There are a few misconceptions about burglaries.
One is that they are rare. While burglary rates have declined, there are still close to a million break-ins in the US and Canada each year.
Another is that they happen during the night. The majority actually happen during the day.
And finally, there is the assumption that criminals choose which homes they target at random. They do not. They opt for houses that give them the best chance of success.
The good news is that knowing why burglars choose which homes they will target provides an opportunity for homeowners to protect themselves. In this post, we will run through what criminals look for, as well as outline what you can do about them.
It Is Obvious There Is No One Home
Criminals rarely target homes that they know are occupied. They look for signs that no one’s home, which provides a much lower risk that they will be confronted by anyone.
It is normally difficult to tell if someone’s out of the house, but it becomes much easier to tell if there is mail piling up, trash cans have not been taken inside, or there is untouched snow on the driveway. If you are planning to go away for a few days, then ask a neighbor to keep an eye on your property and to remove any signs that you are not there.
There Is A Regular Routine
Determined burglars are patient. They will wait until the perfect time to strike. They figure out when that is by scouting out a property for a few days, so that they can determine the routine that the homeowners follow.
You cannot always control your routine, but it is good to mix it up when possible. Another option is to simply set a smart doorbell or camera, so that potential criminals know that the property is being watched even when no one is there.
The Doors Look Weak
When it comes to their property’s doors, most homeowners pay a lot of attention to the doors’ locks and virtually no attention to their structural integrity.
A broken lock is a green light for a burglar, but so is a door that is showing signs of wear and tear. That tells the criminal that they should be able to gain entry to the property without much difficulty.
It is easy to put off door repairs if it’s still closing correctly and generally functions fine, but it is best to take action as soon as possible. A company that offers professional door services can handle the repairs required to restore the door to full strength, or even replace the door if necessary. If you think a criminal could kick in the door, then it is time to call in the professionals.
There Is No Visible Security System
Burglars are looking for properties that offer the highest reward and the lowest risk. The homes that offer the lowest risk are the ones that do not seem to have a security system in place.
Think of it this way: the last thing a burglar wants is to find themselves on the wrong side of a property at the same time that an alarm system is going off. Letting potential criminals know that that is just what awaits them inside your home can be enough to put them off. You do not need to have a comprehensive CCTV system for this impact. Even a basic sign can do the trick.
Windows Are Left Open
To a criminal, the best gift a homeowner can give them is an open window at the back of the property.
It is an open invitation to come into the property. Most people would not dream of extending such an invite, yet it happens a lot more than you might think, especially during the summer months. In those hot days, many homeowners open up their windows and simply forget about them, often leaving to go to work or the store without closing them up.
This one’s an easy fix. Simply ensure that your windows are always closed when you leave your property, and make sure that everyone in the household knows the policy too.
There Is No Outdoor Lighting
Burglars love the cover of darkness, for obvious reasons. Not only does it allow them to enter a property with reduced risk of being seen, but it also gives them an opportunity to get up close and plan their attack in the days before the burglary occurs.
Outdoor lighting eliminates this risk. A criminal is infinitely less likely to hang around a property if there is a high chance that the owners or neighbors could see them. You do not need a particularly advanced setup to handle this issue; even a simple automated lighting system can do the trick. Just remember to change the bulbs when necessary; it is one of those things that is easy to overlook, yet a light system without working bulbs is the same as no system in place at all.
The Owner Is Posting Travel Updates On Social Media
It can be fun to keep your friends and family updated on your travel adventures. It’s not so fun to return home to a ransacked house.
Many people underestimate how risky posting travel updates on their social media accounts can be. It is extremely risky if your account is public, but also risky if it is private — you might think you know everyone who follows your account, but there is always a chance that they have less-than-honest intentions. Send your photos/videos/updates to select friends and family through private message, and save the profile updates until you are back home.
There Are Valuables On Display
Burglars like to balance risk and reward, but if the reward is big enough, then they will be happy to take extra risk. Showcasing valuable items that are visible from the front of your property can be an invitation to criminals to try their hand at breaking in and stealing your goods. Keep your high-value goods out of sight, and also think about the messages you might be sending in indirect ways — packaging for new laptops and other expensive goods, for example, can indicate what awaits a criminal if they enter your home.
