While my husband and I were out visiting family one weekend, thieves broke into our home, took the pillowcases off our bed and filled them with our valuables. We didn’t know this, of course, until hours after the burglars escaped, undetected, into the cool evening air.
Up until that point, I’d been naïve about home break-ins. I didn’t think one could happen to me—and for good reason. The number of U.S. burglaries has declined over the past 10 years. Yet, in 2019 (the latest year where data is available), there were still more than 1.1 million committed, as reported by the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Although a homeowners policy or renters policy can help defray the costs of stolen goods, for many of us, a break-in is about more than just lost stuff. For weeks after our own, I felt violated, afraid and a little angry.
What’s a homeowner to do? Turns out there are several simple steps you can take to help keep the bad guys at bay. Here’s what you should know.
When Do Most Burglars Strike?
Most thefts are committed by careful burglars who plan crimes based on when they’re least likely to get caught. That means they’re sometimes walking the neighborhood, taking note of homes with:
- Dogs
- Security systems
- Long stretches of time with no one home
Burglars Strike During the Day
Burglars don’t want to run into people. Doing so makes their job that much more difficult, which is probably why more than half of home break-ins occur during the day, when most people are at work or at school.
Thieves are often “looking for signs that no one is there,” says Trooper Pascal DiJoseph from the Pennsylvania State Police. ‘They like the easy way. They don’t want to make noise. They don’t want to get caught.”
Of course, we can’t be home all the time. But that doesn’t mean that we can’t fool would-be burglars into thinking that we are.
Warmer Weather Welcomes More Burglar Activity
As temperatures rise, so do burglary rates. That’s according to a research report released by the Bureau of Justice Statistics, which found substantial summer spikes in crime activity over a 17-year period. The combination of lengthier days and pleasant weather means people will spend more time away from home, creating greater opportunity for the neighborhood prowler.
The best defense may be to make it appear as if someone is home, even if you aren’t. Read on to discover five easy-to-follow tips to fool would-be burglars.
1
Locking Your Doors and Windows Can Stop One-Third of Break-Ins
Many home burglaries are crimes of opportunity, according to Eric M. Gruss, a Monterey County, California-based police officer. “They’ll try the front door, the side door, the back,” says Gruss. Other common points of entry include a home’s attached garage or its first-floor windows.
“People often don’t double check to make sure their windows and doors are locked,” explains Gruss. That’s the kind of complacency thieves count on. In fact, about one in three burglars enter the home when it is unlocked.
Doors and Locks
Despite the high number of open-door-and-window break-ins, most burglaries do involve some sort of forcible entry. Many locks—particularly those placed on secondary doors like those on back porches and garage doors—aren’t strong enough to keep the people out. For best protection, all exterior doors should be solid—that means no windows—and kick-proof.
Also, “there should be deadbolts on all your doors,” advises Gruss. The most effective deadbolt locks will be installed with a box strike plate—an upgrade from the standard strike plate that rests on your door jamb. The strike plate is the weakest point of the door, making it a common entry for a door-kicking burglar. For added durability, install the box strike plate using three inch screws, instead of the standard one inch. While you’re at it, protect your windows, too. Gruss suggests an auto-lock feature for those.
If you moved recently, make sure to change all the locks and update any coded entry points. A previous owner could have left an extra key or pass code with a pet sitter, adult child or neighbor. In short, unless you change the locks, you don’t know who has access to your home.
And what about hiding your spare key? “Never leave it on your property,” warns Gruss. “If you can think of a hiding spot, a bad guy can think of it too.” Instead, hand off a copy to a trusted neighbor.
Sliding Glass Doors
Large, sliding glass doors can be easy to shatter, often leaving them vulnerable to attack. They’re also “notorious for lock failure,” adds Gruss. “To be extra safe, get something like a broomstick [or a dowel] and keep it along the bottom of the door, so no one will be able to open it.”
The installation of a glass break detector can also trigger a home alarm if the sound of shattered glass is detected. Other safety options include the installation of shatterproof film or a heavy duty sliding door lock.
Windows
We all want to open some windows to let some fresh air inside, particularly when the weather turns warm. When it comes to safety, however, the window is easily shattered, making it the most fragile entry way into the home. They’re also often left unlocked or equipped with a latch, making it easier to force or pry open. That’s why the most effective ways to maintain window safety include:
- An installed secondary locking mechanism: A track lock can be installed on vinyl or aluminum windows to stop the frame from moving freely up or down. Wooden windows can be secured by pushing a bolt nail, or dowel through a hole drilled through the bottom panel’s stile and then halfway through the upper panel’s stile.
- Close windows when you’re not home: It only takes a burglar a few minutes to break in and rob a home. Closing the windows, even for a quick trip to the store, may be the delay needed to send a prowler packing.
- Carefully select which windows to open, when you do open them: When sleeping, keep only the hard-to-reach windows—like those on the second floor, away from any flat roofing—open. It’s also best to open the windows that are visible from the street. A thief will have a harder time slipping into a window that’s easily visible to neighbors.
- Don’t open windows too wide: Even better, keep all windows open by a margin of less than four inches. Why? That’s the diameter of a child’s head, which means there’s little chance a burglar can fit his head through an opening of that size.
2
Thieves Really Do Case the Joint… but You Can Fool Them
Sometimes thieves do invest time and effort in finding the perfect victim. Don’t help them in their research.
What Do You Do With Packaging From Expensive Purchases?
- Don’t leave the packaging boxes from an expensive new TV or game console outside by the trash cans for would-be burglars to spy, warns Gruss. “That’s just advertising that you’re a good potential victim.”
- Do break down the boxes and place them inside your recycling bin where they’ll be out of sight.
Do You Leave Doors Open When You’re Home?
- Don’t keep the doors to your home, garage or shed open, even when you’re home. An open door gives thieves a sneak peek at what tools they may be able to use to jimmy a lock or to climb to a second story window. It also showcases your pricey stored goods like a high-end tool chest, a riding lawn mower or circular saw. If you’ve converted your garage into a livable space, be extra wary. “Here in California, a lot of people turn their garages into man caves. Keep the garage door open and everyone can see that you have a nice TV in there,” says Gruss.
- Do keep the door closed and keep would-be thieves from knowing what expensive toys you have stashed away.
Do You Keep Your Car Doors Locked When You’re Home?
- Don’t leave your car doors unlocked, especially if you park on the street, in the driveway or in an unlocked garage. Any items left in the car are at risk, but there’s an even greater danger most people may not consider. “Thieves may steal the garage door opener in the middle of the night and then return to your house during the day,” explains Gruss.
- Do keep the car door locked and any remote garage door openers out of sight.
What Are You Posting on Social Media?
- Don’t publicly post photos to your social media sites. Once online, anyone can access your—or your child’s—photos, which could showcase your expensive electronics and help thieves map the layout of your home. This goes double for vacation photos, which can tip crooks off to the presence of an empty home.
- Do set your profiles to private, warns Gruss. Carefully vet friends and contacts, making sure you’re connected only with people you actually know and trust in real life. Wait to post vacation photos until after you’ve returned home.
Are You Home?
- Don’t make it obvious that you’re not home. Would-be thieves are looking for tips to identify a homeowner’s schedule, particularly one who is not often home.
- Do throw thieves off the trail by leaving a few lights on or setting a timer to turn them on at dusk. Leave some window shades up and some shades down, so it looks like someone is home. If you’re on vacation or away for an extended time, think about hiring a house sitter or asking a neighbor to check in on the house one or two times a day. A little regular movement can be just enough of a deterrent to scare off a potential burglar.
3
Being a Good Neighbor Can Decrease Area Break-In Numbers
Getting to know your neighbors, and looking out for each other, is one of the most effective ways to deter would-be burglars in search of a neighborhood to prowl.
- Create a neighborhood watch: Criminals don’t want to be approached by nosy neighbors. An area with high foot traffic, where people know each other and watch out for unfamiliar activity, will be a lot less attractive to burglars.
- Watch your neighbor’s back: Create a network of neighbors who will watch each other’s homes while away. Bring in mail, water the lawn, bring garbage and recycling cans to and from the curb. Park in each other’s driveway so it appears as if someone is home. Any act that mimics everyday activity will give thieves an indication that it’s business as usual at home.
- Share key security information: Share emergency contacts, a spare key and any security codes with a trusted neighbor or two. Agree to listen for each other’s home security sirens, particularly when you know a neighbor won’t be home.
4
They Already Know Where You Keep Your Valuables… So Do This Instead
Even if you don’t post your photos online, an experienced thief probably already knows where to go. “A lot of people keep their valuables in a jewelry box and that’s an easy target,” says DiJoseph. “They grab it and off they go.”
He suggests keeping valuable items and family heirlooms in a household safe that is either too heavy to carry or professionally mounted to a floor or beam that can’t be removed from the home.
It’s also a good idea to keep a home inventory of your most important possessions. You should also photograph your keepsakes. Document the models and serial numbers for big-ticket electronics and guns. Think about engraving an ID number and the name of your home state on valuable electronics. Sometimes stolen items are recovered at a later date. The more identifying information you have about an item, the more likely it is to be returned to its rightful owner.
“Unless you have that information on file, though, there’s not a lot we can do to return property to its rightful owner,” explains Gruss.
Does insurance cover your stolen valuables? Your homeowner’s policy covers up to certain limits; however, by adding The Hartford’s Valuable Items Blanket Coverage to your policy, you can be assured this added layer of protection will provide a hassle-free and inexpensive way to protect your high-value items.
Check with your home insurance agent or call us to make sure specific items are covered.
5
You Can Make Your Home a More Difficult Target
The harder it is for a thief to enter your home, the more likely they are to go somewhere else. Here are some effective deterrents:
Home Security
- Mount a visible camera: Many home security cameras can be set to send an alert to your smartphone if someone enters the frame. “A quick glance can tell you if it’s the gardener, the exterminator or someone else,” says Gruss. Even a fake camera can work wonders. “Thieves are more likely to pick a place that looks like it has no security on the house,” he explains.
- Invest in a home security system: As with a camera, just the sight of an alarm system sticker can be enough to deter a would-be thief. “People sometimes don’t like the sticker, they don’t like the way it looks, but posting it really does make a difference,” affirms Gruss.
- Don’t just bluff that you have a secure home: Don’t just buy a home security sticker or decal to post in front of your house. If a burglar forces entry through your back door and doesn’t trigger an alarm, they’ll know pretty quickly that the sticker is a sham—and that your home is unguarded.
- Set the siren for a short interval: Even with an alarm, once a burglar is in, time is of the essence. “Sometimes they’re out before the siren even goes off, sometimes within a minute or two,” says DiJoseph. “That sounds like a short amount of time, but try it. Set a watch and see if you can run through every room of your house in under a minute.” (Note: I tried it. He was right. I was able to make it through my home in under a minute.) DiJoseph suggests setting your system’s siren delay for just 10 to 15 seconds.
- Install motion detecting lights: Nighttime intruders can be deterred by a blinding spotlight, triggered by an intruder’s presence.
Other Deterrents
- Trim your hedges: “High shrubs provide cover for a prowler,” explains Gruss. Keep them cut back to below your window so a burglar can’t hide while trying to pick your lock or break your glass.
- Post a “Beware of Dog” sign: Even if you don’t have a dog, some burglars may be dissuaded. Better yet, adopt an actual dog. Just be aware of how certain breeds can affect homeowner’s insurance premiums.
- Keep a television or radio on: This can deter some burglars by leading them to assume someone is home.
What To Do If You See Someone Suspicious
It’s not always easy to keep your cool in the heat of the moment. It can make sense to establish an emergency plan—just in case you come across a would-be intruder at home.
- If you see a suspicious vehicle in the neighborhood, write down the license plate number or snap a photo. It may turn out an unknown visitor from down the street but it won’t hurt to have the info if it turns out to be someone up to no good.
- If a stranger knocks on your door, make sure they know you’re in the home. Be loud, even if you choose to not answer the door. More than anything, you want to make your presence known. Thieves most often prefer an empty home.
- If you choose to answer the door, do so while on the phone with a friend (or pretend you’re on the phone). This will key a burglar in to the fact that someone else will know if a break-in occurs.
- If you’re positive a break-in is in progress, call 911 and shout statements like, “I just called 911!” You want to let the burglar know you’re aware of their presence and that help is on the way.
- If you come home to a burglarized home, call the police immediately. Don’t touch anything the criminal may have touched. Wait outside for the police to arrive. It’s possible a burglar may still be inside the home.
Even if you follow these tips, they aren’t guaranteed to keep your home safe from burglars. Still, the harder it is to get to your goods and the more likely they are to get caught, the less likely a thief will select your home.
What burglar prevention tips would you add to this list? Let us know in the comments.
My home makes Fort Knox look bad.
If you use camera that can be accessed over the internet, use strong passwords otherwise they will be useful to hacker to spy you…
We always disconnect our garage when we leave so if someone was to get our garage opener it would not let them open the garage. We always leave one of our locked cars outside when we go on trips and keep our big living room blinds open with one light on. If we get packages while we are away we have our neighbors bring them into their house so it doesn’t look like we are gone. I also never open the door to strangers, sometimes not even my neighbors when I’m home with just the kids. I always have my doors locked and double check every night that everything is locked and that my garage door closed. If I’m closing it, I watch it go down all the way and not assume it did after pushing the button and going inside. I have to have the visual of it actually fully closed.
If your a woman living alone get a pair of mens boots or shoes, large and maybe a hat or coat to leave by your door. Then when you answer the door and feel unsafe you could mention your husband is asleep talk low, getting ready to go shopping or anything else so he knows you have someone to call out for help.
Sliding patio doors are removed by prying them up out of their track with a large screwdriver. To stop this I have screwed 2 narrow pieces of wood above mine. I have also done this above all my ground floor sliding windows. Another tip is to meet the neighbour behind you and exchange contact info.
All good points, one that I would like to shed some additional light on is insurance; sure most of us have it. We were robbed in 2011, 2013 and 2016 and when we filed the insurance claims, all over 20k, we received maybe 1500 dollars from the insurance company. Yes they say you’re insured but what they make you do is replace the items and then once you provide a receipt, within a year, they will pay you 50% of the cost. I don’t have 20k lying around to replace everything stolen and then to only get 10k back.
My point is, speak extensively with your agent and make sure you’re covered at a level that you’re comfortable with. If not, you’re going to be so angry for a multitude of reasons. Stay safe!
Even if you don’t have a dog, leave a dog dish with water in it by the front door and the back door. Burglars hate dogs and will avoid your house if you have one.
Good advise. Reading this helps me to be more aware.
That’s great to hear, Donald! We’re glad you liked the article.
The neighbors have to get to know each other. On my street we are all very close, like an extended family. The neighbors all know me, we all share our phone numbers. I am retired and keep an eye out for everyone. This works great for all of us. I have lived here for 40 years and have never had a problem. Know your neighbors, and their children. look out for each other trust me it works.
That’s great advice, William. Thank you for sharing it!
Is the (newsletter) free?
Yes it is!
Thanks for good information.
You’re welcome! We’re glad you liked it, Brenda!
Great to read, I have been robbed, terrible feeling. I now am very confident if I’m robbed they will catch the perpetrators. Thank you Hartford.
I see so many recommendations to install one of the many security systems available now. Great suggestions, for sure, but here’s one thing that should go along with any of them: Burglars these days know about these systems and how they work. For most of them, their first thing to do is to disconnect the system, and on many homes this is as easy as shutting off the main disconnect switch for the house power. Some homes have this switch indoors, but many have it right there on an outside wall. Shut that off and there’s no more security system. Even if the system is battery operated (highly recommended), it still needs wifi to be fully functional. The wifi goes down when your power is shut off. A battery operated system that sets off a battery-operated alarm is the only way you can get around this problem. In the meanwhile, at least make sure that your wifi cable isn’t conspicuously obvious where it enters the building. Ours is underground and where it emerges from there to connect to the building, it’s a bright orange cable! Just a quick snip and no more wifi. It’s tough to be really secure, but we need to do what we can. At our recent burglary, the thieves found and stole both the cameras!
Great advice! Thank you for sharing it, Skip!
Your alarm can be connected through cellular towers instead of wifi, and with a back up battery, it will be harder for the robber. But these systems are generally those that are professionally installed.
An easy alarm to set up yourself and one that works is this: A motion detector is set up in a spot in the house so that it will cover the area an intruder will have to cross to access anywhere in the house. It is connected to a VERY LOUD horn or siren INSIDE the house. This is something no burglar will expect or be prepared for. His first reaction will be to get out of there asap. It can, of course, also be connected to another alarm outside for added effect and to make sure the perp doesn’t stick around once back outside just to see if he can find a way to disconnect the alarm. I set up mine to run off of an inexpensive motorcycle (riding-mower battery will do, too) battery that’s connected to a tiny “battery maintainer” charger. The battery hookup is to foil the savvy burglar who will first disconnect the power to the house to shut down any alarms and of course, the wifi that most alarm systems need to function properly. Alarm horns that work on 12-volt battery power are readily available. Amazon will do if you want it easy. You can actually buy everything you need to put this together right there, although your local hardware store can probably do as well.
Thank you for sharing the detailed advice, Skip!
I will never ask a relative/friend/neighbor to watch my home while I’m away. I was robbed several years ago and I had asked my mother to check on my house while I was away. Imagine how I would have felt if my mother had interrupted that burglary! I’ll never put anyone in that position again….sure, if someone sees something untoward from the street, ask them to call the authorities. Otherwise, relax — that’s why you have insurance!
We moved to AZ. and had roller shutters installed in all the windows. When we go to bed or on a trip, the shutters come down! Our front and back doors are double locked. Garage door is locked and since I do not have an electric garage door opener, I put a 3 by 12 inch above the garage door that is secure to the beam with a 1/2 bolt with a spring to maintain pressure on the wood so when the 3 by 12 is pulled down against the top of the door it can not be forced open.
Thank you for sharing this, Hector. We appreciate your comment.
All great information, thanks for sharing. I recently moved out in the country a ways from town. I do have an attack dog over 100lbs and a great security system, but feel there is still more I should do to protect myself and these tips are great. Thanks
We’re glad you found the tips useful. Thanks for commenting, Nora!
Everything is locked! Day and Night. The dog lets us know if anyone is snooping around. Security lights, motion detectors, Cams and security bars and ADT 24/7. It’s a different world today than it was when I was growing up. Lose and learn.
Good advice, an addition should be to install a Simply Safe alarm system to your house. Very easy self install you can customize & cheaper than many other systems. Gives you alerts to your phone and you can see your camera any time.
Big trees and bushes, or tall privacy wall.If the entrance to your home is shielded by big trees, bushes or a tall wall, burglars could be encouraged to try entering from the front or side of your home, as these give them good cover. An overgrown or neglected garden could also indicate you haven’t been home for some time.
What about shoe thrown on ur roof? Read it’s a tag? Church next door and on the side by my house has bad stuff going on. Just wondering
all very prodicable. greaterimagination would add to uncertaincy.
You make a great point about having a track lock. I need to hire a contractor to install a security system. I’ll have to consider getting something that is automated.
This article provided me with so much great information. Thanks Hartford!!
We’re so glad you found the article helpful, Elaine!
The article was informative, and I’m glad to have read it. I was rather happy that we are already doing most of the hints, makes me feel much more safe! Since we are seasoned citizens we are more cautious than we used to be, as we should. My suspicion is that by the time you get as old as us, you should have more sense.
We’re so glad you liked it, Marilyn!
I forgot another item, garage doors can be lifted if they can trip the line inside. If your door has windows, place some fancy film over the inside so they can’t see through yet the light comes through, also use a baggie tie to prevent the rope from being pulled easily. You can still break it with a hard pull down if you need to, but reaching through with a wire to catch the pull rope like a thief would have to do won’t work if the baggie tie is through the hole in the top.
If you have a window in the garage wall, which unfortunately some contractors put in, have someone install a roll down shutter on it and keep it down, or board it up on the inside. Turn on the lights instead of using the window.
Thank you for sharing this, Marie!
If your alarm pad is usually near an entry door and sometimes a window is near as well as a door with a window in it. A Thief can see that pad and he knows if it’s on or off. Keep the shutters or curtain drawn so he can’t see the pad, or put hard to see through film on it. Or cover the pad on and off indicators with tape so they can’t see what they indicate.
A lock box like real estate people put on the door is hard to break into and has a code to open. Use that to keep an extra key in. And give the information to the police, fire, and paramedics in case you can not answer the door when you call them.
Thank you for sharing this insight, Marie!
This was a great email
We’re glad you liked the article, Judy!
Helpful information.
Thank you.
You’re welcome, Doris!
I’m surprised that no one has mentioned video tours of homes made by real estate agents. These tours and the accompanying descriptions detail the layout of the house which may be vacant for weeks before or after a sale. Aspiring burglars can see how the house is laid out and possibly any security cameras inside or out. When new people move in they do not know neighbors with whom to leave keys, or local crime statistics and may be busy dealing with things other than securing their house. In my neighborhood, an ADP placard is a sure sign that someone has moved into the area from out of state…
This is a good point, Richard. Thanks for sharing!
I Love this article which covers lots of items but one thing I believe you missed: The hinges in any exterior door that swings out. If the hinge pins can be tapped out and the hinges are not the type that lock when the door is closed, then all the burglar has to do is tap out the hinge pins and the door will fall off. The solution is to install pins in the edge of the door and drill matching holes in the sash so that when the door closes the edge pins go into the holes and even if the burglar taps out the hinge pins the door can’t be removed.
This is a great point, Rod. Thank you for the comment!
I install an addition hinge just 1/2″ above from the existing hinge. This way the pin cannot be push out.
Walkout basement doors are a great entrance for thrives. I put at 2×4 cross the inside with a hook on each side.
Thanks for sharing, Dan!
Lots of nice advice, but I have to correct on you on one thing: It’s the diameter of a child’s head that is blocked by a 4″ gap (such as the maximum in all railings on decks or stairs), not the circumference, LOL. The circumference of a banana is about 4 inches. 🧐
Thanks for catching that! We just updated the article.
Back in my old alarm tech. days here in the Southwest where the cooling days with swamp coolers demand windows open to let the air out. We used to install the switches on sliding glass windows that had two magnets for the small space for the venting position. When I did my parent’s new house, I wired it up to be able to have the sliding glass door open with the door’s screens closed. The only place I did the extra work and was smart enough to accept my instructions. On something else, we installers did not put the keypads where they were able to see through the window from outside.
This was a very useful set of guidelines on Burglary. Thank you.
We’re glad it was helpful. Thank you for reading Extra Mile!
Thank you. Helpful information.
You’re welcome, Shirley!
You left one precaution out. A dowel to keep your sliding glass doors is not enough as it is easy to simply lift the door out of the track. You need to also place a couple of screws into the top of the track with just enough headroom for the doors to slide by but not allowing the door to be lifted off the track.
That’s a great tip! Thanks for sharing!
We are most glad to learn of all this information. Lots of it we have, but its always good to be fully informed.
We’re glad you found the information useful! Thanks for commenting.
This is really good info. We already have an alarm, but the other info serves as a good reminder to double check windows and doors to be locked even when we are home. Today, I will change out our deadbolts and use a strike plate with a Box with 3″ screws. Also, I am going to add the window stops about 3″ instead of 4″ to keep a burglar’s arm from getting inside the window opening. We were not aware of the ‘Blanket Coverage’ availability.
Yes, please notify me when you have useful ideas like this information about preventing burglaries, and about being vigilant as to would-be robbers knocking on our doors.
Thanks.
We’re glad you found the information useful. You can get updates on our articles by subscribing to our newsletter. The link is on our home page here: https://extramile.thehartford.com/
Thanks for the comment!
I have ADT protection.
I have ADT pertection, but thank you for the information
Thank you.
You’re welcome, Barbara!
Thank you! That was very beneficial. I appreciate you!
I like all of your ideas but let’s add on some spots in homes that would blind thieves so much that they would be seeing spots for hours bumping into each other and can’t even drive straight.
Thanks for the advice.
You can installing security bars is simple but optimal. It helps prevent any potential burglar from attempting to kick your door and get inside. Moreover, there are even security bar options with alarms for better security.
I heard of a couple who decided to take a holiday for three weeks. They had a vicious Doberman guard dog, and they asked their neighbour to feed and give water to their dog while they were away. They had a doggie door so that their dog could sleep inside.
The neighbour lowered food and water for the dog over the fence each day because she was too scared to go into their yard.
When the dog owners came home, their neighbour told them that she’d been lowering food and water over the fence each day, but she hadn’t seen the Doberman for three days, and her neighbour said that when they came home, and entered the kitchen, there was an intruder sitting on top of their refrigerator, and the Doberman was sitting on guard in front of it.
Omg, I’m cracking up right now after reading your Doberman story!😂😂😂 Not only does it show how loyal and awesome dogs are, a piece of scum got what he deserves and hopefully a nice prison term followed his terrifying three days of being positive he was going to die a horrific death at the hands (oops, PAWS) of Fido…😉
Fabulous..such good service.” Thank you… I have never had such good service.
I recently installed a car electronic security which is very helpful, if someone is even close to the garage or tries breaking in, it notifies me immediately. I’d recommend.
All these tips and pointers are all fine and dandy, except in my case, it’s my next door neighbor who is invading my space. They’ve trespassed and peep in late at night, and they’re also hacking into my system via security cam. I’ve contacted our local police dept requesting they patrol our area in hopes they catch them (husband and wife) prowling around my property. I’ve also notified their landlord about my issue with them (I did not mention to him that they’ve invaded my property) and for a fleeting moment it was calm… But now they’re recruiting other neighbors to harass me and my husband. All we ever wanted was peace and quiet.
Outstanding security review.. I have common sense and awareness but need more for validation. Thank you
Thanks for sharing this blog, I really appreciate your efforts put into this blog. It is very informative and knowledgeable.
I’m grateful for your tips on how to protect our family home from burglary. I found it interesting when you said to be mindful of what we post on social media, especially vacation photos and ones where the layout of the house can be easily seen because this has never occurred to me until I read your article. I keep on seeing a lot of news about break-ins recently, and I am afraid of it happening to us.
I like what you said about a lot of locks not being strong enough to prevent break-ins. Because of that, I think that it would be very beneficial to invest in high-quality locks from a reputable locksmith that will be durable enough to withstand a burglary. I really appreciate all of your tips to keep your house safe from a burglar.
TO John Davidson | November 16, 2017 at 5:02 pm:
I recommend Night Owl cameras with the built in spotlight! They work great, and it also has Human Detection on the cameras, I had a theif ALMOST, just ALMOST break into my home, when the spotlight came on when the theif waked infront of the cameras, I set the siren off, and he ran!!
I know a thing about burglars most people don’t know. So, if you have any devices that need a password or something like that, than start recording if you are afraid. (Preferably use the voice memo app) record. Turn it off and the burglar can’t do anything with your actual IPad because it’s locked!
Thank you so much for providing tips on how to install a home security system effectively. We’ve moved into a larger house recently, and with the sheer size of it, it makes it difficult to keep tabs on all the areas. With how scary it can be for a family like mine to live here since we have so many expensive gadgets, I’ll keep your tips in mind when I find a security system contractor that can get us some monitoring equipment and alarms.
Be careful with timers! If your lights turn on and off right at dawn/dusk, or at set times every night and day, casing is a cinch. Might deter some, but anyone watching 3 nights in a row will figure out your “trick”. If you use timers, vary them. Slightly randomized. Nothing she go on/off the same exact moment in the same exact rooms every day. That’s just lazy.
Thank you for explaining how thieves are less likely to break into a home that has security equipment installed. My wife and I have been noticing that someone has been trying to open our front door when we are getting ready for bed each night, and we’d like to find a way to prevent trespassers while we’re on a business trip next weekend. Maybe we should find a camera that we can install near our home’s front entrance.
Also be careful when having appliances and furniture home delivered. I had brought a couch and one of the delivery men that arrived was casing out the joint and asking questions. I could see he was looking everywhere at what I had and where all the doors were, he made me feel really uncomfortable. I’m a single woman living alone, I told him my “fake husband” would be home anytime soon.
It’s a great source of knowledge; I think it will be helpful for lot of people who are looking for burglary prevention tips. Thank you very much for sharing this article, this is really helpful for me, thanks again!
Thanks for reminding me that not all the locks we have in our house aren’t strong enough to keep the burglars away from our property. A friend of mine had been robbed last week and since our kids are left by themselves until late in the afternoon, I don’t want the same to happen to us. It might be a good idea to hire an expert in residential locks to see if some of the access points need repair or replacement in our house.
I appreciate that this post mentioned that a security door is important in adding an extra and protective layer for our home. The other day my brother was contemplating having a security door installed for his house since he is often traveling. I will advise him to proceed.
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If you are going to gone for a couple of days pull the plug on the garage door opener and put outdoor lights on a timer.
Have the post office hold your mail too.
no begalers or you are in jail and we will find you begalers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I found a thick piece of wire in the inside door facing where the door latch goes in. I believe it was put there by someone. Help
Get to know your neighbors. You don’t have to be friends and socialize. But foster a good enough relationship that you can look out for one another and ask each other to call if something doesn’t look right.
Also, stop your newspapers if your going to be gone even ONE day.
Leave a BIG DOG bowl, food and water dish by the front and or back door, even if you don’t have a dog.
Single females can leave men’s work boots by the door too. .. grab a cheap pair at Goodwill.
I think we may be related! 🙂
For YEARS I have put a huge dog dish and chain outside, and buy the biggest pair of men’s shoes I can find at Goodwill to place at the door.
I am blessed with great neighbors. As a single woman and if I have furniture or appliances delivered, or repair work done, I borrow a “neighborhood husband” or invite a couple to pose as my roommates. Great for safety and socialization!
Thanks a ton for this particular piece of writing. I will talk about it with people I know.
Most what i read online is trash and copy paste but i think you offer something different. Keep it like this.
Thanks for the heads up on how burglars tend to break into more houses during a period of pleasant weather and when everyone inside goes on a trip because of it. Since you suggested having a camera with an alarm system sticker attached can help deter them from doing so, my suggestion is to ask a local service to do it right after moving in. With their help, a person can feel reassured whether they are or aren’t home to know that they can come back to it in one piece.
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A barking dog may or may not be a deterrent to a thief that cases your home. If you have a dog, in or out, that barks incessantly at nothing, at-home neighbors probably won’t even check to see if anything is amiss. They will probably just think “that #!#!?! dog”! I know, one of my neighbors has that dog!
Sliding glass doors are an easy target for an experienced thief, and most patio doors can be lifted off the track and removed. I purchased a device at Home Depot (maybe Lowes) that attaches to the door frame and the door itself. It’s called Lockit! Simple to install and cost $29 on-line. Prevents the door from being removed from the track.
Thanks for the great tips for making our home safer. One thing that we can do is put in stronger, high-quality locks, like you said. That seems like it’d be relatively easy and cheap, which is what we want.
A small dog that barks a lot is disliked more by burglars! I worked for a cleaning service once where we went into homes when the owners were at work. The big dogs almost never barked at us and were very friendly. But the little dogs were a different story! They barked their head off even if they were in a crate and there was no calming them down!
Comment on the sliding door I change the glass to plexi it was costly but will worth it when the came back the second time the could not get in
I do have an alarm system, and I use it, even when I’m home, but someone still tried to kick in the back door (which leads to my garage and does have a deadbolt and an alarm sensor on it). To do that they had to get through a security screen door, with its own deadbolt. They tripped my alarm immediately when they kicked the inner door and ran! (I had to repair my back screen door and replace the deadbolt on the inner door (the 3″ bolts saved the jamb), but that is cheaper than replacing anything else.)
The Seattle Police Department recommends against monitored alarm systems – 90% of the calls are false alarms and the response time is long enough that the thief is in and out/long gone before the cops show up.
Some years ago a girlfriend had a fancy (and expensive) alarm system; the alarm monitoring service called me no several occasions -‘go see what’s going on’. Once I was painting the bathroom but they insisted that I go over and investigate. Worthless.
Video systems are better, as you can actually see what is going on –
Make sure to bring your garbage cans in. I always try to take our neighbors in when they aren’t home. If they’re out all day most likely your not home.
My two German shepherds are always in the house when I’m not, and they truly don’t like anyone but me. Have no doubt they would be a “deterrent”
Burglars will break your sliding glass door and walk right in like they live there, it happened to me.
So even if there is an alarm on that door it want go off because the door needs to slide to trigger the
Alarm. Make sure there is a motion detector at different entry points of your home. Even if your house is
Small make sure your home is protected with more than one motion sensor.
We would like to use our slider door as a lockable point of entry and exit. However, locksmiths have informed me that there is no good keyed lock system for sliders. Any suggestions regarding the feasibility of such a system?
Great tips, Thanks.
We have a Labrador retriever who notifies us if anyone is on or near the property. We also have a neighborhood watch, and they reliably check out anything unusual. Every door has a dead bolt and the double pane windows lock. The garage door is electric. The best defense? A barking dog.
Thanks for the helpful information.
Many people responding to this article have ideas that are OK. Some even are paranoid like Bruce with all those cameras. That number of cams should only be necessary in a large commercial location. Usually 3-4 high quality cameras fed to a DVR or NVR is all that is needed. At some time the burglars will pass in front of one of the cameras.
They will be caught on the HDD of the DVR that is hopefully hidden some place in the home that is not very accessible.
As for a security system, make sure that the siren is very annoying to the intruder. That will make them leave quicker.
The only delay should be at the main entry point to the home and that should be no longer than 15 seconds. All other zones should be instant alarm if broken first. Signs and decals do not always deter but make burglars think twice and go to the neighbors house who has no decals. Police response time is usually very slow in large urban centres so you cannot count on them to catch the bad guys. S
A couple of suggestions, that may be helpful. Rather than leave a music radio station on when not home, I put on an all News / Talk station, a Sports Talk station, or NPR. This way it sounds more like a TV than a radio. No one leaves their TV on when not home, but yes folks will leave a radio on. So, I want them to hear the talking, not clearly enough to hear what’s being said, but to hear it enough to know it is there, which is more likely on a TV program, whereas music is a give away that it is a radio and the homeowners may not be home. Again creating the allusion that someone is there, so that they go look elsewhere for break in.
Another thing folks do that helps the bad guys to “window shop” so they know which house to visit later, is when the homeowner leaves the blinds and curtains open at night with the lights on. Don’t believe me, do an experiment, go outside your home, leaving the blinds / curtains up with some lights on, you’ll be able to see clearly inside, even the second floor. At night, you can’t see out as easily as you can see inside. During the day, you can’t see in as easily as you can see out. So at dusk, close those blinds, curtains, and the front door that’s behind your storm door.
Speaking of your front door, most have some small windows near the top to allow light in. They also allow tall folks to look in. So at a hobby store, get a spray can of a permanent frosting spray you can spray on those windows. This allows light in and from the outside, you can see there’s light on the inside, without being able to see inside, even if you’re tall enough to look or have a step stool.
This information is all very informative to homeowners and I thank you for the reminders during this time especially holiday season.Thank you very much!
Thank you Hartford! Good looking out people! Tis the Season. Be careful and watchful.
We have a mini snauser with a very convincing growel and bark, we live in a small town.never had any problems.
Good info, I always worry about the patio slider, use the stick but go in and out a lot and the stick gets to be a pain. The pencil or stick sounded good so cut a 12″ length of 1/4″ dowel, stuck it inside the casing above the slider door with double face carpet tape. Easy, cheap and right there to remove if need to lift the door out for repair some day. Could also use a couple of 3″ wood screws, go through the casing slot above the door and into the header, leaving a 1/4″ of screw head sticking down. Again, easy to remove if needed
PLEASE – if you plan on installing bars on your windows and doors – PLEASE – there are systems that have an automatic mechanical release from the inside – just in case of fire or you need to get out of the house if a bad guy gets in! PLEASE – check with your local fire department or your security firm and get these – your personal safety is so important!
Dogs. Why are they not mentioned? I have read many reports of interviews with felons/burglars that say they would skip a house with a large dog. Particularly a guard dog breed. 2 of my homes had B&E attempts, and both times my dog scared them off. One early in the morning when my wife was in the shower and I at work , one in the middle of the night while we were home. It’s Ironic that some insurance Companies want to charge a premium for dogs, when according to records and common sense they are very effective at avoiding break ins. They detect, give alarm, and will give their life to protect their family! Force multiplier.
First: (Sliding Glass Doors) I have installed several heavy screws in the upper tracks so that the doors cannot be pried up out of their tracks. The screw heads are high enough for the doors to move easily.
Second: (Video Cameras) I have my cameras and WiFi router powered by a UPS battery backup that keeps them working for nearly an hour if the power goes out.
Third: (Doors and Lighting) Using multiple light timers that mimic my daily routines AND all doors are locked, even dead bolted, when not in use. Outside entry lights always remain on… turning entry lights on only when away from home can be a dead giveaway that you’re not home.
Lastly, Having an 80# German Shepherd doesn’t hurt either!
Two things:
1. Where we live the local sheriff has a “home watch” program. We send them the dates of when we’ll be away and answer a few questions on a form, like backup contact person, etc. Then the sheriff comes by at random times when we’re away and walks the entire property checking all doors and windows. We don’t have a dog, if we did then they would only do the front yard. Very effective.
2. You can put a hold on your mail with the post office, they have a form on the USPS website. You tell them when you want to stop and then start mail delivery. We also coordinate with a neighbor to pick up the free newspapers and recycle them. He watches our house and we watch his when away.
As for sliding glass doors, yes, putting a dowel in the track stops the door from sliding, PLUS putting
a smaller diameter dowel or even a pencil at the top of the frame, just above the actual sliding door
between the track frame on top and the sliding glass itself prevents the ability to lift windows out of
their frames. Most newer homes do have aluminum frames/tracks, and even your windows can be pushed upwards, and lifted out. Put a dowel or pencil on the top of the window frame, between the
glass and the track *on top*, and those windows will not lift out either, yet they’ll slide easily when
you do want to open your window.
All great advise. Especially, discard packing from new top $ purchases and STOP advertising online personal events. ie going on vaca for wkend etc. For those who get home deliveries…have packages sent to friend or neighbour to accept at time of dlvy. Use common sense !
This comment is primarily for Kathy, but any can benefit from it. Go to any WalMart, Dick’s, Dunham’s or other sporting goods retailer or Amazon, purchase one or two game cameras with visible flash features. Typically they will use AA batteries and SD cards, a 16GB card can hold thousands of pictures. Research the ability to run coated 3/32” cable through the mounting tabs and you will need ferrules and someone with a crimping tool(not an electrical connector crimper, this is a special tool, I own my own as I put out lots of cameras on our properties) Other brands can have manufacturer specific security brackets available that are mountable) If you don’t cable them to a tree or fencepost and lock them down they will just steal them too. When a nighttime intruder has a flash go off in their face it sends a clear “I got you!” message and you have a copy of them in the act. You’d be shocked at the number of interlopers that come around at night.
I bought “burglar bars” for all my doors. It prevents the door from being kicked in, and they were inexpensive at Lowes. I read a burglar once commented that was the second most common way to enter a house, and it’s better to keep them out than to alert you to them already being in!
We have outdoor rolling shutters on all windows, even on the door to the garage from the house. Also have Titan security doors on front and back. This makes it very difficult for someone to break into our home.
I live on a quiet country road, where you wouldn’t think that burglaries would be a problem. But it still happens out here in the woods. A couple of my neighbors have been hit. I’ve wondered why the bad guys leave me alone. Well, I have a dog in the house that would put a severe hurting on anyone that makes the mistake of trying to enter my home. I also have a sign on my front door that reads: “WARNING, these premises protected by a United States Marine with excellent marksmanship skills and a terrible attitude.” No need for an alarm system.
OK, but now you’ve just advertised to burglars that you have at least one gun in your home, which they’ll be enthusiastic about stealing once they know you’re not at home.
In response to John Davidson, contact VIVINT Security. They are outstanding. Their number is: 1-800-216-5232, and they will be able to tell you about their product and monthly cost. Good luck!!
Ask about different companies. We are on our third. A friend that is a 911 dispatcher said not to use ADP – they have the slowest relay time. The second one we had never called us back about anything. Our alarm had quit working for over a week before they called and several other incidents. Very happy now with the one we have now. It can also be turned on miles away if needed. The costs are so close it really doesn’t make a
Difference. (We have Safe Systems)
In reply to
John Ries | November 16, 2017 at 5:25 pm
When we purchased our house 22 years ago…I had the local wrought iron company make and install decorative security grills for every door and window in the house. We have never had a problem even when we left it for months each year to go to our summer place for the season. It was well worth the money.
But what about if you have a fire? How do you get out of the house, if you are behind bars (or decorative grills)?
As a retired federal probation officer, make sure any security company you buy from or hire them to install your system does background checks on all employees. Also change the alarm code once they have gone. Too many times people have become victims from the very security company they hired. perpetrators look for all types of opportunities to steal. Sometimes working in concert with another employee. They know the codes, the lay out of the system and what valuables you own. If you don’t know ask them about background investigations.
Facebook can be your enemy, brother-in-law in hospital so his kids have to tell friends on Facebook meanwhile Mom is home alone (she’s 79). I call it living out loud, use the phone for this kind of news
How about leaving a child’s item on porch behind hedge? Say, bicycle or tricycle?
First off we have 24 cameras in and around our home that are wired to DVR’s and a router that allows us to monitor everything from anywhere in the world. Our cameras are on 3 independent systems that allow us to have some surveillance in the event of a system failure of one or two. We have a Ring doorbell at every outside entrance that records and alerts us anytime someone approaches and we can also use Live View to see video anytime. We have 18 solar powered motion activated flood lights that cover virtually every nook and cranny of our property. We have Rolling steel shutters on every door and window that we can close or open with the push of a single button and would take some serious effort and time to breach. We have secured our external phone and breaker boxes so that our security systems cannot be defeated by flipping switches or cutting wires. Our routers and camera systems are on battery backups in the event of a power failure by any cause. We have a device on our garage door that allows us to open, close, and monitor it from anywhere via an app. We also have a WiFi controlled receptacle that allows us to kill or activate power to the garage door opener remotely that keeps it from being hacked by a device that some professional burglars employ. We have a CD player on a battery backup that has a recording of large vicious dogs growling and barking that loops and can be heard outside that plays continuously the entire time we’re gone. With all of this we still don’t qualify for a discount from The Hartford because we’re not subscribed to a costly home security monitoring service. The extent that we’ve gone to may sound extreme but we have a lot of peace of mind when we jump in our motor home and take off for months at a time. Our total expenditure was less than 20 grand and a really big chunk of that was the rolling shutters which were professionally installed whereas everything else was done by the wife and me.
Right up my alley however, there is always an old saying we would use on the trading floor at the CME where I was a broker/trader. You, as an order filler are only as good as your weakest link.
In your case your tight house, is only as safe as the least honest installer or how about your least honest pool guy, palm trimmer, land scaper or even a bad apple kid.
You seem covered but always have a hidden place or back up car battery alarm NO ONE knows about. Joe
We were sitting at a table near a table where a lady was very disturbed. She had just had her jacket stolen with her car keys in a pocket along with her garage door opener, registration and address. The keys had flashing light to find car. She was afraid to go home with good reason. Be careful.
We follow most of the article’s recommendations and we just bought a security system that we think is fantastic. It is Simplisafe. You install it yourself and it is really easy. All wireless. The company is very helpful. We have 38 sensors. We even have sensors on indoor doors, just in case they get past the outdoor doors. We also have glass breaker alarms and motion sensors. Some rooms are triple protected. Probably overkill, but eh? No contracts. We got our system for less than $1000. Great app for your phone. Costs $25 per month for monitoring (you don’t need to, though) and when I reported its installation at the local town and to the sheriff’s office they told me that I had made a good choice. We tripped it by accident once and the police called to see if we were ok in less than 1 minute. We have stickers on every window and also a big sign in the front and back. We also have two 80dB sirens and when they go off, they can scare you. Obviously, there is a test mode, to test this all out without contacting the police. I hope it will never be needed. And best of all, The Hartford reduced our insurance premiums because we have this.
I heard a burglar speak, who had just been released from prison, a few years ago. He said the best deterrent for a burglar is to leave that expensive stereo system or what ever playing while your away. Burglars like it quiet when they try to enter your home.
Way too often, people announce their upcoming trips or vacations on Facebook and other social media. Even if you have your account configured for privacy, your “friends” often do not, so your absence may be announced to essentially the general public.
When we purchased our house 22 years ago…I had the local wrought iron company make and install decorative security grills for every door and window in the house. We have never had a problem even when we left it for months each year to go to our summer place for the season. It was well worth the money.
Does anyone recommend any particular security company? What is the cost?
I have discovered that thieves often follow the UPS truck around residential neighborhoods, and snatch the packages off of the porch, if no one is at home, as soon as the truck drives away!
If you are gone from home all day, and happen to have a friendly neighbor who is at home all day , have your packages delivered to that person’s address, and then they can text you to let you know you have a package.
Very good thoughts on this subject. I will try everything. Thank you Hartford
I have both dogs and an alarm system for my house and now the thief has started to break in to our detached buildings. Last week it was the garage and last night it was our gardening shed. We have him on the security camera we installed after the garage break in. My insurance company said as I’ve only had them for a year, that if I turned in a claim they would drop me (it’s not Hartford). If anyone has any ideas besides locks and hasps which we have and had cut to stop a thief, please share.
I have 2 Greyhounds and 2 standard Poodles. When any outside sound reaches them the barking that arises would deter any potential burglar not totally out of his mind. That plus a whole house alarm system from ADT
very helpful information and I will be sure to pass it on .
Hi Maria, we’re glad you found the information helpful.
I agree with leaving a key with a neighbor, however, what my neighbor and I did was to put the key in a safe place outside and if a burglar finds the key it won’t work, because we have their key hid and they have our key hid. Also, if you are going out of town give a copy of your itinerary to your neighbor. We also take care of each other’s dogs when we are away and feed the dogs at different times so that no one can predict the comings and goings at our houses.
Patricia, thank you so much for sharing your well thought out ideas!
Don’t put addresses on keys.
Burglars can enter sliding door with a wood stick holding it from sliding!
All they need to do is lift the door and pull it out! Was told this at a neighborhood watch meeting by a police officer.
There is a lock which glued onto the inside, connecting to both sliders, and is key locked.
The doors can not be lifted with this in place.
Don’t let a locksmith charge you $50 per lock to install! You can do it yourself with glass glue (excellent bond on a clean surface)! Both lock and glue can be purchased at a Big Box Store. Stay safe!
#3 questionable. Most burglars are opportunists that look for signs of absentiasm. I started a central station burglar and fire alarm company in CA after 10 years as a peace officer. Retired after 25 years. Casing the target draws attention in a residential neighborhood… and raises suspicion.