How can I make my house less attractive to burglars?

5 Ways to Make Your Home Less Attractive to Burglars—so They Pass You by
  1. Get a fence. Burglars want to get in and out of a home within a few minutes. ...
  2. Leave the dog outside. If you have a dog, get a “Beware of Dog” sign and display it clearly. ...
  3. Trim bushes and shrubs. ...
  4. Light walkways. ...
  5. Put away your ladder.
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What makes your house a target for burglars?

As for what burglars want to see when checking a house, they look for a property that has easy access to enter and exit without being seen. Here are some of the other things they look for: Unlocked windows and doors, open windows, doggy doors, and open garages are all signs a home may be easy to enter.
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What month do most burglaries occur?

More burglaries occur in the summer months than in the winter months. In what season do burglaries most often occur? A study completed by the Bureau of Justice Statistics showed a spike in burglary during summer months in a study from 1993-2010 with the exception of three years during that period.
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How do you scare burglars away?

Get More Tips
  1. Don't advertise big buys. An empty computer or television carton left on the curb is a flag to crooks. ...
  2. Ask for a reference. Before hiring anyone, get personal recommendations. ...
  3. Keep your mail out of reach. ...
  4. Stay well-trimmed. ...
  5. Get a virtual pet. ...
  6. Call the police. ...
  7. Know your neighbors.
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Which houses do burglars avoid?

7 & 8) Two Story Homes & Apartments on High Floors

They usually stick to jewelry and cash, items that they can easily carry. For this reason, burglars usually avoid two story homes, since these items will more than likely be upstairs in the master bedroom and burglars like to minimize the time they stay in a home.
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Tips to Make Your House Less Attractive to Burglars : Home Safety Tips



What are burglars most afraid of?

With that in mind, let's take a look at the top ten burglar deterrents to use in 2021:
  • Smart Video Doorbell Cameras. ...
  • Dogs. ...
  • Security Gates. ...
  • Keeping Open Spaces Around Your Home. ...
  • An Alarm System. ...
  • Get Friendly With Your Neighbors. ...
  • Smart Locks. ...
  • Secure Your Garage.
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Why do burglars avoid corner homes?

Any house that's secluded may also be a target. Corner homes are iffy. They allow thieves to scope the area (including your habits) easily by simply driving by and naturally slowing or stopping for a turn. Depending on your neighborhood's layout, they may also be less visible to neighbors and police.
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Do indoor lights deter burglars?

Felson says indoor lights can deter burglars from breaking in, but they often break in anyway after knocking on the door to see if anyone answers. Outdoor security lighting is effective if there are people — neighbors, pedestrians or police — to actually see suspicious activity.
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Should I leave front porch light on at night?

When you're home at night. This is a good time to leave the porch light on. It alerts burglars to your presence, particularly if indoor lights are on too. The porch light also acts as a spotlight on the front door.
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What do pink porch lights mean?

Pink porch lights are generally associated with Breast Cancer. You will typically see more of them in October which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. As part of the Let Your Light Shine! campaign, people can purchase pink light bulbs with the proceeds being donated to the foundation.
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Should I leave a light on when I go away?

Another simple tip for deterring property damage and theft while your home is unoccupied is to use lighting to make it appear as if someone is home. For example, leaving a light on in your living room or hallway along with keeping a porch light on can help deter criminals.
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How do criminals mark houses?

Not only is having a bunch of flyers or stickers stuck in your door a nuisance, it can also serve as a way for burglars to mark your home. Many burglars will stick flyers or stickers on homes that they think are unoccupied to serve as an indicator for their accomplices that the home is unguarded.
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Do ring doorbells deter burglars?

While about a quarter of the law enforcement agencies NBC spoke to said they believed the cameras, discreetly fitted inside internet-connected doorbells, deterred crime, none had data to link the overall drop in property crimes to their deal with Ring.
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How can you tell if someone is casing 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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Will a burglar break a window?

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.
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What is the best deterrent for thieves?

10 Burglar Deterrents That Work
  • Install a Burglar Alarm System. ...
  • Motion-Activated Outdoor Lighting. ...
  • Get a Guard Dog. ...
  • Maintain Surrounding Landscape. ...
  • Multiple Door Locks. ...
  • Install a CCTV Surveillance System. ...
  • Internal Timer-Operated Lighting. ...
  • Double Glazing Security Glass.
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Why do burglars poop in houses?

The truth is that pooping at the scene of the crime does not always seem like a personal statement or message, but perhaps a sign of heightened excitement.
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Do security stickers deter burglars?

Although their accompanying alarms and cameras can deter thieves, you may wonder if simply adding security system signs to your yard could do the trick. As it turns out, security system signs can deter burglars, but fake signs can put you in some legal hot water.
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Can dogs sense burglars?

Dogs are able to identify, with ease, the scent of someone they recognize over the someone they have yet to meet. Even before an individual walks through the door, dogs have been alerted to who it is using their senses of smell and hearing.
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Do security cameras attract burglars?

The most effective deterrents for home burglaries and car theft were CCTV cameras, the panel said. They also named loud barking dogs, strong heavy doors, a TV being switched on and locked UPVC windows as the next most likely to put them off breaking into a home.
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Do burglars return to the same house?

It is scary enough to experience one home intrusion. Multiple break-ins are even more frightening. Unfortunately, after one “successful” burglary, intruders are likely to come back and target the same home again.
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Where do burglars look first?

Burglars said families should avoid hiding valuables in living room drawers and dressers, pots and pans and locked safes that are not secured to the floor or wall - as these are the places thieves search first.
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What to do if you think someone is watching your house?

What to Do When Your House is Being Cased
  1. Keep a record or note of suspicious activities such as times of the events, makes of possible vehicle, the appearance of the people in question.
  2. Notify neighbors about suspicious activities.
  3. Inform local police if necessary and requires extra patrolling on the areas.
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What does a purple light on a porch mean?

What Does a Purple Porch Light Mean? If you ever see a purple porch light, it's there to bring awareness to incidents of domestic violence. It can go undetected for far too long, especially if the victim feels they cannot leave due to a dangerous response from the attacker.
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How do you make your house look lived in when you are away?

5 Ways to Make Your Home Look Occupied During Weekend Trips
  1. Use timed lighting. I think most of us would agree that a good security measure you can take is to set your lights with a timer, so they switch on when night falls. ...
  2. Have friends help. ...
  3. Ramp up security. ...
  4. Maintain a driveway presence. ...
  5. Make it look occupied.
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