This is often because the burglar is a young inexperienced thief who doesn’t like to venture too far from home.
Whenever I do a Home Security workshop I get asked the same question. “What type of home makes this kind of person’s hit list?” Burglars select their target homes based on a number of prerequisites.
I’m going to tell you what burglars don’t like to see when scouting for prospective target homes. For instance they don’t like to see open sightlines. I’m referring to houses that don’t have cover. A lack of dense shrubs near windows and doors, walls, and fences. Entrances not concealed by garages, hedges or solid fences.
You’re not gaining points with the “bad guys” if you don’t live near a park or aren’t set back on a large property. And if you don’t live off a laneway or walkway, you’re not limiting neighbor visibility or providing quick escape routes for the bad guy.
Burglars love unoccupied homes. This is why thieves are likely to target a home during the daylight hours when homeowners are either at work running errands or attending school. Although most break and enters happen during the day, good bright lighting around the perimeter of your home will deter a nocturnal burglar very quickly.
Thieves will pass on your home if you have vehicles parked in your driveway. So if you don’t own a vehicle have your neighbor park their car in your driveway. And don’t be too hard on those nosey neighbors. Remember nosey neighbors offer great security.
If you have a dog, whether big or small, you most likely won’t win a popularity contest with a burglar. They hate small dogs because they make too much noise and large dogs, pose the added threat of physical harm when trying to execute a break and enter.
If you have a home with door and frame reinforcing, don’t expect a visitor from the dark side in the near future. Keep in mind it doesn’t take a burglar long to evaluate your doors and windows. Unfortunately many of us wait until it’s too late to fix broken window locks or split doors. So whether you live in a new or older home make sure you assess and secure any weak areas in your windows and doors.
If you leave windows and doors open during the hot weather, you’re just what the burglar ordered. Why not prevent an unscheduled visit this summer by making sure you don’t leave any open window or door unattended.
And the same goes for attached garages. If you have a tendency to leave your side or overhead garage door open be prepared for a sneak thief to make a fast entry and exit.
Don’t forget to keep the door between the garage and house locked as well. Keep in mind the garage and back doors are the most popular points of entry simply because they often provide the most cover.
As well rural homes are quite vulnerable. Strangers are less likely to be noticed because these homes are often more isolated from one another. Rural homes often benefit from monitored alarm systems.
Working with local police and Block Watch Programs is one of the best ways to keep you and your neighborhood safe. Residents watching out for one another, looking for suspicious activity.
Red flags like strangers walking down the street may not be a threat, but if the suspicious person keeps walking back and forth or stops to focus on a particular property, neighbors should call police and have the unidentified person identified.
Chances are good that you’ll not attract burglars if you have an alarm system. Houses with little or no security devices are classified as “burglar heaven”. So if you have good locks, strong frames, alarm systems or all of the above chances are you will be safe at home.
Listing courtesy of www.yourhomesecurity.ca
