Yet a relative – who also happens to be a police officer – is said to have changed her way of thinking completely after apparently warning her against what the seemingly innocent can of beans might signify.

Now, I didn’t know this, but apparently leaving food scraps or other items on an individual’s doorstep is a trick utilized by thieves hoping to confirm whether or not a homeowner is actually home, not on holiday or away for any length of time.

After placing their chosen trash or debris in someone’s front yard, the would-be thief waits to see if it is cleaned up or taken away. If it is, then it’s a sign that the person must be home, and so the thief is better off finding another property. If the trash – in Maria’s case the can of beans – is left there, however, it often means that the homeowner in question is out of the house, making their residence vulnerable.

Maria Celino-Straker responsibly took the decision to share the information she had learned on Facebook, in the hope that others who had no idea about this simple trick would be better informed.

I don’t know about you, but I’m glad she did!

Did you know about this trick? Let us know in the comments. Meanwhile, share this article on Facebook so others are kept in the know!