In 2008, homeowners lost around $4.8 billion dollars as a result of property theft. If you’ve been the victim of a burglary, you are already familiar with the fact that is extremely unlikely that your stolen goods will ever be returned. Protecting the security of your home is essential – not only for the safety of your belongings, but for the safety of your family. There are many important security measures that you can take in order to increase the security of your home. This includes purchasing sturdy strike plates for your doors, deadbolt locks, a monitored security system and motion-activated security lights. However, it’s also important that you are aware of the “burglar mindset” that may lead a criminal to break in to your home. Here are a few tips to help you to “think like a burglar”.
Evaluate Your Target
Stand out near the road, and look towards your house. Are the windows well-lit? Is your car easily visible in the driveway? Are there concealing bushes that could provide cover? Some opportunistic burglars will decide instantly if they will attempt to target a specific house.
Check the Windows
In general, doors and windows represent the most common methods of entry for many burglars. Take a quick walk around your house, looking at each window. If it helps, pretend that you’ve locked your keys inside, and need to enter your home. Can the screens be pried off? Are all of the window locks visible? Do the bushes underneath the window allow you to be concealed while opening the window?
Consider Second-Floor Entry
Though a majority of burglars enter on the first floor, they may use a second-floor entry point if it is easily accessible. Check around your house for any dense brush, trees or nearby structures (such as a shed or garage) that may give a burglar the ability to access your home.
Are You Concealed?
Many burglars only commit a crime when they are at a low risk for being caught. This may mean entering a home that isn’t well-lit, or having a method of entry that will go unnoticed. When you walk across the yard, do your security lights turn on? Is it possible to reach the back of your house while evading security lights?
Check for Deterrents
There are two main visual deterrents that may convince a potential burglar to avoid your home. The first is a yard sign for a reputable monitored home security system. However, some burglars may experimentally write or put a sticker on your yard sign, and wait to see if you replace the sign. If you do, chances are that your security system is up-to-date. The second main visual deterrent is an aggressive, barking dog. If you don’t have a guard dog, you can sometimes still imitate this deterrent with a motion-activated “barking” front door alarm, or by purchasing dog toys to place around your yard.
To Catch a Thief – The Psychology of a Criminal
This interesting video includes a lecture by David Mutton, former Chief Psychologist for the New South Wales Police on the psychological mindset of most criminals.
Related posts:
- Are Burglar Deterrent Audio CD’s Effective?
It’s a well-known fact that burglars operate primarily on the premise that they won’t be discovered. In fact, over 80% of burglars state that the...
- 5 Methods to Burglar Proof Your Home
Burglar Proof Your Home Method #1 – Secure your Doors and Windows The easiest method that you can use to burglar proof your home is...
