Home Security Experts Share Important Insights About the Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes Burglaries

Kelly Allen
·3-min read
two football players in red jerseys during a game
These NFL Players' Homes Were BurglarizedIcon Sportswire via Getty Images // Perry Knotts via Getty Images


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Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes dealt with every homeowner’s worst nightmare last month; The Chiefs players’ Kansas City-area homes were burglarized—and both of the break-ins happened within 48 hours of each other. From Kelce’s and Mahomes’s property incidents comes a reminder of an easy and free safety measure homeowners can take to protect their own residences: Be mindful of showcasing your life online.

“Unlike NFL athletes, whose schedules are often publicly known, most homeowners can enhance their security by avoiding the sharing of travel plans or location updates on social media,” Tim McKinney, vice president of ADT Custom Home Services, tells House Beautiful. “Even casual posts—like an airport selfie or a tagged photo from an out-of-state national park visit—can provide clues that your home is unattended.”

According to police reports obtained by People, Mahomes’s Belton, Missouri, estate—which spans eight acres and includes a 50-yard football field—was broken into around midnight on Sunday, October 6. There were no signs of forced entry. Kelce’s home in Leawood, Kansas—which he reportedly purchased around a year ago for $6 million—was broken into around 7:30 p.m. on Monday, October 7, while the Chiefs were playing the New Orleans Saints at Arrowhead Stadium in Missouri. Police reported that a rear door was broken, and $20,000 in cash was taken.


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Mark Stokes, president of a leading home security provider Cove, agrees that one of the biggest lessons here is the importance of discretion. "In today’s digital world, it’s all too easy to unintentionally signal when our homes are empty—especially through social media,” he tells House Beautiful. “Whether you’re posting about a vacation or even a night out, you might be sharing more than you realize.”

Stokes notes that “while Kelce and Mahomes are high-profile individuals, the truth is, it doesn’t matter how much you own or what neighborhood you live in.” Home invasions are a threat anywhere, and “the emotional toll can be devastating for anyone.”

While no one can be entirely immune to burglary, there are plenty of other security steps homeowners can take. McKinney recommends “using automated smart home devices, such as lighting systems, to create the appearance of occupancy when you’re away.” He notes the strongest defense against burglary is “a comprehensive smart home security system with the ability to remotely view and control video, locks, and lighting.” That can also include door and window sensors, motion detectors, indoor and outdoor cameras, video doorbells, and smart locks.

For even more peace of mind, it is possible to hire professional monitoring, which McKinney explains “offers 24/7 oversight by trained specialists who can swiftly respond to emergencies on your behalf.” If a break-in occurs, McKinney says those “professionally monitored systems can dispatch emergency services up to eight times faster than self-monitored setups.”

Stokes adds that for everyday families who don’t have the budget for private security teams, as celebrities might, “a professionally monitored security system is an affordable and effective way to protect what matters most.”

Making any investment in home security isn’t simply about protecting your valuables. “It’s about peace of mind,” Stokes says. “When you know your home is secure, you can live your life without constantly worrying about what’s happening while you’re away.”

And if you are fortunate enough to enjoy a home packed with convenient smart appliances and tech-forward devices, it's also a good idea to shield those from cybercriminals.

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