2. Let the house make normal household sounds
The second habit uses something burglars cannot judge as easily from the street: household sounds. A completely silent house can reinforce the impression that nobody is around, when every visible room is dark. Whereas a low, irregular background noise people naturally make when they are home in the evening makes the property sound less deserted.
You don't have to blast a television all night. A radio, television, or spoken-word program at a modest volume can be enough, especially in a room near the front. Voices are useful because they are less predictable than a steady hum. The point is simply that someone immediately outside should not encounter complete silence.
There is also a comfort benefit for people who live alone. Quiet conversation from a radio can make a house feel less empty without requiring a subscription or complicated security system. Keep the volume considerate for neighbors and avoid placing devices where cords could become a trip hazard. Used alongside locks and lighting, ordinary sound can add one more sign that the home is occupied rather than abandoned.