Top 10 Things Burglars Look for in an Easily Accessible Home
When it comes to finding the best homes to burglarize, burglars do not just select homes at random. They actually search for specific things that indicate your home is easily accessible and avoid entering homes with security measures. To prevent burglars from entering your home, it can be helpful to know some main things burglars look for in an easily accessible home:
- No home security system: A home with no security system is an automatic target for burglars, as they know there are likely no consequences for entering your home unauthorized. Therefore, you should always have a security system in place to avoid burglary.
- Open windows: Open windows make your home an easy target for burglars, because, even if you have an alarm system, it is likely disarmed if you have your windows open. Therefore, you should avoid leaving windows open, especially on the first floor.
- Unlocked doors: While this may not initially seem like a problem, many burglars enter homes through unlocked doors, especially the interior door of the garage. Regardless of whether you are home, you should keep your doors locked at all times.
- Absence of dogs: While dogs are not always an effective burglar deterrent, a barking dog is often enough to make a burglar think twice about entering your home unauthorized, as it draws attention to the burglar.
- Open garage doors: You should never leave your garage door open, even during the day, as this is one of the most popular ways a burglar enters your home. An open garage door is an automatic invitation to a burglar, as it offers plenty of cover, allowing him or her to escape unnoticed with your valuable possessions.
- Poor lighting: While lighting does not necessarily play a significant role in deterring burglars during the day, it goes a long way toward keeping them away at night, as lights draw attention to a burglar’s actions.
- Empty home: Statistics show that about 65 percent of burglaries occur during the day when homeowners are at work, as burglars work best in an empty home. While it is not always possible to prevent an empty home, you can take measures to ensure your home remains safe when you are away.
- Valuables or electronics: A burglar is much more likely to attempt unauthorized entry in your home if he or she sees valuables or electronics visible from outside your home. Therefore, you should always place heavy curtains or blinds over windows that open to rooms with valuable items.
- Lack of security system window decals: The lack of security system window decals often indicates to a burglar that you do not have a security system in place, which means he or she can enter your home easily. Therefore, you should always place these decals on your first-floor windows to indicate you have protection in place.
- Lack of security system yard signs: In addition to window decals, you should also place yard signs in your yard indicating a security company monitors your alarm system. This not only lets burglars know you have a professional alarm system, but also warns them of the consequences of being caught for breaking into your home.
Burglars usually scope out vulnerable homes before breaking into them, so it is essential that you take measures to ensure your home is not a target. For more information about ways to safeguard your home against burglars, you should contact a home security company.