Yet, your idea of a home burglary is likely extremely different than the real trends out there. The image in your head of an easy target probably looks like a house with open windows and unlocked doors, and the burglar in this scenario might be wearing a dark mask in the dead of night.
However, modern-day thieves approach houses much differently. What draws them to one neighborhood over another, and why do they walk up one driveway and not the next? In the U. This indicates that you need to take serious actions to maintain safety and monitor your place.
Burglary attempts happen to everyday homes even more often than businesses. In all burglary offenses during , Before breaking into a home, burglars have to come up with an effective plan.
They case an area and look for particular features in houses. To find out if your place is an easy target for burglars, check out the three main categories of what burglars look for. Plotting a break-in begins with finding entry and exit spots. Doors and windows with vulnerable locks are a common access point for burglars.
If loosening or bypassing them is simple, then it makes getting inside easy. Garage doors and pet doors are both open passages where burglars can get through quickly, too. Quick departure is another plus for burglars. For instance, houses along a highway or adjacent to the interstate provide a speedy escape. Usually, burglars avoid running into homeowners during the job. According to the most recent data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics on household burglary victimization, no members of the household were present during approximately 72 percent of burglaries.
Another misconception about burglary crimes is that most of them happen at night. Surprisingly, of the residential burglaries, , happened during the day while only , occurred at night. A significant reason for this is because burglars expect people to leave for work, errands or school.
Despite the high number of daytime break-ins, many criminals opt for the low visibility of night. They can also look for houses that are difficult to see from the road, so no one catches them in the act. Minimal security is also a perk for burglars, and they can scope out security sensors, cameras and equipment. So, what are the items that robbers want to find in your home? Discreet storage areas for these items can keep you from losing money and assets.
Deposit these common burglar targets in an unpredictable spot in case a break-in happens. While residential break-ins are prevalent, there are plenty of ways you can set up your house to deter thieves. From incorporating visual cues to adding alerts, you can minimize the risk of burglary. Check out these tips on how to stop your home from being robbed.
Around 2 in households were victims of domestic burglary last year in the UK, and while it is impossible to completely eliminate the chances of it happening to you, there are some measures you can take to deter burglars from targeting your home. When evaluating your home security, try to think like a burglar and identify where there are weak points in your home which can be exploited to allow unwarranted entry. There are a few key elements burglars look for when targeting a home, which you should take into consideration when securing yours.
Find our guide for how burglars pick their target houses below:. The less secure your lock is, the easier it will be for burglars to quickly break in. At Banham, we offer maximum security front door locks , which feature 6-pin drill resistant cylinders, making it even more difficult for burglars to break or pick the lock.
Windows are also a common entry point, especially during the summer months. It is common for homeowners to forget they have left a window open to let some air in the house, leaving space for someone to easily break in. Windows that overlook a low roof on a house can also entice burglars, especially if they can climb onto the roof to reach the room. A good quality window lock can secure your home against intruders who are looking to gain entry to your property in this way.
Shockingly, only four out of ten homeowners lock their doors and windows when they go out, leaving their homes vulnerable to burglars during the day and overnight. It may seem obvious, but remembering to lock your windows and doors properly while your house is empty can make all the difference. Burglars that are targeting your home in the evenings or at night will likely look to break in where they can be hidden.
Shadowy areas that are concealed by trees, cars, or even other walls can entice burglars during these times, as it hides them from neighbours. Strategically placed motion detector lights can illuminate these areas when someone gets too close in order to scare off any potential burglars. You should also invest in a quality burglar alarm, which includes a bell box. If a burglar does try and break in, not only will you have an effective alarm system, but you'll also have the appropriate response coordinated by security experts.
When looking for a home to target, burglars will often inspect the house for any weak points before making their move. It can be used to blackmail you, target you for fraud, and even steal your identity. Burglars look for documents such as bank statements, passports, and birth certificates that they can use to mine your data.
They might also hack into your computers and phones to get useful information, which is why you must protect both your digital and physical data from being misused. Where they look: personal information in the form of bank and credit card statements can easily be found in the pile of unopened mail by your door. Burglars sometimes even go through your trash to find such information that they can then use against you. For that, they target restaurants and supermarkets.
Alcohol is expensive and easy to carry, making it a favourite among under-age burglars and those with alcohol addiction. Sometimes burglars just steal it for fun to have a post-heist celebratory drink. Where they look: the most obvious place to look for food, drinks, and other grocery items is the kitchen and pantry. Burglars might come across something that they like to eat or drink while raiding these places for hidden valuables. If you have an unlocked wine cellar in your home, you can expect some uninvited visitors.
Most burglars are greedy and take pretty much everything they can get their hands on. They might just walk around and pick up stuff along the way that they feel might be of value to them. How can you protect your home and valuables from being broken into and stolen?
Now that you know about the most common items and places that burglars look for, it will become easier for you to do something about it. We know how exciting buying an expensive piece of jewellery or gadget can be but you must resist the urge to flaunt it. You never know who might take notice of them and lock you as their next target. Items such as money, jewellery, expensive gadgets, and personal documents must all be kept away from windows where passers-by can easily see them.
Sharing on social media can also attract the wrong kind of attention. Burglars keep tabs on people and are on the lookout for the right kind of information. They can silently stalk you and find out where you live, what you own, and oftentimes, where you keep it. Home safes can protect your valuables, cash, and documents from theft and form an essential part of any home security plan. A good quality safe is very easy to conceal and looks like a regular storage unit to not attract unwanted attention.
They are also extremely versatile and are available in a variety of shapes and sizes. In addition to protecting your valuables from theft, safes also protect them from floods and fires. This is especially beneficial in storing important documents and valuable jewellery in keeping them safe from such disasters.
You must make it a habit to always shred important documents that contain valuable information before throwing them out. All computers and smart devices must be password-protected and confidential information such as financial records must be saved on portable hard drives that can easily be kept in a safe. Rule number one of home security is to keep all your entry points locked at all times.
This includes all the doors and windows, and not just the main ones, but all side doors, garage doors, shed doors, and even the smallest windows.
0コメント