How to Make Your Home Less Attractive to Burglars

Burglary is one of the most common types of property crime, and while it's impossible to completely eliminate the risk of a break-in, there are many proactive steps you can take to make your home less attractive to burglars. By reducing opportunities for criminals to strike, you can enhance your home's security and minimize the chances of becoming a victim. In this article, we will explore various strategies and tactics to make your home less appealing to burglars, from physical security measures to behavioral changes, all aimed at creating an environment that discourages criminal activity.

Understanding the Burglary Process

Before diving into strategies to prevent burglary, it's essential to understand how and why burglars target homes. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, burglars typically look for homes that are easy to access, with minimal signs of active surveillance or security systems. They often plan their break-ins during the day when people are at work or school, and they aim for homes with weaknesses, such as unlocked doors, open windows, or poorly lit exteriors.

The Typical Burglary

1. Target Selection: Burglars often take note of houses that appear unoccupied or poorly secured. They may observe neighborhoods for patterns, watching for signs of absence, such as lights left off for long periods or mail piling up on the doorstep.
2. Entry Point: Once the burglar has identified a potential target, they look for an easy way to enter the home. This might be through unlocked doors or windows, poorly maintained entryways, or even an open garage door. Criminals may also force entry by breaking windows or picking locks.
3. Stealing Valuables: After gaining access, burglars tend to focus on high-value items like electronics, jewelry, cash, and firearms. They often look for items that can be quickly sold or easily carried.
4. Exiting: In some cases, burglars may escape through a back or side door to avoid being spotted by neighbors or passersby. They often try to leave without causing a scene, so subtlety and speed are key to their escape.

Understanding this process is the first step in developing strategies that can disrupt it. The goal is to make your home a less appealing and more difficult target, ultimately encouraging burglars to move on to an easier option.

Improve Your Home's Exterior Security

The exterior of your home is the first line of defense against burglars. By improving the physical security of your property, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of a break-in.

a. Secure Entry Points

The most common way burglars enter homes is through doors and windows. To prevent unauthorized entry, consider reinforcing these access points.

1. Upgrade Doors: Ensure that your doors are solid and made from durable materials, such as metal or solid wood. Avoid hollow-core doors, which can be easily kicked in. Install heavy-duty deadbolt locks and reinforce the strike plate to make forced entry more difficult.
2. Reinforce Windows: Windows are another common target for burglars. Install high-quality window locks, and consider adding security bars or grilles to windows that are easy to access from the ground. Laminated or tempered glass can make breaking windows more challenging.
3. Sliding Glass Doors: Sliding glass doors are often a weak point in home security. To reinforce them, install a security bar or use a security film that prevents the glass from shattering easily. Additionally, make sure the locks on sliding doors are sturdy and functional.
4. Gates and Fences: If your property is enclosed by a fence, ensure it is tall and difficult to scale. Gates should be locked securely and made from solid materials to deter burglars from entering the yard.

b. Install Motion Sensor Lighting

A well-lit home is less attractive to burglars. Installing motion-sensor lights around the perimeter of your property can help deter criminal activity. Motion sensors will automatically turn on the lights when someone approaches, making it more difficult for burglars to work undetected.

Focus on areas such as:

• Driveways
• Front and back yards
• Pathways and walkways
• Around entry points, like doors and windows

Motion-activated lights can alert neighbors or passersby to suspicious activity and make burglars think twice before attempting to enter your property.

c. Trim Landscaping and Shrubs

Overgrown bushes, trees, and shrubs can provide hiding spots for burglars. Trim back any vegetation that obstructs views of doors and windows. Shrubs and trees should not block lights or provide cover near entry points. A well-maintained lawn and landscaped yard can eliminate places where burglars can lurk unnoticed.

d. Maintain the Appearance of Occupancy

Burglars are more likely to target homes that appear vacant or unoccupied. By maintaining the appearance of activity around your home, you can make it less likely that you'll be targeted. Here are some strategies:

• Install Timers for Lights: Use timers to automatically turn on and off your lights at regular intervals, making it seem as though someone is at home, even when you're away.
• Have a Neighbor Collect Your Mail: When you go on vacation, ask a trusted neighbor to pick up your mail and newspapers. Piles of mail or newspapers on the doorstep signal that no one is home.
• Use a Car in the Driveway: If you're going on vacation, consider leaving one of your vehicles in the driveway. Even if you're not home, a car parked outside can make your house appear occupied.

Enhance Your Home's Surveillance

Surveillance systems are a powerful tool in deterring burglars. By visibly displaying your security measures, you can send a strong message that your home is protected.

a. Install Security Cameras

Security cameras have become more affordable and easier to install in recent years. A visible security camera system can serve as an effective deterrent to burglars, who will often move on to an easier target when they spot cameras.

1. Place Cameras Strategically: Position cameras at entry points, such as front doors, back doors, windows, and the driveway. Also, make sure that the cameras cover blind spots like alleys or areas with little natural light.
2. Signage: Even if you don't have an actual security camera system in place, placing a sign or a sticker indicating that your property is under surveillance can make burglars think twice.
3. Remote Monitoring: Modern security camera systems often include remote access, so you can monitor your property in real time via smartphone apps. This feature can help you stay aware of any suspicious activity, even when you're away.

b. Home Security Systems

A professionally monitored home security system is another highly effective way to protect your home. These systems typically include motion detectors, door/window sensors, and security cameras, and they are connected to a central monitoring station that will alert authorities in case of a break-in.

1. Visible Alarm Signs: Just like security cameras, a prominently displayed alarm sign can serve as a deterrent. Make sure the sign is easily visible to anyone approaching your home.
2. Smart Technology Integration: Many home security systems now integrate with smart devices, allowing you to control locks, lights, cameras, and alarms remotely from your smartphone or computer. The ability to monitor your home from anywhere gives you peace of mind.

Adopt Smart Habits and Security Practices

Security is not just about physical measures; it's also about how you behave and manage your home. The way you present your property and the habits you adopt can have a significant impact on its security.

a. Lock Your Doors and Windows

This may seem like an obvious tip, but it's one of the most effective ways to prevent burglaries. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, a large percentage of burglaries involve the use of unlocked doors or windows. Always make sure to lock all doors and windows before leaving your home, even if you're just stepping out for a short period.

b. Don't Advertise Your Absence

While social media can be a fun way to share your experiences, it's important not to advertise when you're away from home. Posting vacation photos or check-ins can alert burglars to the fact that your home is empty. Instead, wait until you return to share your experiences online.

c. Secure Your Valuables

The more valuables you display, the more attractive your home becomes to burglars. Keep expensive items, such as electronics, jewelry, and important documents, out of sight from windows and entry points. You can also use a safe to store items like cash, important paperwork, and firearms.

d. Neighborhood Watch Programs

Getting involved in a neighborhood watch program can increase the level of security in your area. A strong community network of alert and observant neighbors can help deter criminals and ensure that suspicious activity is quickly noticed and reported.

Conclusion

Burglary is a serious crime, but there are many ways to protect your home and make it less appealing to burglars. By improving your home's exterior security, installing surveillance systems, adopting smart habits, and securing entry points, you can significantly reduce the chances of a break-in. The goal is to make your property less attractive and more difficult to access, so burglars will be more likely to move on to an easier target. Combining physical security measures with smart habits and vigilance will give you peace of mind knowing that you've done everything possible to protect your home and loved ones.

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