- To stop a burglar, you must think ahead! Studies show that burglars are often opportunistic to target homes that present an easy entry point or appear vacant. Easy targets are the reason why they continue to steal. Knowing how burglars like to think is important to protect your home. Create a layered defense that addresses a wide range of burglary tactics. It’s not only about the visible security signs, cameras, and alarm systems, but also your tactics and precautions play a significant role in discouraging burglars. Understanding burglars’ behavior, enhancing visibility, securing entry points, and involving neighbors, helps create a safer home environment that will deter burglars and protect the home from potential robbery. We will review the tendencies of the average burglar in this article. We will go over statistics and facts while reviewing the security tips most people don’t think of. We will help do your best to protect your residence
A Visible Security Cameras as Deterrents
- Studies reveal that approximately 70% of burglars take note of security cameras when scouting potential targets. Many would-be intruders to think twice about proceeding because security cameras serve as a powerful deterrent. They represent a visible sign of protection, signaling that the homeowner is vigilant. A well-placed surveillance system not only disrupts their plans but also increases the perceived risk of getting caught. 40% of burglars will abandon an attempt in favor of a less-secured target if they spot security cameras. Around 5% act out of desperation or recklessness, believing they have nothing to lose. For them, the presence of cameras is irrelevant, whether due to a lack of concern about being identified or confidence in their ability to avoid consequences. Combining cameras with other measures, such as strong locks, alarm systems, and motion-activated lighting, can further reduce the chances of a break-in. While no system is foolproof, visible surveillance remains one of the most effective tools for protecting your home and increasing your peace of mind.
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Time Constraints in the Daytimes
Burglars often prefer daylight hours between the hours of 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. During these hours, most homeowners are either at work, school, or otherwise occupied. This is why these times increase the likelihood of a successful break-in without confrontation. This time window allows burglars to operate with relative ease. They can move quickly and discreetly without alerting neighbors or witness who are also at work or school as well. Additionally, daylight hours provide natural light, allowing burglars to navigate homes without any extra equipment like flashlights, which could otherwise draw attention. By targeting homes in the late morning to early afternoon, burglars minimize the chance of encountering residents, and this also enables them to blend into the neighborhood more easily. They sometimes will go as far as to pose as delivery personnel or contractors to avoid suspicion. Most neighbor who are at homes, may be focused on their own daily routines and are less likely to question unfamiliar activity. Why would they? For added effectiveness, burglars often do advance research. Scouting when homeowners typically leave and return, planning selective times, and finding out who is friend with their neighbors and who is the outcast.
Unsecured Entrances
It’s surprising but this is true: Over 30% of burglars just simply walk in through an unlocked door, windows, and other unsecured openings. It is critical to lock your door at night. Also, hide your spare key in the smartest spot. Under the welcome mats is to easy of a hiding spot, and intruders looking there for quick and low-risk opportunity. In many cases, intruders may casually check all entrances of a home. Commonly, this includes back doors, garage entrances, and first-floor windows that are left open. These points are often overlooked by the average homeowner. But why you ask? Because they’re in a so called, “safe neighborhood.” Understand that selling point that realtors sell to new homeowners doesn’t exist. “Safe neighbor” don’t exist! Never leave your entrances open. Intruders look for patterns of an everyday routine and lack of security. They are far more likely to select targets with minimized noise and alarm triggers. So if a security system or a loud dog is not present, they will have an easy time robbing you. To counteract this vulnerability, homeowners should have good habits of securing all entry points before sleeping at night, even when they’re in a hurry for work the next day, you can’t forget. Always lock doors and windows and install locks if needed. Some security systems today can automatically lock all doors and windows for you and detect which entries are open to remind you to lock up. By ensuring that every potential access point is secure, you can rest easy in your home and away for home too.
Concealing Shrubs and Fences
High fences, dense shrubs, or large trees may provide privacy, but they also offer burglars cover to go unnoticed. Instead of dense, sprawling bushes that can create hiding spots, consider keeping shrubs and hedges trimmed below window level. It to reduces the ability for intruders to conceal themselves to use your decor against you. Burglars often use these natural obstructions to conceal their movements as they approach or exit a home. Maintaining trimmed and pruned landscaping not only keeps your property looking well-kept but also reduces opportunities for burglars to hide. Routinely inspect your yard for areas where foliage has become overgrown or where new blind spots have emerged due to seasonal plant growth. Regularly check that lighting fixtures are working properly and aren’t blocked by plants. Adjust or prune as needed to keep entry points and pathways visible. Even a slight change in vegetation over time can impact visibility.
Front Door Tactics
Burglars frequently knock on the front door before breaking in to determine if anyone is home. If someone answers, they quickly make up a false reason for being there, such as asking for directions or pretending to be a salesperson. This is a dangerous move they use to break in! A burglar’s knock serves as a low-risk way to see if anyone inside is paying attention while you’re at home. If no one answers after several attempts, they may assume it’s safe to proceed. If your car is parked outside, they may think you’re asleep. If not, they’ll conclude that you’re not home. Neither way, it a lose-lose situation. Conversely, if someone answers quickly and confidently, the burglar is more likely to leave without further probing, and mostly likely not return.
The Power of Sound
I know it sounds like a home alone thing, but many burglars are deterred by the sound of a radio or television playing inside. They automatically suggests that someone is home. These sounds create uncertainty, often making intruders think twice before attempting to enter and makes the house a less attractive target. Burglars often choose homes that appear unoccupied to avoid encounters with residents. The possibility that someone is inside, even if it’s only through sound creates a psychological barrier that can discourage intruders from attempting to break in. Bonus tip: Using Smart speakers, like those from Amazon Alexa or Google Home, can be programmed to play sounds at specific times.
Prioritizing the Master Bedroom
Why do burglars go straight for the master bedroom? Because that is where they expect to find the most valuable items. They will search predictable places within the bedroom, like jewelry boxes on dressers, cash or wallets in nightstand drawers, or important documents in desk drawers or filing cabinets. Burglars rely on these common storage habits to locate valuables quickly. Children’s bedrooms are normally searched last and sometimes not at all, as burglars assume these areas contain fewer valuables. Most burglaries are completed in a matter of minutes. The average home invasion is about 7 to 10 minutes. Burglars often want to get in and out quickly, meaning they don’t have time to search every room. They prioritize areas where they’re most likely to find valuables with minimal searching, and the master bedroom is a target number one!
Dogs: A Major Deterrent
Training a dog to respond to unusual sounds or activity around the home can enhance its role in protecting your household. The unpredictable nature of a barking dog can make a burglar’s job much more challenging. Dogs create loud noises that draw attention, so whether is a small or large dog, anyone will know what’s going on. A dog’s keen senses mean they’re likely to detect unusual activity even before human occupants would notice. Even if they escape, believe are not, the dog is a witness. Burglars fear encountering a dog that could bite, chase, or simply make enough noise to alert neighbors. Even if homeowners don’t own a dog, posting a “Beware of Dog” signs or placing dog-related items like a leash or water bowl outside can create the illusion of a dog on the property.
Attentive Neighbors: Another Major Deterrent
- Let your neighbor know who you are. Active, engaged neighbors serve as an informal security network, providing surveillance that goes beyond what any single household can manage alone. A burglar may hesitate to target a neighborhood with visible community interaction. The increased visibility and interaction among residents increases the risk of being noticed or reported.