While it is nearly impossible to stop a determined professional thief, it's common knowledge that most burglaries are committed by amateurs. Criminals look for weaknesses in your home that they can take advantage of and when they find those weaknesses, they capitalize on them.
So, what does a BURGLAR like?
Experience has shown that burglars like many things (mostly other people's things), but two things they really like are: An invitation, and a fast, easy, undetected entry and exit
Burglary invitations aren't broadcasted by homeowners to would-be criminals by hanging out a "Burglars Welcomed Here" sign, but certain things we do or do not do as homeowners, could invite a burglar to stop on by and give our house a try.
Do you let newspapers pile up in your driveway or does the mail overflow in your mailbox? These are just two invitations that let a burglar know that you might not be home. Other invitations you might recognize include:
- A Non-maintained yard.
- Dark or concealed hiding areas around your home at night
- Windows left open when you are away
- Notes left on exterior doors explaining where you have gone
- The spare house key on top of the door jam. (Did you think no one knew that key was there?)
- Messages on answering machines or on Social Media pages stating you are away
- An open garage door
- Sliding glass door, without auxiliary locks
- Privacy fence
- Flimsy door latches and locks
After receiving his invitation a burglar also looks for a quick, undetected entry and exit. He will choose the path of least resistance, which gives him the best chance of getting away without being caught. For this reason, many burglars work the night shift hiding under the cover of darkness. This is an opportunity to avoid being seen and we as homeowners, sometimes assist the burglar in making his escape undetected by giving him these opportunities:
- No motion sensor lights around your property
- A large shrub in front of a window
- A dark alley behind the residence
- A privacy fence around the yard
Here are some simple common sense things every homeowner can do to make a burglar pass up your home for an easier target:
• Trim back bushes and shrubs away from your windows and doors
• Put a sign in front of your home that you have an alarm, a security system or a dog even if you don't have one. This tells the bad guys that they are in for a hard time if they want to enter your home.
• Get an Alarm for your windows and doors. Passive alarms are very inexpensive nowadays and the sound of one of these piercing sirens would make even the most brazen thief run for the hills.
• Install solid exterior doors with reinforced dead bolt locks
• Install a Do it Yourself Wireless Security System. A wired security system is easy prey for most thieves to disable by just cutting the phone or power lines from outside.
• Get a Dummy Surveillance Camera. They are downright cheap and easy to install.
Home security is not just doing one thing; it's a combination of doing several things. All of these tactics will make the bad guys think twice before putting your house on their to-do list. So get yourself a home security plan and send a message to burglars that they are not welcomed at your home. It's not that expensive!
Bill Behr is the owner of The Home Security Outlet, an online store where home owners and business owners can research and securely purchase Do-it-yourself security systems and home protection products.
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