Burglars don't want to be seen. They looked for homes with big fences and overgrown trees or bushes. “Home away from other homes, blind spots, older window frames, cheap wooden doors,” wrote a burglar. “Large trees, bushes or shrubs around the home, or very reserved and conservative neighbors,” wrote another inmate.
Ask friends, family, or neighbors to just be present on your property — use your patio, play in your yard, or bring in the mail. Invite a neighbor to keep a car parked in your driveway. During the holidays, they may be happy if they need overflow for visitors. Install a fake security camera for as low as $8.
Most burglaries occur between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., since that's a prime timeframe where many homes are not occupied.
Do security lights deter burglars? Yes, they can. Light makes it hard for them to conceal their identity, so they are more likely to find a darker home.
The four main ways a burglar will choose their job include the following: Look for vulnerable folks (elderly, those living alone, easy targets, etc.) Opportunistic (very little forethought or planning) Desirability of property (smarter criminals)
Time Well Spent. Store a few small items in a wall or mantel clock, as long as the clock itself isn't worth stealing! Tape them to the back or put them in any open cavities. Steer clear of these hiding places, because that's where burglars always look first!
Most Burglars Admit Alarm Systems Deter Them
In a University of North Carolina at Charlotte study that surveyed 422 convicted burglars, 83% of burglars admitted they check homes for alarms before breaking in. 60% of the burglars claimed an alarm would change their minds.
Burglars often scope out a home, or 'window shop', before robbing it – they look at the entry and exit points and see if there are any valuables on display. Shielding your house with a tall fence will minimise that risk and may prevent a potential break-in.
It all depends on the individual. A less experienced thief may be happy with his pickings and too paranoid to return. On the other hand, the seasoned professional is confident he won't be caught, so he strikes again.
Shockingly, 85% of burglars will know their victims.
According to home break-ins statistics, it's far more likely that the person knows you.
Contrary to popular belief, it is not uncommon for burglars to target the same place twice. They believe that if they were able to escape successfully the first time, they would be able to do it again.
Fortunately, unlike movies, most burglars are looking to steal your belongings, not harm you. It's still pretty terrifying, though, to wake up in the middle of the night and realize someone else is in your house—and one can't exactly read a burglar's mind or know his or her intentions.
In the previous years it was believed that burning a compact disc (CD) was another trick used by criminals to make people fall asleep, but this has never been confirmed.
Installing security grills on the windows, making use of curtains, shades or blinds, using locks for the balcony windows and dowels or locking bars for the window tracks are all essential measures to bolster security of your balcony windows.
Adding trellis above your fence is a good way to keep burglars away as it makes it difficult for burglars to climb over. Adding trellis to your fence not only keeps burglars away but also makes your fence look more attractive and unique.
Can I put Barbed Wire on my Garden Fence? As long as it is on your property and fence are able to use barbed wire as a deterrent.
If you suspect criminal activity in your neighborhood, you should report it immediately. If you think that your home is being targeted, call the police and report that there is suspicious activity happening in and around your home. When the police arrive, describe the person and the car that the person was driving.
Burglars target the master bedroom where they look for cash, jewelry, electronics, guns and anything else that might be valuable. People often leave money and jewelry in plain sight and in the most obvious and common areas in the master bedroom.