Do burglars prefer light or dark?

While you may not have much control over street lighting, the more light your neighborhood has at night, the more obstacles for a potential burglar.
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Does leaving lights on prevent burglars?

No, leaving lights on can make intruders think that you're not home. Use a motion sensor light that turns on when you, or anyone else, comes near so you have light only when you need it.
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Do burglars break in with lights on?

A study by the Office for National Statistics also found that 60% of burglaries take place during the day. More often than not, your constant night-time lights won't make a difference to whether or not you're burgled.
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What is the biggest deterrent to burglars?

With that in mind, let's take a look at the top ten burglar deterrents to use in 2021:
  1. Home Security Cameras. ...
  2. Outdoor Lighting. ...
  3. Smart Video Doorbell Cameras. ...
  4. Dogs. ...
  5. Security Gates. ...
  6. Keeping Open Spaces Around Your Home. ...
  7. An Alarm System. ...
  8. Get Friendly With Your Neighbors.
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What makes a house attractive to burglars?

Outdated window and door frames, as well as sliding glass doors or cheap wooden doors. Packages or mail stacking up on a porch or even recycling left out before collection could indicate you have recently gone out of town. Homes without a security system are three times more likely to be burglarized [3].
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15+ Unusual Tricks to Make Burglars Stay Away from Your House



What houses do burglars avoid?

How burglars choose a mark
  • Nobody is home.
  • Wealthier neighborhoods.
  • A tall fence.
  • Homes in the middle of the block, as opposed to corner lots.
  • Overgrown shrubs and trees that conceal doors or windows.
  • Expensive cars.
  • The absence of a security system, especially security cameras.
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What will scare burglars away?

“Put bars on your windows and doors, get an alarm, keep an extra car in the driveway, keep lights, TVs and radios on when you leave your home,” read one questionnaire. “Home alarm, know your neighbor so they can report suspicious people around the neighborhood,” said a burglar.
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Where do burglars not look?

Your attic is not likely to be visited by a burglar because they are usually hard to find and access. So, it is always a good idea to store valuables in attic storage containers. As an extra safety precaution make sure to mark them with labels like “winter clothes” or “old shoes” to throw a burglar off of your scent.
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What rooms do burglars target?

If they can identify the primary bedroom, it will be their first target. This is because we often keep our valuables, from jewelry and passports to nest eggs of cash, in our master bedroom. The next most often checked room for burglars is a home office.
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What time do most home invasions occur?

The most common times for break-ins occur between 10 am and 3 pm. Rather than being guarded by night, most burglars choose the daytime to attempt a break-in, targeting homes when they believe no one will be present.
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Where do most burglars enter the home?

These are the most common points of entry for home break-ins:
  • Front door: 34% of burglars twist the doorknob and walk right in.
  • First-floor windows: 23% use a first-floor open window to break into your home.
  • Back door: 22% come in through the back door.
  • Garage doors: 9% gain entrance through the garage.
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What signs do burglars leave?

As well as burglar chalk signs, burglars mark houses with almost anything they can; it may be a small blob of paint or a piece of string tied around a lamppost! "White and blue spray paint markings outside the house are the most common colours used by burglars.
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Where do burglars go first?

The main bedroom is known as the most common place for valuables to be kept, which is why it's often the first port of call for the burglar on the lookout for cash. They'll look for cash in cupboards, drawers, under the mattress and also in those places you thought they'd never look, like shoe boxes or vases.
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What time do most break-ins happen at night?

Contrary to popular belief, most burglaries do not occur at night at all. Instead, 65% of burglaries occur between 6am and 6pm. Most burglars do not want to risk encountering someone so they will try your home when you're most likely to be at work. The most common hours for a burglary to occur are between 10am-3pm.
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Should I keep my front porch light on at night?

When You're Home at Night. If you're home alone at night, it's a good idea to leave some light on your porch. Having a light on will alert others that you are home, and this will most likely deter any potential burglars.
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What do most burglars take?

Jewellery, consumer electronics like phones, tablets and laptops as well as portable hardware tools and equipment all rank highly as stolen goods claimed under insurance[1]. A distressing trend is the increase in burglars targeting homes to steal car keys.
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How do you tell if a burglar is watching your house?

Signs a Burglar is Watching Your House
  1. Strange Cars Parked in Your Neighborhood. ...
  2. Strangers Walking Down Your Street. ...
  3. People Pretending to Conduct a Survey. ...
  4. People Pretending to Sell You Something. ...
  5. Strangers With an Emergency or in Need of Help. ...
  6. Strangers Taking Pictures of Your Home. ...
  7. Random Flyers Showing Up on Your Door.
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How do you tell if your house is being cased?

Common Signs Your House Is Being Cased
  1. Sign #1: Parked but Occupied Vehicles. ...
  2. Sign #2: A Knock on the Door. ...
  3. Sign #3: Binoculars and Cameras. ...
  4. Sign #4: Same Faces, Different Day. ...
  5. Sign #5: Strangers in Your Yard. ...
  6. Step #1: Cameras. ...
  7. Step #2: A Home Security System. ...
  8. Step #3: Consider a Dog.
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How do burglars break in at night?

Shadowy/dark areas outside your house attract burglars

Burglars that are targeting your home in the evenings or at night will likely look to break in where they can be hidden. Shadowy areas that are concealed by trees, cars, or even other walls can entice burglars during these times, as it hides them from neighbours.
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How do you know if your house is being watched?

7 Signs Your House is Being Watched
  • Ads, Stickers, and Flyers. ...
  • Strange Markings. ...
  • Unfamiliar People and Cars on the Street. ...
  • Request for Emergency Assistance. ...
  • Unlocked Doors and Windows. ...
  • Broken Outdoor Lights. ...
  • Increased Door-to-Door Activities. ...
  • Record the observations.
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Do robbers look under beds?

Lock up personal information, valuables, and guns in a safe. Burglars look under the bed, in closets, in dresser drawers and medicine cabinets in your bathroom. Next burglars will hit up the kitchen and living room for electronics, credit cards, keys and personal information.
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Do most burglars know their victims?

*On average, household members became victims of violent crimes in about 266,560 burglaries annually. Offenders known to their victims accounted for 65% of these burglaries; strangers accounted for 28%.
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Do burglars target empty houses?

Burglars are more likely to target homes that are “routinely vacant during the day.” A serious thief may watch your home for a few days to confirm that you are gone for work before breaking in. Other burglars may just casually knock on the front door to confirm no one is home.
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Can you burglar proof your house?

If you want to protect your home from the inside out, it's wise to install a security system that uses alarms, lighting, and video surveillance with home security cameras. Pro Tip: A home security system is a great burglar deterrent, especially if it's visible or if you have a sign in your yard.
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How do I make my house impossible to break into?

Check your home for security weaknesses and correct them
  1. Install simple security devices. ...
  2. Invest in a burglar alarm. ...
  3. Invest in security cameras. ...
  4. Trade a bit of privacy for added security. ...
  5. Shine a light. ...
  6. Keep valuables out of easy sight.
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