Where do most burglars enter the home?

Author: Furman Homenick MD  |  Last update: Friday, July 1, 2022

How Do Burglars Break into Houses?
  • 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.
  • Garage doors: 9% gain entrance through the garage.

Where do burglars go first?

“You always want to hit the bedroom first,” a burglar said. “You are going to have jewelry. The jewelry is usually in the bedroom. Guns and stuff like that are in the closet, usually in the bedroom.”

What makes your house a target for burglars?

Unlocked windows and doors, open windows, doggy doors, and open garages are all signs a home may be easy to enter. Hidden keys near the front or back doors that are easy to find (under door mats or rocks, for example) also make homes easy to burglarize.

Are Most break-ins through windows or doors?

According to her research, an overwhelming majority of burglars enter homes through the doors and windows. Thirty-four percent use the front door, while 22 percent get in through the back door. Twenty-three percent use first-floor windows.

Do burglars prefer corner homes?

Research shows that burglars tend to prefer corner houses because they're more accessible and they generally have fewer neighboring houses.

Thieves Broke into our House!

What time of day do most burglaries occur?

Most burglaries occur between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., since that's a prime timeframe where many homes are not occupied.

What to do when your house is being robbed?

Leave the house and call 911

If you arrive home and think your home has been burglarized, get out immediately. Do not look for the thief. Then, call 911. You don't need to confirm that items have been stolen to contact police.

Does leaving a light on at night deter burglars?

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.

Do most burglars know their victims?

Shockingly, 85% of burglars will know their victims.

According to home break-ins statistics, it's far more likely that the person knows you.

How do you scare burglars away?

Get More Tips
  1. Don't advertise big buys. An empty computer or television carton left on the curb is a flag to crooks. ...
  2. Ask for a reference. Before hiring anyone, get personal recommendations. ...
  3. Keep your mail out of reach. ...
  4. Stay well-trimmed. ...
  5. Get a virtual pet. ...
  6. Call the police. ...
  7. Know your neighbors.

Why do burglars avoid corner homes?

Any house that's secluded may also be a target. Corner homes are iffy. They allow thieves to scope the area (including your habits) easily by simply driving by and naturally slowing or stopping for a turn. Depending on your neighborhood's layout, they may also be less visible to neighbors and police.

How do you know if someone broke into your house?

8 Signs to Help You Tell If Your House Has Been Broken into
  1. Sign 1: Your Personal Belongings Are in Disarray. ...
  2. Sign 2: Evidence from Surveillance Footage and Fingerprints. ...
  3. Sign 3: Your Locks Have Been Tampered with. ...
  4. Sign 4: Signs of A Forced Break-in. ...
  5. Sign 5: New Marks on Your Tiles or Carpet.

How do thieves choose their victims?

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)

Where do burglars not look?

Here are 5 uncommon hiding places in your home for cash and other valuables.
  • Not In the Drawer, Behind the Drawer. Drawers typically don't go all of the way to the back of the cabinet. ...
  • 2) In the Potted Plant. ...
  • 3) Spare Paint Can. ...
  • 4) Attic Storage. ...
  • 5) The Hallowed-Out Book Trick.

What are burglars most likely to steal?

“The most popular items that burglars are looking to steal are typically cash, jewelry, and electronics.

Do burglars go into bedrooms?

When asked what room holidaymakers should store their valuables in, criminals said children's bedrooms - which many burglars rule a no-go area - as well as under sofas. One offender said they never entered children's bedrooms or playrooms when they broke into homes, calling it an 'unwritten rule'.

Where do robberies occur the most?

Robberies varied according to the region with the Southern States having the highest percentage of 38.3%, the Western States 23.6%, the Northeastern States 18.5%, and the Midwestern States at 19.5%.

Which are the most common things that burglars steal apart from money?

Blog
  • Cash. Of all the burglars interviewed, 90 percent of the interviewees admitted to taking cash from a residence, and 79 percent reported acquiring cash as their main intention during the burglary. ...
  • Jewelry. ...
  • Illegal Drugs. ...
  • Electronics. ...
  • Prescription Drugs. ...
  • Clothing and Shoes.

How often do burglars break windows?

Unfortunately, there are no exact statistics about how often do burglars get into a house (or condo) by breaking the window. Experience shows, however, that in about 5-15 percent of the cases where criminals entered a house through a window, they did so by breaking the glass.

Do burglars go to houses with alarms?

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.

What does a green porch light mean?

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.

Do high fences deter burglars?

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.

How can you tell if your house has been watched?

Signs Someone Is Casing Your House & Your House Is Being Targeted by Burglars
  • Unfamiliar Vehicles: New Cars or Vehicles on the Street or Neighborhood. ...
  • Strangers Walk Around the Street or Neighborhood. ...
  • Door-to-door Scams. ...
  • Mark the House with Flyers or Stickers.

How do you tell if someone is planning to rob you?

11. Other Possible Signs
  1. Unfamiliar Vehicles: New Cars or Vehicles on the Street or Neighborhood.
  2. Strangers Walk around the Street or Neighborhood.
  3. Door-to-door Scams.
  4. Mark the House with Flyers or Stickers.
  5. Toilet Excuse.
  6. Strangers Request for Help with Different Excuses.
  7. Strange Markings around the House.

Do burglars come back after failed attempt?

Unfortunately, after one “successful” burglary, intruders are likely to come back and target the same home again. Some studies show that only 1.2% of burgled residences experienced 29% of all burglaries. Repeat burglaries also often occur quickly after the first one—25% within one week and 51% within one month.

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