59:41 And hey, here's an extra bonus tip for you.

00:59:44 Try to find a car park that has reached the Parkmark standard.

00:59:47 These parking locations have passed a police risk assessment,

00:59:50 so you know they're legit.

00:59:52 With these simple tips, you'll be parking like a pro in no time.

00:59:55 These days, there's still a sneaky way thieves can get their hands on your ride,

00:59:59 and it involves your beloved key.

01:00:01 So, let's play it safe, shall we?

01:00:03 First things first, keep those keys hidden away.

01:00:06 When you're home, make sure they're out of sight and far from prying eyes.

01:00:10 You wouldn't want any thieves playing fishing games

01:00:12 with sticks and hooks through your letterbox, snatching your keys.

01:00:15 Now let's talk about keyless entry.

01:00:17 You know, those fancy cars that unlock themselves with a wave of the key nearby?

01:00:22 Well, if you have to push a button on your key to open your car,

01:00:26 you don't have a keyless entry.

01:00:28 No worries, though. We'll cover that, too.

01:00:30 Picture this.

01:00:32 You're going about your day, minding your own business,

01:00:34 when suddenly a crafty thief comes along with a little device.

01:00:38 This sneaky gadget tricks your car into thinking your key is right there,

01:00:41 unlocking it faster than you can imagine.

01:00:44 They can even start the engine and drive off into the sunset with your beloved vehicle.

01:00:48 Believe it or not, these pesky thieves only need to be a few meters away

01:00:52 from your car key to capture its signal.

01:00:55 That means they can work their magic even if your key is chilling inside your home,

01:00:59 safe and sound.

01:01:01 Fear not, because there are a few tips to keep your keyless entry car as secure as a fortress.

01:01:06 When you're at home, keep that precious key and its spare far, far away from your vehicle.

01:01:11 Maybe put them in a screened pouch or a fancy-schmancy Faraday bag

01:01:15 to block any signals from escaping.

01:01:17 Think of it as giving your key a cozy little invisible shield

01:01:20 to protect it from those sneaky, signal-sniffing thieves.

01:01:23 Here's another pro tip.

01:01:25 If you ever decide to adopt a second-hand car into your loving car family,

01:01:30 give those keys a little makeover.

01:01:32 Reprogramming them will ensure that any old signals or sneaky surprises

01:01:36 from the previous owner are wiped clean.

01:01:38 To make sure your car's always safe, we also need to cover this not-so-fun subject.

01:01:43 Illegal tow trucks.

01:01:45 Those sneaky thieves think they can snatch your precious wheels right off the street.

01:01:49 Here are some tips on how to stay one step ahead of these parking lot pirates.

01:01:53 First things first, keep an eye out for any tow-away crew that seems a bit fishy.

01:01:58 You know, the ones who aren't sporting any fancy logos on their truck

01:02:01 or who forgot to put on their snazzy uniforms.

01:02:04 If something feels off, don't hesitate to report them pronto.

01:02:07 Now, I know what you're thinking.

01:02:09 But what if I'm wrong and it turns out to be a false alarm?

01:02:13 We all should be about good faith,

01:02:15 and nobody should blame you for a moment if it turns out to be a false alarm.

01:02:18 Better safe than sorry, right?

01:02:20 It happens every 43.8 seconds.

01:02:35 I'm talking about car theft in the USA.

01:02:38 Yep, every minute someone loses their precious vehicle to crooks.

01:02:42 If you want to learn more about these heartbreaking stats, here you go.

01:02:46 Over 800,000 car thefts were reported in the US in 2020 alone.

01:02:52 And Ford pickups win the award for the crook's choice,

01:02:55 since it was the one most frequently stolen.

01:02:58 Also, New Year's Day had the most thefts.

01:03:02 Seems like we all need to keep an eye out for our cars.

01:03:05 First things first, it's very unlikely that someone may steal your car while you're on the move.

01:03:11 But once you park it, it gets way easier.

01:03:14 So, you need to park responsibly.

01:03:17 Yeah, sometimes you might need to walk a bit more,

01:03:19 but it's worth it if it means leaving your car in a well-lit place.

01:03:24 Improperly parked cars are often taken away by tow trucks.

01:03:29 Turns out, not all of them are real.

01:03:32 So, should you ever see one near your car, check whether it's real or fake.

01:03:37 A real tow truck should at least have some branding on it,

01:03:40 and its crew should be wearing a uniform.

01:03:43 Remember I told you it's not that easy to steal your car while you're on the move?

01:03:49 Sorry, but that's only partially true.

01:03:52 Carjackers don't really care about the fact that you're sitting in your car.

01:03:56 The trick here is simple.

01:03:57 Even if you're inside your vehicle, always make sure to lock your doors.

01:04:02 Carjackers often have shady schemes of how to lure car owners out of their vehicles.

01:04:07 They may even set up a trap and sort of stage a car accident.

01:04:11 So, even if you see that your car has been bumped from behind,

01:04:14 don't rush out of it instantly to check on it.

01:04:17 Just wait a little bit to pull over.

01:04:19 Make sure the place where you stop is safe and there are people around you.

01:04:23 In case you get suspicious, it's better to call the police.

01:04:27 If you're ready to shell out some money to protect your car, here's some info.

01:04:33 You can install a remote car starter.

01:04:36 It's not just a great thing for those who live in colder climates

01:04:39 and who need to start their car beforehand.

01:04:42 Its main advantage is that you can't drive away with a car started like this,

01:04:46 since this mode doesn't allow you to shift gears.

01:04:50 Any car has a vehicle identification number, or simply VIN.

01:04:55 This one may seem pointless, but here's a trick.

01:04:58 When thieves sell a stolen car, they do VIN switching.

01:05:02 It's when they want to disguise a stolen vehicle and use another VIN from a similar car.

01:05:07 But if you etch your VIN on each window of your vehicle,

01:05:11 crooks will instantly see that you're interested in protecting your car.

01:05:15 Plus, such a vehicle will seem spoiled for them.

01:05:19 After all, they'd have to do the VIN switching,

01:05:22 plus they'd have to come up with a plan on how to fix the windows,

01:05:25 as they have the VIN etched on them.

01:05:27 They'll probably need to change the windows altogether.

01:05:30 And that's pricey.

01:05:32 So, reselling such a car would appear too time-consuming for crooks,

01:05:36 and they aren't willing to put in that much effort.

01:05:38 Come on, these guys don't even work.

01:05:40 They're way too lazy to deal with those windows.

01:05:43 By the way, some specialists can do this etching for you,

01:05:47 so you don't have to deal with it yourself.

01:05:49 By the way, if you want to buy a used car, a VIN can help you a lot.

01:05:57 Some cars are sort of "cloned," which means their VIN isn't real,

01:06:02 but was simply added to the plate manually,

01:06:04 so you have to check all the documentation before buying a used car.

01:06:08 Pay special attention to the DVLA-V5 documents,

01:06:12 and make sure that the VIN there coincides with the VIN on the vehicle.

01:06:16 Here's another protection gadget.

01:06:20 It's called a Smart Car Alarm,

01:06:22 and its sound is even nastier than the sound of an alarm clock.

01:06:26 It can do two things.

01:06:28 First, it makes a super loud sound that can both scare away intruders and attract witnesses.

01:06:34 Second, it can send you an alert in case you somehow don't hear the deafening sound it makes.

01:06:40 There's another secret mechanism that can protect your car.

01:06:45 You can install an emergency stop button that you can wire to the ignition, battery, fuel line, you name it.

01:06:52 When you get out of the car, you simply need to flip the switch.

01:06:55 Even if crooks steal your keys somehow, it won't help them.

01:06:59 They need to find the switch to start the car first,

01:07:02 and it's up to you where to hide that switch.

01:07:04 We all know that the more security you have in your car, the better.

01:07:09 Crooks don't like to mess with technologies, and the statistics prove it.

01:07:14 Tesla, along with other high-tech cars, were the least stolen ones over the last few years.

01:07:20 However, "modern" doesn't mean safe and crook-proof.

01:07:24 Many cool vehicles have engine management diagnostic ports.

01:07:28 Sounds super convenient, but there's a downside.

01:07:31 These ports can help unlock and even start the vehicle.

01:07:35 So if your car has such a feature, consider getting a lockable cover.

01:07:40 Always check whether you've closed the windows before leaving your car.

01:07:45 Even the smallest gap is enough for a crook to open the door and steal the car.

01:07:50 Yeah, don't tell me it's obvious.

01:07:52 I somehow see cars with open windows every single day.

01:07:55 If a crook really wants to, they can simply smash a window with a heavy object, or even a rock.

01:08:02 See what I'm driving at?

01:08:04 Try not to make crooks want to open your car.

01:08:07 That means there shouldn't be any valuables visible.

01:08:10 So please, no laptops or purses on the front seat.

01:08:14 Hide them in the trunk, or take them with you.

01:08:17 There are many options.

01:08:18 Just don't show thieves that there's something they can steal from your car.

01:08:22 Keeping a spare key in the glovebox isn't the best idea either.

01:08:28 Crooks know where to look for it.

01:08:30 It's really simple.

01:08:31 They've opened the car, which isn't that complicated,

01:08:34 and they just open up the glovebox, and they're free to drive.

01:08:38 So let's say you still keep your valuables in the car and a spare key in the glovebox,

01:08:44 because, you know, you like it that way.

01:08:47 Well, consider installing a steering wheel lock.

01:08:50 It's probably not that functional, but experts believe it's a working visual deterrent.

01:08:56 Remember how thieves are sort of lazy and don't want to mess with various gadgets?

01:09:00 Specialists claim that crooks are more likely to pass by a car that has a steering wheel lock on it.

01:09:06 So even if a crook still wants to drive your car away, they won't be able to.

01:09:14 Plus, it's not that easy to remove it.

01:09:17 Now for the most obvious tip.

01:09:19 It's CCTV.

01:09:21 There's a variety of such cameras today.

01:09:23 They have night vision modes, people detection functions, and really high resolution.

01:09:28 Literally anything you might need.

01:09:30 A real camera can help you watch your car 24/7.

01:09:34 But in case you don't feel like spending money on that,

01:09:36 you can install a dummy and hope that the thieves won't figure it out.

01:09:41 Okay, let's imagine the worst.

01:09:45 Someone ignored all of these simple tips and got their car stolen.

01:09:49 What should they do?

01:09:51 First, they need to provide all the information to the police.

01:09:54 So make sure you know the color.

01:09:56 I know, it's easy.

01:09:58 But please don't use complicated wording while describing the car color.

01:10:02 Like, it's not moss, but rather dark green.

01:10:05 You also need to know the year, make, and model.

01:10:08 Make sure you remember all these.

01:10:10 The police will also need to know your license plate number and VIN.

01:10:14 If you don't remember the VIN by heart, write a note on your phone just in case.

01:10:19 So, you found your first gray hair, and you have a huge desire to pull it out and keep it as a souvenir.

01:10:26 But the all-knowing grandma stops you from doing that,

01:10:29 since everybody knows two new hairs will grow in its place.

01:10:33 It's one of the most popular myths that have been going around for years.

01:10:38 When you pluck out a hair, the follicle still stays where it was,

01:10:42 and it will produce a substitute soon enough.

01:10:45 But it doesn't have the superpower to multiply, so you'll get just one new gray hair.

01:10:50 The new hair might even be darker, as the hair follicle might produce another pigment this time.

01:10:56 If you go too far with plucking, though, you might no longer have any hair in that very spot.

01:11:03 Are you afraid of using your cell phone at the gas pump, because it might cause an explosion?

01:11:09 Well, there hasn't been a single documented case of a phone giving off a static electrical charge and causing a tragedy.

01:11:17 All the "No cell phone" signs at gas stations are a precaution.

01:11:21 Electronic materials aren't welcome there, because they might cause static electricity and be a source of danger.

01:11:28 Plus, you should be 100% alert whenever you're driving.

01:11:33 Chatting or texting while fueling up might cause some bad consequences,

01:11:37 like driving away with a gas pump in your car.

01:11:40 A viral video made millions of people believe that if you see a wire tied to your car door handle,

01:11:46 you gotta call the police immediately.

01:11:49 According to the author, kidnappers use this trick to distract you and then go after you.

01:11:55 In reality, there have been no officially recorded cases of anyone getting kidnapped this way.

01:12:01 This urban legend must come from a 2015 Facebook post which mentioned the wire trick and was debunked soon after it came out.

01:12:10 The idea lived on, though, and keeps resurfacing.

01:12:14 It does make sense to look after yourself and follow some simple rules that will let you stay safe on the road anyway.

01:12:22 You might want to learn some self-defense, park in well-lit areas,

01:12:26 and always look around for suspicious things and people before you get in the car.

01:12:31 Also remember that a lot of similar myths and urban legends are only created to grab your attention

01:12:37 and get their authors some likes and shares.

01:12:41 If you add brown sugar to your coffee, confident that it's healthier than the white option, it's probably not the best idea.

01:12:48 Brown sugar does contain some minerals, but the amount of them is so tiny that it can't really benefit your health.

01:12:55 Otherwise, it has the same amount of calories and nutritional value as the white sugar.

01:13:01 The only difference is in color, flavor, and the manufacturing process.

01:13:06 Brown sugar doesn't go through that much chemical processing,

01:13:10 so if you're trying to cut your calories, it doesn't really matter which of the sugar types you add to your food.

01:13:17 When you press the snooze button in the morning, you're not actually going to get those extra 10 minutes of sleep.

01:13:24 It does feel good to postpone getting up, but the snooze button makes you feel more tired instead of providing you with extra rest.

01:13:32 You have your own biological sleep cycle that adjusts to your schedule.

01:13:37 When you wake up and instantly fall asleep again, your brain gets confused,

01:13:42 which is why it will get harder and harder for you to get up when the alarm rings for the second or fifth time.

01:13:48 In the long run, the snooze button may mess with your ability to get high-quality deep sleep.

01:13:54 Another popular sleep myth is that you swallow up 8 spiders every night without knowing.

01:14:02 Relax, you don't swallow any spiders at all.

01:14:05 To them, you look like a giant, or rather a mountain in the landscape.

01:14:10 Any sounds you produce while sleeping, like breathing or your heartbeat, are super scary to them.

01:14:16 So all they want to do is stay as far away from you as they can.

01:14:21 This myth went global after a magazine article that mentioned people easily believe anything they see online.

01:14:29 Well, the article was right after all.

01:14:32 You don't really have to wait 30 minutes or longer to swim after lunch.

01:14:37 This myth has been around for more than a century, as it was a rule published in the 1908 Boy Scout Handbook.

01:14:45 It said that swimming sooner than 90 minutes after food could lead to very dangerous consequences.

01:14:51 It made many people believe that because digestion diverts blood flow from the muscles to the stomach,

01:14:57 swimming could prevent the blood flow to the stomach, give you cramps and even make you drown.

01:15:03 In reality, extra blood goes to the stomach, but it doesn't affect your arms or legs.

01:15:09 Food might even be good for your swim, as it will provide you with extra energy.

01:15:14 And don't forget to take enough water with it to stay hydrated.

01:15:18 Diamonds are super expensive because they are so rare, right?

01:15:22 It turns out they aren't as rare as we're made to believe.

01:15:26 Rubies, emeralds and sapphires are much rarer and far more expensive than diamonds.

01:15:33 Scientists have even found a way to create artificial diamonds, making their production rather easy.

01:15:40 So that price people are willing to pay is a result of a super successful marketing campaign from over a century ago.

01:15:48 The company that mined and sold diamonds spread myths about these gems around the world.

01:15:55 They convinced everyone on the planet that diamonds are so rare that the price is reasonable.

01:16:01 Plus, they've turned these rocks into a symbol of love and engagement.

01:16:07 Movies made us believe all dinosaurs were huge, dangerous lizards.

01:16:12 But in reality, there were all kinds of dino species.

01:16:16 Some of them weren't much bigger than a cat or a golden retriever.

01:16:20 It looks like those smaller species were more numerous than their big relatives.

01:16:25 Plus, some dinos, like T-rex, were even covered with feathers, especially in the early stages of their lives.

01:16:33 The deeper you go inside the ocean, the darker it gets until there is no light at all.

01:16:39 The colors change from blue-green close to the surface to more intense blues and then down to indigo blue and total blackness.

01:16:48 Well, sunlight penetrates deep waters weakly, so technically, below 3200 feet, there is officially no light.

01:16:57 But there is another type of light down there.

01:17:00 It's all about blue and green luminescence.

01:17:03 It generates light thanks to an enzyme called luciferase.

01:17:07 It breaks down high-energy molecules and produces photons and bacteria and some deep sea fish bodies.

01:17:15 It seems logical that summers are so warm because our planet gets closer to the sun.

01:17:21 And winters are so cold because the Earth gets as far from our star as it can be.

01:17:26 Yet, it's another popular myth.

01:17:29 When it's summer in the Northern Hemisphere, our planet isn't actually closer to the sun.

01:17:34 It's the opposite. The Earth is at its farthest point from the sun during July and at its closest point during January.

01:17:42 Summer is warm because the axis of our planet is tilted.

01:17:46 During its orbit, the Earth's tilt allows energy coming from the sun to hit us more directly because the angle is steeper.

01:17:55 The asteroid belt isn't as dangerous as blockbuster made us believe.

01:18:00 If you were to travel through, it wouldn't be a flight through a dense and chaotic field of rocks smashing into each other.

01:18:07 The asteroid belt is a zone that's 200 million or 300 million miles away from the sun.

01:18:13 It's a very isolated and lonely void with much space in between.

01:18:18 If you pulled all those asteroids from that belt together, you'd get a mess that's around 4% of our Moon.

01:18:25 That's why astronauts get really excited when they see just one asteroid smashing into another one.

01:18:32 Otherwise, space is not that eventful.

01:18:35 A slice of cheese isn't something you'd expect to find on your parked car.

01:18:42 As hilarious as it seems, it might indicate something quite dangerous.

01:18:46 One woman detailed such a story online.

01:18:49 At first, she thought she had been pranked by some neighborhood kid.

01:18:53 She decided to call a friend and ask for help with cleaning the car.

01:18:56 But once the two ladies started removing the melted cheese, they noticed something strange two parking spots down from them.

01:19:03 They remembered seeing a white van arriving.

01:19:05 In it, there was a bunch of men staring at them.

01:19:08 Since she wasn't alone, the woman decided to finish cleaning the car.

01:19:13 Even though the ladies didn't feel comfortable being watched,

01:19:16 it took them almost an hour to scrape off the cheese that had already been melted under the heat of the sun.

01:19:21 She did wonder, though, if this wasn't a tactic to rob a person.

01:19:25 Because most people would be so focused on cleaning up the mess on their car

01:19:28 that they would be too distracted to keep an eye on their belongings.

01:19:32 Or worse, what if it was a kidnapping strategy, since you wouldn't be able to see suspicious people coming at you in due course?

01:19:39 She went on to recommend, "If you ever see a piece of cheese on your car, just leave it.

01:19:43 Your safest bet is to scrub it off at home, or to take your vehicle to the nearest car wash.

01:19:48 They'll know the best way to remove it without ruining the paint."

01:19:52 The slice of cheese may have easily been a coincidence, but some scams out there are even more imaginative.

01:19:58 If you notice a piece of clothing on your windshield or wrapped between your wiper blades, don't hurry to take it away.

01:20:04 Again, it can be strategically placed there to distract you while your car gets taken away.

01:20:08 The best option is to drive away as quickly as possible and get to a safe location.

01:20:13 It should be well-lit and populated. Then you can safely remove the objects placed on your car.

01:20:18 Some people have even found money under their wipers. It was probably placed there with the same intent in mind.

01:20:25 Here's a method some people swear by when it comes to decreasing the odds of getting your car snatched away.

01:20:31 Keep the tires turned toward the curb when parked.

01:20:34 That's because when your car wheels are positioned like that, thieves are less likely to be able to maneuver the vehicle.

01:20:40 This way, your car will require more time and energy to be moved, and it will less likely become the focus of theft.

01:20:47 Another woman remembered finding a napkin under her car door handle at one point, but at that time, she didn't think much of it.

01:20:54 She removed it and went on with her day.

01:20:57 However, a couple of hours later, she ended up in a hospital, complaining about pain in her hand and shortness of breath.

01:21:03 Doctors figured out she had been poisoned with an unknown substance.

01:21:08 Unfortunately, scams are becoming more and more common these days, with online ones topping the list.

01:21:14 You may be the subject of a phishing scam, for example, when you receive an email from someone who seems familiar.

01:21:20 It might be your accountant, someone from work, or a retailer you often buy from.

01:21:25 But if you look closely at the email address, you'll easily notice that something is off.

01:21:30 It might just be one edited letter or a name spelled differently.

01:21:33 These types of emails can ask various things from you, anything from private information, such as addresses and passwords, to payment requests.

01:21:42 Others offer coupons or gift cards.

01:21:44 If you click on a certain website, it may actually hack your computer.

01:21:48 This is probably the most common online scam these days.

01:21:52 Authorities claim that over 114,700 people fell victim to it in 2019.

01:21:58 Their losses were estimated at roughly $57.8 million.

01:22:03 Then there are fake shopping websites.

01:22:06 To make sure you're always on the right one, check the URL carefully.

01:22:10 If the website reads amazon.com with a zero, you're obviously not in the right place, and you're probably about to get scammed.

01:22:17 You can buy something from these websites, but the chances are you'll be receiving nothing, or the best-case scenario, a fake item.

01:22:25 Ever heard of formjacking?

01:22:27 It happens when a retailer gets hacked, and once you've finished adding things to your cart during a shopping session, you're actually redirected to a fraudulent payment page.

01:22:36 The scammer then has access to your payment information, like your name, address, and credit card details.

01:22:41 To always be on the safe side, double-check the URL of the payment page before entering any sensitive information.

01:22:48 Tech support scams are even more creative.

01:22:52 With this one, you might even receive a phone call saying that your computer is infected with a dangerous virus, which may damage your device or destroy all the information stored on it.

01:23:01 The scammer may then ask you to download an application that will give them access to your computer, even if they're located on the other side of the world.

01:23:10 Then they'll download an actual virus on the computer to confirm their lie.

01:23:14 It makes people think there's indeed something wrong with the computer.

01:23:17 The next and final step? Asking for a fee to fix it.

01:23:21 If you suspect your device might be compromised, always reach out to a trusted tech support or retailer.

01:23:27 These types of businesses will never contact you out of the blue.

01:23:31 This scam tends to appeal to people's emotions, targeting mostly the older generation.

01:23:36 That's why it's also dubbed the "grandparent scam."

01:23:39 The targeted senior will most likely receive a phone call from a distressed person, claiming they're a grandchild or a close relative.

01:23:46 The fraudster will then proceed to ask for money for various things, like to get out of jail, to be able to leave a foreign country, or to cover a hospital bill.

01:23:55 Grandparent scams are really on the rise these days.

01:23:58 In 2017, the losses from such scams added up to $26 million, but in 2018, they almost doubled, reaching $41 million.

01:24:07 If you find yourself in a similar situation, try not to act immediately.

01:24:12 Ask the person for some information that could help you verify their identity.

01:24:16 Also, it might be a good idea to double-check with another family member before sending money to a stranger.

01:24:22 The Google Voice scam is as easy as it is efficient.

01:24:26 For scammers, of course.

01:24:28 Here's what you should look out for.

01:24:30 You might have posted your phone number on some website for various reasons.

01:24:33 Maybe you're looking to sell something or offering to perform a service.

01:24:37 The fraudsters will pick up on this information and rapidly call you, asking to verify if you aren't a scammer yourself.

01:24:43 Talk about reverse psychology.

01:24:45 You'll be asked to pass on a Google verification code.

01:24:49 In reality, a Google Voice account is being set up in your name.

01:24:53 Fraudsters can go on with their scams and pretend to be you while doing it.

01:24:57 Using the newly created account,

01:24:59 Rule #1. Never share verification codes with anyone.

01:25:04 Online resumes aren't safe either, as they can offer personal information to scammers.

01:25:09 They will try to contact you, pretending to be recruiters.

01:25:13 Some might even take the time to conduct a job interview.

01:25:16 Most of them pretend to offer high-paying positions, which you'll obviously be inclined to accept.

01:25:22 But here's the catch.

01:25:23 Before they can offer you the documents for employment,

01:25:25 you'll be asked for money for some participation fee, or even for your future home office setup.

01:25:31 To make sure you're always on the safe side, create a different email address, which you'll only use for job hunting.

01:25:37 This way, you can keep your personal email unlisted and safe from any unwanted online scams.

01:25:44 Always ask recruiters to confirm the information you've heard on the phone via email too.

01:25:49 If it's a company you're familiar with, you can also reach out to their HR department

01:25:53 to confirm that what you're asked to do is according to their policy.

01:25:57 That's it for today.

01:25:59 So, hey, if you pacified your curiosity, then give the video a like and share it with your friends.

01:26:04 Or if you want more, just click on these videos and stay on the Bright Side!

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