Safety isn’t binary: it sits on a sliding scale. Though a lot of things in this world are outside of our control, the actions that we take every single day can either improve or decrease our total sense of security. And it doesn’t just work on the scale of a single individual, either—it works for entire households, too.
Reddit users have been discussing a very important topic about keeping homes safe from being broken into. And the people giving out advice on what attracts and what deters burglary? Former burglars themselves, so you know that these tips and bits of advice come from (ironically) legitimate sources. Of course, regular folks like you and I pitched in with their own advice, as did security experts whose jobs are to make sure that people's homes are as safe as can be.
Have a read about some of the things that make homes a target for burglars, how to make your home safer, and how to tell if a house is being targeted by burglars, dear Pandas. If you have any additional tips that you think everyone else simply must hear, be sure to share them with us in the comments.
#1
Don't post anything on social media until you have gotten back home. I can't tell you how many neighbors and family have gotten robbed because of this.
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212points
#2
A recent study showed that burglars come back to the same houses quite often. They do this because of a number of motives.
1: They want to take tings they, for some reason, couldn't take the first time.
2: They're kinda familiar with the house.
3: It's guaranteed that the people they robbed replaced the stuff they stole the first time, often these replacements are of better quality than the original.
So after you get raided take good security measures.
209points
#3
If a family member dies, leave someone to house sit the house the deceased lived in.
Years ago a bunch of thieves would look at the funerals section and they would go burglarize houses of the deceased, knowing full well that the whole family was away, down to the exact hour the funerals started.
Years ago a bunch of thieves would look at the funerals section and they would go burglarize houses of the deceased, knowing full well that the whole family was away, down to the exact hour the funerals started.
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192points
ADT points out that a whopping 3.7 million homes get broken into in the US each year. They suggest that you start thinking about the security of your home by getting into the mindset of someone who wants to break in. Take a walk around the exterior of your home and try to think like a burglar.
Check out some of the weaknesses that you spot. Maybe there’s a door that you always keep unlocked. Perhaps there are lots of low windows that would let a burglar get inside easier. Maybe it’s time to trim the bushes around the house so nobody can hide in them.
#4
I'm not a burglar, but I worked for the largest security company in this country for half a decade.
Burglar alarms do not deter burglars. They just alert you that you have been burglarized. Most of the time the police will take very little action in response due to the fact that 98% of burglar alarm activation constitute false alarms.
The sign that comes with the alarm though? That thing is worth more than the alarm as far as deterring burglars.
My job was to take reports from customers who had been burglarized. (see my first point above)
In all my time doing these interviews and I never interviewed one single burglary victim who owned a medium sized or large sized dog. Not one single time.
That is not to say that no one who owns a dog ever gets burglarized.
I'm just saying that in 5 years of spending 8 hours a day interviewing people who had been, not one single time did I encounter the situation.
I think there is at least SOME statistical validity in that.
TL:DR A big dog is the best burglary deterrent you can possibly have. Better than burglar alarms, signs, guns or expensive locks.
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182points
#5
One thing on Reddit I read was that having a pair of large work boots on the porch next to the door can deter burglars (unless they know you). It basically says "Someone is home right now, it its possibly a big dude who can hurt you."
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175points
#6
Listened to a KFI radio interview when I lived in Los Angeles. Former anonymous burglar said he avoided houses that hung the U.S. flag. Said it told him the occupants likely owned at least one firearm. Would avoid even if it looked as though no one was home.
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156points
What’s more, while you’re walking the perimeter, take a peek through the windows of your own home. Ideally, you wouldn’t have any high-value items visible. Something valuable that’s proudly displayed for everyone to see can invite criminals in. You don’t have to go as far as hiding all your tech in the basement, though—getting some curtains can be a simple solution.
That’s the same reason you don’t want to leave your phone, laptop, or iPad on the seat of your car. It’s also why you should think about taking your car stereo out when you park. You don’t want to tempt fate.
#7
I'm going to assume having a cop for a neighbor that parks his cruiser in the driveway facing my house is a nice burglar deterrent.
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141points
#8
When I was young and dumb I would boost rims off cars, cause you could make quick money and it was less then a felony. The number one deterrent hands down...... Lights. If a place is lit up like a Christmas tree on the outside of a house you stay clear cause it means anyone can see you and see you clearly
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139points
#9
I have to assume that the 18 steps up from street level are at least some deterrent. We don't even get Jehovah's witnesses.
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138points
Something else that you should definitely consider is keeping your yard tidy. Don’t leave your bikes, grills, and other expensive equipment lying around. Lock it all in your shed. Sure, you might have planted your roots in a secure community, but you never know who might be winding their way down the path in your quiet suburban paradise. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
Consider making your territory very well lit. It’s harder for burglars to do their nefarious deeds in the light and they’re more likely to avoid such homes. Motion sensors, security systems, even cameras are also potential weapons in your arsenal.
#10
I feel bad being another one of those "I'm not actually one but: people, but:
You know how some landscapers throw bags of rocks with a landscaping ad or business card in them?
Guess what? Some of these are just burglars taking a bunch of pamphlets from a landscaping business, throwing these in your yard. They drive by a day or two later. Whoever didn't pick them up is a much more likely candidate, especially if there was no car in the driveway either time.
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113points
#11
My neighbour got robbed because he installed a dog flap.
I.e. he put a man sized hole in his door.
We don't even live in a particularly nice area.
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110points
#12
I stuck with commercial burglary, residential burglary carried a risk of getting hit with a home invasion charge which increases your sentence if convicted (not to mention, you run the risk of getting shot by some redneck with a spring-loaded magnum under every flat surface in the house).
Anyway, I'd pick places based on the upkeep of their equipment. If the cash register was out of date, so was their camera system. If the clerk leaves the register open a crack while they're behind the counter, that means the safe is likely open in the back room.
It also helps to hit the places that hire felons (fast food joints, video stores, etc.) because the cops are gonna waste a lot of time looking into the staff members who have a criminal history. The closer they're looking at them, the better off I am.
Of course, this was ~15 years ago, things change.
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94points
#13
Don't leave empty boxes from high end electronics on the curb outside your house. People tend to do this right after the holidays. Put that in your car and throw it out somewhere else, like the local recycling center. Any burglar casing your neighborhood will see that and know without even coming near your house and looking suspicious that you just got a bunch of valuable stuff just ready to be taken.
80points
#14
I live in an area with a large homeless population, many which are drug addicts. Lots of smash and grab car burglaries. I can tell you this for certain. Theft is 99% visual meaning if you've left something valuable within view, your gonna lose it. And of value could even mean even an empty bag. Tweakers not gonna assume its empty they will take the chance but at the same time dudes not gonna smash a window then take the time to start rummaging around hoping to find something of value. Too time consuming especially after a large crash from your newly busted window.
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79points
#15
Motion sensing flood lights outside.
No big bushes in front of windows where someone could hide. Thorned bushes are always good for under windows, if you keep them close enough.
A dog is nice.
If you can't afford an alarm and security cameras, fake cameras and alarm contacts on windows can be a deterrent, hopefully. Better to just get the real thing. Remember any security footage could possibly be obtained and used against you if something goes down. If you do shady things, cameras could be a bad idea.
Dead bolt locks on all exterior doors. Keyed outside and inside if there's windows in or next to the door... but then only take the key out when nobody is home, for fire safety.
If you aren't always home at night, get a few timers for lamps inside.
Pro level:
Get a cheap tv. Like a CRT 13 inch that nobody wants. Put it in a cabinet or wall unit type thing, so you can close the door to hide it when guests come over. Put it on a timer to stay on until very late, and set a light timer in a bedroom to come on when it goes off.
Install vertical blinds on a window across from the tv. Vertical blinds are great, because you can angle them for a very limited view, so the house looks less closed up and more inhabited. Anyway, in this case, angle the blinds so you can clearly see the tv, but nothing else in the room. Set volume so you can just barely hear it outside.
This does two things: the light and sound make it seem like someone could be home. And, a thief may look in, see the old 13 incher and just be like damn this dude's stuff sucks, I'm going somewhere else.
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77points
#16
If you're moving into a newly built complex, CHANGE THE LOCKS. Just over a year ago, my housemate and his girlfriend came back to our place to find that laptops and jewellry had been nicked, and there was no sign of forced entry - also we live in South Africa, so doors are always locked.
Turns out the builders were cheap, and used the same three types of locks for the front doors. Strongly suspect that ex-employees of the company did a short term rental of a unit (three months probably) and just took notes of everyone's comings and goings. Then just wander to a unit, try one of the three keys and then casually stroll out with a laptop bag stuffed with goodies. We weren't the only unit to be hit, and the HOA only sent out a notice to be vigilant after I spoke to the niece of one of the people who were on the board.
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68points
#17
Signs painted on or near buildings/residences that are deemed to be 'easy pickings', so to speak. Also signs that act as warnings. For example, the sign for 'alarmed' looks like a W with a line drawn horizontally across the top, while a simple X could mean a good target.
This is true where I am in England, but I know not whether these symbols carry over to other countries.
*not a former burglar. I would be wealthier if I was. I would also have a cat called Dingo who would help me on my missions.
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68points
#18
Young redditors may not have heard of this thing; it's called 'radio'. Leave a talk station on when you're out. No burglar's gonna come in if he hears voices, unless it's a home invasion. Leave a light on, doesn't matter if you put a timer on it or not. Just a low level light, like it's a night light for going to the bathroom in the middle of the night. A dog is another big plus. Hard for anyone to get past a dog in the dark. They don't need to see you to bark and bite you. Have never been burglarized, ever, and I'm 67 years old. That is all.
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67points
#19
I'm not answering the question directly, but I am answering it indirectly:
The vast majority of burglaries are perpetrated by people who have been inside your home before
This is very important to realize. When you have guests over that you don't know well (maybe at a Halloween party), lock all of the doors to bedrooms, and don't have anything super valuable just laying out to show. Most of the time they won't take anything during the party, but they will come back later... with friends.
62points
#20
Not a burglar but lots happens in my area.
• People coming by who are either sketchily fundraising for something or "working for so-and-so company" when you weren't expecting anyone. They're casing your house and figuring out when you're home. They're also probably figuring out the best way in and out of your place.
• Leaving boxes of big ticket items visible in your garbage or alley.
• Depending on who/where, sometimes they'll stake out near your home or do drive-bys several times to see when you're home.
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58points