10 Things Burglars Don’t Want You To Know

“But my house will never be broken into,” is a comforting statement that far too many victims of burglaries told themselves before they came home one day to find that robbers had struck.

As a homeowner, you have to be prepared for the possibility of likewise coming home one day to discover that your home has had a break-in.

While you can never be 100% sure that your home will never be broken into, you can prepare your home to make it as difficult as possible for burglars to break into.

Here are ten things that burglars don’t want you to know:

You Should Reinforce The Front Door

Many homeowners don’t reinforce their front doors because they believe it’s too obvious of an entrance point. Burglars will always try to find a sneaky way in, right? Sometimes yes…and sometimes not.

It’s actually estimated that around a third of all burglars break into houses via the front door.

A common trick is for burglars to knock on the door pretending to be someone innocent, and when they hear no response, they’ll either open the front door if it’s unlocked or pry it open.

Always reinforce your front door with heavy duty locks and hinges, and consider replacing a wooden door with a steel one (just in case a robber gets the idea to try and break their way in with brute force via a sledgehammer, which can happen).

⇒ This “Quick Fix” Is More Effective In Keeping Out Looters Than A Solid Steel Door

Also install a home security system so you are always alerted when the front door is opened.

Don’t Leave Your Keys Under A Flower Pot Outside

This is one of the oldest practices in the book: people will leave a key to the front door under a flower pot on the front porch.

Most burglars are acutely aware of this practice and after knocking on the door to confirm nobody is home you can bet they’ll be checking under the flower pots looking for that key.

They’ll Come During The Day

It’s a common misconception that burglaries only happen at night, such as while you’re away on vacation or when you’re on a date night with your spouse while the kids are at a friend’s house.

In reality, more burglaries happen during the daytime than at night. Burglars who are smart will monitor a targeted home to see what times of the day the occupants leave, specifically to see when the kids will be taken to school and when you and your spouse will leave for work.

They’ll make their move when they have verified that everyone out of the house is gone, regardless of whether it’s nighttime or day time.

Don’t Leave Your Ladders Outside

Not all burglars will break into a home on the lowest level.

If you leave any ladders outside, a burglar could get the idea to set it up to ascend to a higher level of the home and break in through one of the second or third story windows. If they’re smart, the burglar will likely wear the uniform of a home repairman in this scenario to ensure any neighbors watching won’t get any suspicions.

The Warmer The Weather, The Higher The Chances of A Break-In

Burglaries are also more likely to happen in the warm summer months than during the winter.

This is because burglars know that people are likely to spend more time away from home when it’s hot outside. Burglaries can happen at any time of the year, but note that the likelihood is during the summer.

Bar Your Sliding Glass Doors

Do you have any sliding glass doors in your home? Always install a dowel or a broomstick along the bottom of the door so no one can open it from the outside.

The only alternative for a burglar in this case would be to smash the window open, but installing more durable Plexiglas windows can help mitigate this.

They’ll Go For Stuff Outside Rather Than Inside

Keep in mind that burglaries are not just relegated to the interiors of homes. Burglars will also target any detached garages or shops that you have apart from the home, and they’ll look for anything of value you have lying around outside such as tools or bicycles.

You Should Reinforce Your Windows

Burglars don’t want you to reinforce your windows for the simple reason that they are the easiest entry point besides the doors.

Make sure you have a glass break detector installed in your home, so a loud alarm will be triggered if it picks up on the sound of shattered glass.

Related: DIY Off-Grid Alarm System Against Intruders

You should also install  heavy duty locks and hinges on all of your windows (including the second and third story windows) and consider replacing the normal glass with a stronger glass (such as Plexiglas) that a burglar will have a harder time breaking down.

Make sure that all windows are closed when you are not home as well. .

Don’t Store Your Valuables With Your Clothing

Burglars want you to think that you’re being creative by stashing valuables (such as jewelry or guns) amongst your clothing.

In reality, when a burglar enters a bedroom one of the first things he or she will do is open your dresser drawers and rummage through your clothing looking for something valuable to take. Shoeboxes are another obvious target.

On that note, don’t store anything of value in your closet either, as it’s another target that burglars often go after.

Post Security Cameras Around The Properties

Even the most experienced of burglars will be intimidated by the sight of security cameras and have second thoughts about proceeding. Ideally make sure the security cameras are real, but even installing realistic looking fake cameras can be a good deterrence.

If you can put the above tips and strategies into practice, you’ll definitely frustrate any burglar who attempts to break into your home. Ideally, they’ll give up and move onto the next house, in which case hopefully your neighbors have put the same tips into practice.

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