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.
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.
Knowing when most burglaries occur is powerful information. The most common times for break-ins occur between 10 am and 3 pm. Rather than being guarded by night, most burglars choose the daytime to attempt a break-in, targeting homes when they believe no one will be present.
Keep your home looking lived-in when you're away. Leave lights on timers when you're away — but choose timers that have random settings so thieves can't detect a pattern. If you'll be away for a short time, leave a radio or TV on, turned up loud enough that it might be heard outdoors.
Do outside security lights deter burglars? Yes, they do – burglars tend to look for houses with no obvious security. And most break-ins happen at night when intruders can spend time getting into your house under the cloak of darkness. For both these reasons, outdoor light fixtures are a really effective deterrent.
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.
Bars on a window can have a particularly strong deterrent effect. Larry Erickson, writing for the National Association of Realtors' home improvement site HouseLogic, says burglars typically steal from homes that can be easily and unobtrusively entered.
When You're Home at Night
If you're home alone at night, it's a good idea to leave some light on your porch. Having a light on will alert others that you are home, and this will most likely deter any potential burglars.
Similarly, your 24-hour outdoor light doesn't really deter burglars. Instead, they'll be thankful for the light it provides them with. With a light on, burglars can see any obstacles that could create noise, and will also highlight any weak points or entry points around your home.
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.
There are multiple simple ways to deter burglars; exterior lighting, blinds or curtains, and decluttering your landscaping can all help make your house less attractive to burglars.
While about a quarter of the law enforcement agencies NBC spoke to said they believed the cameras, discreetly fitted inside internet-connected doorbells, deterred crime, none had data to link the overall drop in property crimes to their deal with Ring.
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.
The most important issue surrounding use of your porch light, though, is that leaving it shining all night can throw a wrench in the works of a home security plan. Turn it off when you go to bed. Most burglaries occur during the day when lighting isn't a factor anyway.
Does leaving a light on at night deter burglars? In a word, yes. Leaving a light on at night is an old-school burglar deterrent that has been proved time and time again to work.
An investigative report by KGW8 out of Oregon surveyed 86 burglars. The study concluded that if “a homeowner had a big, loud dog most burglars would stay away.” One of the convicted burglars even said, “dogs are a deal breaker for me… Big breeds, home protectors are the best to keep people out.”
The most effective deterrents for home burglaries and car theft were CCTV cameras, the panel said. They also named loud barking dogs, strong heavy doors, a TV being switched on and locked UPVC windows as the next most likely to put them off breaking into a home.
Green Porch Light Meaning. A green porch light usually shows appreciation for U.S. veterans and active military members. However, you will also see green lights for St. Patrick's Day, Memorial Day, and Lyme disease awareness month.
Motion-Activated Lights as Crime Deterrents
Motion-activated lights are an important layer of home security. It is true that lights cannot stop a criminal in the physical sense. They can, however, have a powerful psychological effect that can give a would-be intruder reason to stay clear of your home.