In the United States, burglary has been on a downward trajectory for some time, though it appears to have leveled off since 2021. Yet, there are few scenarios as traumatic as a burglary for making a person feel violated.
Subsequently, the home security market has exploded, making a robber’s career more challenging. Sadly, thieves have only evolved with the times, and now they have technology to help them.
For homeowners unable to afford such deterrents, we have looked at cheaper ways homeowners can secure their property. There are multiple ways to invite burglars inside, some of which are easily fixed. What do burglars not want you to know that they know?
1. Window Breakers Love High Trees or Hedges
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“Increase visibility by trimming all bushes and hedges to 3 feet or shorter,” Julie Kim writes for Forbes. “Anything taller and you create a hiding place for criminals.”
Who doesn’t want to surround their property with a collection of trees? This one is hard to take; creating a relaxing environment around your home is desirable. Sadly, a dense oak or willow tree can provide the perfect cover for a cat burglar.
2. Gravel Will Make All Burglars Think Twice
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For obvious reasons, surrounding one’s property with a gravel driveway will make any home invader think twice. Even in deep sleep, the noise of crunchy footsteps approaching one’s house will wake many.
If anything, a large gravel driveway in itself should be a sufficient security measure: most intelligent thieves will choose an easier target. Deep Sentinel’s Winston Chen agrees, saying to “keep it crunchy.”
3. Key Bowls Are Like a Free Hit
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A Buzzfeed post went viral some time ago after revealing a burglar’s list of green flags in a residence. One wish is that people leave all their keys together in a bowl, making a quick entry and exit simple.
In short, having a bowl of keys altogether is like leaving a welcome note. All one needs is your car key for a quick, yet lucrative, escape.
4. Opening Windows for the Draft Makes Burglars Happy
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Who doesn’t have a window open in perpetuity? It is one aspect of home ownership that costs a quarter of burglary victims each year. Bathroom windows remain open for hygiene and anti-mold reasons because fresh air is a blessing.
However, a story out of Houston shows why closing your windows makes perfect sense, even if they are alarmed. Most burglars enter through a first-floor window, making it the second-most popular point of entry (POE) on your property.
5. A Man’s Best Friend is a Burglar’s Worst Enemy
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It goes without saying that a house with a dog is a happier house – maybe the word “safer” should be inserted there. Even investing in rodent-sized canines may be enough to ensure burglars avoid your house.
Mary Van Keuren and Tyler Lacoma both agree in a CNet article about whether dogs are an effective measure against organized criminals. The research-based verdict: “Large dogs pose a physical threat, and small dogs tend to be noisy.”
6. Online Vacation Photos are a Free Advert
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It is surprising how many people don’t realize their social media accounts are public. There are endless stories about homes being targeted because the owners posted snaps of their vacation.
An ex-burglar tells The New York Post how a cursory scan of local Facebook pages will yield good results. “I used Facebook to see when people would be away,” they say. “You won’t believe how many posts [there are] on social media about visiting family for a few days.”
7. Thieves Use Junk Mail to Screen Homes
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Leaflets, pamphlets, and fliers may seem an innocuous part of owning a home. We are all used to junk mail coming through our doors, but we need to stay frosty. Some burglars might deliver a leaflet only to get a closer look at the house.
Rowan Barry of the U.K. firm Barry Bros Security writes that burglars use leaflets for several reasons. They can see if anyone is home; they can inspect the security they may face, and they might use this opportunity to mark their target.
8. Spy Doorbells Cut Burglary by Half
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One added benefit of living in the smart age is the arrival of remote security apps, such as Ring doorbells. Mark Harris writes in MIT Technology Review about a former Amazon claim (Amazon absorbed Ring in 2016 for $1 billion) that Ring cameras slash crime by 55%.
It remains to be seen how true this is, though porch pirates might think twice about stealing that package if they can identify a doorbell camera. Meanwhile, TechRadar spoke to former burglar Luke Harris (no relation), who concluded that doorbell cameras shouldn’t be the only form of deterrent. Any good burglar will tell you that home security systems are the priority.
9. Toys and Jewelry Are Connected
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Jewelry is one of the most sought-after items in a theft. A SafeHome review showed that, after miscellaneous belongings, jewelry and precious metals were the most popular for burglars.
One way burglars might detect jewelry in the home is to look for evidence of female residency. Locating children’s toys in someone’s yard is a jackpot. To a wily thief, children’s toys mean a mother, which invariably leads to jewelry.
10. The Second Toys and Jewelry Connection
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To counter pesky jewelry thieves, store the most valuable items in children’s toy boxes, products, or packaging. Too many jewelry owners (including men) have a purpose-built storage unit for valuables.
Security corporation ADT shares a guide to home safety, stating that the average burglary lasts less than 10 minutes. Any parent knows negotiating their children’s chaotic bedrooms would take longer than any burglar is willing to risk. It is a simple method for parental peace of mind, not least on vacation or extended trips away.
11. It Might Be Someone You Know
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Home Security platform Reolink recently published the lowdown on burglary statistics. Its “Burglar Profile” lists several realities worth knowing about the average home invader, and one creepy fact stands out.
Startlingly, half of all burglaries are committed by someone who lives within two miles of the victim. One must beware of new introductions or even maintenance workers who knock on doors without appointments.
12. Sometimes, Stealing is Just a Vibe
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Amazingly, the majority of burglaries happen off the cuff, at least they did a decade ago. A 2013 University of North Carolina study examined burglar behavior patterns, revealing that only 12% of burglaries were planned.
Of course, a fast-improving tech advantage makes burglaries easier in the modern ’20s. Worryingly, all one needs now is Google Earth for a full, 3D map of any property in America.
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