Yes. Burglars absolutely hate alarms. Studies show that roughly 60 % to 80 % of convicted burglars deliberately check for security systems beforehand and will move on to an easier, un-alarmed target if they spot one.
Yes, alarm systems are highly effective deterrents. Research consistently shows that a property protected by a security system is significantly less likely to be targeted by intruders.
Burglars hate anything that makes a break-in noisy, time-consuming, or highly visible. Criminals look for the path of least resistance; if a target requires too much effort or poses a high risk of getting caught, they will simply move on to an easier home.
Robbers and burglars are primarily deterred by the fear of getting caught, difficulty of entry, and lack of easy reward. The most effective deterrents include:
Home Security Cameras
Our best deterrent for burglars is the presence of an outdoor security camera. Having cameras mounted around your exterior home is a great way to prevent burglars from entering your home! This immediately makes it look as though burgling your home will be more of a risk.
A good place to hide valuables could be the entrance area, for example, as it is often overlooked. An unused fireplace can also be used as a hiding place: simply remove the cover, place valuables inside and then close it again. It is unlikely that a thief will look there.
Leaving a light on at night can deter burglars by eliminating dark hiding spots, but leaving the same light burning 24/7 can actually signal that you are not home. Security experts recommend specific lighting habits to maximize your home's safety:
Nighttime Burglaries
Around 21.8% of burglaries happen at night, between midnight and 4 a.m. Some reports say the numbers are closer to 53% during the day and 47% at night, showing that while burglars prefer daytime, the danger is there all the time.
Finding ways to make it look like you're at home even when you're not is a great way to deter burglars. But it's also important to try to change up your routine every so often for the times you are home. Though burglars don't always stake out homes before they choose to break in, it does happen.
Thieves prioritize speed and target areas where cash, jewelry, and electronics are most commonly kept. Because most burglaries last only a few minutes, they rarely waste time searching every room.
Avoid keeping your items in the prime spots like your master bedroom, bedroom closet, desk drawer in your study room, your jewelry box, or the cabinet in the hallway. These are the most common places where burglars search for these items.
5 Secrets burglars don't want you to know
Apartment buildings with two to four units typically see the highest amount of burglaries. This is probably because plenty of people come and go from apartment complexes daily, whiles homes only have a few family members who enter or leave.
Burglars like to 'work' unseen and prefer empty houses. A home without lights on and surrounded by darkness signals that not only is the house empty, but that a would be burglar can operate unseen. A house in this situation is a much more likely target.
Ring doorbells serve as a highly effective visual deterrent for opportunistic thieves, but they do not physically prevent break-ins. While many burglars will avoid a house with a visible camera, tech-savvy intruders can bypass them using signal jammers or disguises, and some may view them as an indicator of valuable items inside.
Certainty has a greater impact on deterrence than severity of punishment. Severity refers to the length of a sentence. Studies show that for most individuals convicted of a crime, short to moderate prison sentences may be a deterrent but longer prison terms produce only a limited deterrent effect.
Burglars look for valuables in places they can access quickly, such as dresser drawers, under the mattress, in closets, and in obvious caches like cookie jars or desk organizers. They typically bypass areas that require physical labor, are messy to dig through, or offer low reward for their time.
On average, a burglar spends 8 to 12 minutes inside a house. They typically gain entry in less than a minute by kicking in a door or smashing a window and prioritize grabbing high-value, easily transportable items before quickly fleeing to avoid police detection.
18 Ways to Theft-Proof Your Home Inside and Out
These are the most common points of entry for home break-ins: Front door: 34% of burglars twist the doorknob and walk right in. First-floor windows: 23% use a first-floor open window to break into your home. Back door: 22% come in through the back door.
More burglaries occur in the summer months than in the winter months. In what season do burglaries most often occur? A study completed by the Bureau of Justice Statistics showed a spike in burglary during summer months in a study from 1993-2010 with the exception of three years during that period.
The average burglar has only two options for entering your residence: doors and windows. Examine your entry points and see how well they would stand up to a thief. Doors and windows can be fashionably secured with ornate, yet sturdy, door handles and locks.
Just like light exposure during the day helps you feel awake, this has the same effect at night—so it makes sense that looking at screens or keeping the lights on can make you restless and unable to fall fast asleep.
A well-lit home can indeed discourage some burglars who don't want to risk getting caught. However, sophisticated burglars who are experienced in avoiding detection might see a lit-up house as an opportunity to blend in rather than avoid it.
Yes, visible security cameras strongly deter burglars. Studies by the University of North Carolina found that about 60% of convicted burglars deliberately avoid homes with clearly visible security systems and cameras to reduce the risk of being identified and recorded.