We all grew up believing that burglars only target fancy and luxurious villas. However, this is not always true. Even the quieter neighborhood can hide heartless and merciless criminals. There are many ways to protect our homes, but one may still wonder how burglars decide which homes to target.
Even though no one can know what’s on thieves’ minds, policemen and experts have provided a list of useful information that can reduce your risk of falling victim of these crimes. Following these suggestions, together with a good home security system, can make your house completely burglar-proof.
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What do burglars want?
Of course, thieves are most likely ready to steal everything that has a high value, such as jewelry, technology, piece of art. Nevertheless, some criminals may be more interested in taking your personal data and, consequently, your identity.
If you find out that someone has entered your house, but nothing seems to be missing, you should check if all your valuable documents (bank statements, pictures of you and your family or identity cards) are still in their place.
If someone steals your computer or any other device, one of the first thing you should consider is the amount of personal information that that person has just gained access to
Why burglars target specific places?
Burglars target homes that look easy to break in, as you can imagine. Before they try to enter your property, they will most likely spend days, if not weeks, analyzing your neighborhood and studying your habits.
They usually look for properties in isolated parts of the town, or that are left empty for long periods. Having an expensive car parked in your driveway may attire thieves as much as leaving your house without surveillance for long periods does.
When are burglars are most likely to strike?
As mentioned above, professional burglars will study your habit to make sure they know the time-frame within which you are not at home. On the other hand, Summer is the high season for break-ins. The majority of people take summer vacations, neighborhoods are quieter because the kids are out of school, and everyone seems to lower his or her guard.
For this reason, you must always pay attention to what you are posting on social media. You should never mention the exacts dates where you are not going to be home, especially if your profile is publicly accessible.
When you post pictures of your house, try to not reveal any easy way in, such as pet doors, unlocked windows and even garage doors.
Easy ways in that Burglars may target
Burglars will first look for any weak spot that your house may reveal. This includes pet doors, old doors and unlocked windows. If you live in a ground floor flat, you should avoid any glass front door, because they can be easily smashed.
Window-based air conditioners are also an easy way in your home. Thieves can climb through every open space. On the other hand, some of these criminals can use tools, such as crowbars or even bump keys.
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How can you make your house burglar-proof?
The best way to protect your home and your family from burglars is to install a home security system. You do not need to invest in an expensive smart home system if you don’t wish to.
Nevertheless, an alarm and a couple of security cameras can be excellent deterrents for thieves. Moreover, CCTV cameras can help you keep an eye on your home from anywhere, including when you are on holidays.
Another good idea may be to install a steel or metal security door. When you leave your place for an extended period, do not forget to lock every door and window, including your pet and garage doors. If you move to a new house, you should change the locks immediately, and check that there are no accessible places for burglars in your garden.
If you are going on vacation and you are particularly anxious about protecting your home, you may also ask a friend or family member to stop by regularly. Try not to post photos or details about your vacation until you are back.