How to discourage burglars?

Author: Joyce Pfannerstill  |  Last update: Tuesday, October 28, 2025

Check your home for security weaknesses and correct them
  1. Install simple security devices. ...
  2. Invest in a burglar alarm. ...
  3. Invest in security cameras. ...
  4. Trade a bit of privacy for added security. ...
  5. Shine a light. ...
  6. Keep valuables out of easy sight.

What puts burglars off the most?

Security measures that put burglars off
  • Alarm Systems. Burglars hate alarm systems - and for very good reason! ...
  • Security cameras. CCTV cameras can also deter burglars from attempting to enter your home. ...
  • Barking dog. ...
  • A secure garden. ...
  • Access points. ...
  • Teamwork. ...
  • Obvious absence. ...
  • Social media oversharing.

What really deters burglars?

Lock all outside doors and windows before you leave the house or go to bed. Even if it is for a short time, lock your doors. Leave lights on when you go out. If you are going to be away for a length of time, connect some lamps to automatic timers to turn them on in the evening and off during the day.

How do you scare off burglars?

It therefore makes a lot of sense to know the best ways to deter burglars from attempting a break-in.
  1. Visible alarm systems. An intruder alarm should head up your priority list if you are looking to prevent break-ins. ...
  2. CCTV cameras. ...
  3. Locked doors and windows. ...
  4. Thorny borders. ...
  5. Lighting. ...
  6. Barking dog. ...
  7. Gravel.

How to make your house unattractive to burglars?

Lights, have no places that give a criminal places to hide and look in the house. Keep a few small yard lights on the bushes and a motion activated light over the garage and patio. keep shrubs and small bushes to a minimum, burglars like to be able to look into a window make sure its worth coming into.

Ex-Burglar's Tips on How to Protect Your Home | This Morning

What houses do burglars avoid?

Houses that appear occupied—with the lights on, a vehicle in the driveway, visible activity, or audible noises from within—are less likely to be burglarized. 28 Even houses near occupied houses generally have a lower risk of burglary.

How to make your house breakin proof?

Check your home for security weaknesses and correct them
  1. Install simple security devices. ...
  2. Invest in a burglar alarm. ...
  3. Invest in security cameras. ...
  4. Trade a bit of privacy for added security. ...
  5. Shine a light. ...
  6. Keep valuables out of easy sight.

What are robbers scared of?

“A good home security system should make a VERY loud noise. Noise is key to deterring burglars. Most burglars want to stay undetected, so when a window or door opens and an ear piercing sound fills the neighborhood, usually the intruder is scared off.

Which rooms are generally targeted first?

In speaking with our customers and security consultants, it's clear that most burglars head straight to a bedroom when they enter a home. If they can identify the primary bedroom, it will be their first target.

Does leaving outside lights on deter burglars?

So do outdoor lights deter crime? They can, but only for a small portion of potential burglaries. Using this information, there are a few ways you can use lighting as part of your crime prevention strategy.

What do thieves hate most?

What do Burglars Hate
  • Working From Home. Most home burglaries are planned and executed by careful thieves who spot an opportunity and stake out a property to find out when the occupants aren't at home. ...
  • Security Systems. ...
  • Door and Window Security. ...
  • Burglar Alarms. ...
  • CCTV Systems. ...
  • Smart Locks. ...
  • Doorbell Cameras. ...
  • Lighting.

Do Ring doorbells encourage burglars?

Having a Ring doorbell can attract burglars instead of deterring them, according to experts. Alarms fitted on homes can indicate to thieves that there are valuable items worth stealing. Research has shown that alarms can increase the risk of burglaries and give a false sense of protection.

What is a cheap burglar deterrent?

Trellis, thorny plants, or a suitable anti-climb topping such as plastic spikes make it difficult for anyone climbing over a fence or gate. Planting prickly or barbed shrubbery along boundaries and fence lines acts as an effective natural barrier. Gravel driveways and paths will make sure you hear anyone approach.

Should you pretend to be asleep if someone breaks in?

Burglars Do More Than Steal

At night, if you think you hear someone breaking in, leave safely if you can, then call the police. If you can't leave, lock yourself in a room with a phone and call the police. If an intruder is in your room, pretend you are asleep.

How to keep your house safe at night?

Make sure you know the following tips:
  1. Install outside lights and keep them on at night. ...
  2. Prune back shrubbery so it doesn't hide doors or windows. ...
  3. Leave shades, blinds, and curtains in normal positions.
  4. Don't let your mail pile up! ...
  5. Consider a security alarm system. ...
  6. Video security cameras can be a good investment.

Does leaving TV on deter burglars?

Leave Your Radio and TV On. A loud radio or TV on can be an even better deterrent than an alarm (learn more burglar deterrent gadgets here )to prevent burglars and bandits from breaking into your home.

What's the safest room in a hotel?

If possible, do not accept a room on the ground floor. The second floor is better, but the third or fourth floors are considered optimal. Rooms should be above the ground to make access from the window or balcony more difficult, but not so high that emergency services cannot access the room in case of fire.

What should be the first room you walk into in a house?

A foyer is the space you step into as you enter your home through the front door. Think of a foyer as a lobby or landing space when you walk through the front entryway of a home. It's the transition from outdoors to indoors.

Which rooms should be staged?

Kitchens and bathrooms sell homes for sure, but staged living rooms have a massive impact on how buyers feel about their future home. It's the place where they will entertain and spend most of their time outside of the bedroom.

How to make house burglar proof?

18 Ways to Theft-Proof Your Home Inside and Out
  1. Look for vulnerable spots. ...
  2. Lock doors and windows. ...
  3. Landscape strategically. ...
  4. Put up a fence. ...
  5. Install double-key deadbolts. ...
  6. Upgrade doors and locks. ...
  7. Install motion sensor lighting. ...
  8. Invest in a home security system.

What is the best door to avoid burglary?

A security door differs from a typical door because it is often reinforced with steel or aluminum. These doors feature layers of steel sandwiched in-between wood, making them more challenging for would-be burglars to break.

How do robbers mark your house?

Unusual Objects Around the Property: Objects like stones, bottles, or pieces of string placed around your property may also be used as markers for burglars. Unexpected Door Knocks or Phone Calls: Burglars sometimes knock on doors or make phone calls to check if anyone's home.

How can you discourage burglars?

Why Invest in Burglar Deterrents?
  1. Home Security Cameras. Our best deterrent for burglars is the presence of an outdoor security camera. ...
  2. Outdoor Lighting. ...
  3. Smart Video Doorbell Cameras. ...
  4. Dogs. ...
  5. Security Gates. ...
  6. Keeping Open Spaces Around Your Home. ...
  7. An Alarm System. ...
  8. Get Friendly With Your Neighbors.

How do you stop someone from coming to your house?

Put a “No Trespassing” sign on your home.

Nothing says “private property” like a “No Trespassing” sign. If a fence is not enough, a sign can be helpful to make it extra obvious that trespassing is not permitted. Keep in mind that some trespassers still can ignore it or overlook it.

How do I burglar proof my front door?

1. Upgrade your Door Lock
  1. Multi-point locking system. If you want to improve its security, consider upgrading from a standard lock to a multi-point locking system. ...
  2. Deadbolt lock. Another great way to make your front door more secure is by installing a deadbolt lock. ...
  3. Smart locks. ...
  4. Double cylinder locks. ...
  5. Hinges. ...
  6. Door Frame.

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