5 Ways to Prevent Burglars from Choosing Your Home

Everyone knows the saying: “Prevention is better than cure”. When it comes to home security, this old cliché certainly rings true. Even with the best security, you can never be too complacent. It would be better if potential burglars ignored your home altogether.

Ever wondered what makes a burglar choose one home over another? I’ve done some research into the matter and found 5 great ways to prevent your home from becoming a target for criminals.

1. Thieves Prefer an Empty Home

When questioned, the majority of convicted burglars said they would prefer to avoid a confrontation if at all possible. This means, when casing a neighborhood for potential homes to rob, they will look for houses that appear to be vacant. They would prefer not to encounter the homeowner.

When you’re not at home, there are a few simple tricks you can use to make burglars think twice about choosing your house:

• Leave a television or radio on. Over 60% of convicted burglars have said they won’t enter a home if they hear a TV or radio inside the house.
• Smart lights, connected to a randomized timer, can fool potential burglars into believing that the house is occupied.
• If you’re going on vacation and won’t be home for a while, you will need to take extra precautions. Have your mail held by the post office or ask a neighbor to collect your mail. Ask people to drop by periodically, as criminals often observe homes for a while. If they see people coming and going, they are less likely to enter the property.

2. Visibility

Home security 101, keep your house visible to neighbors and the street. Burglars are less likely to choose a home if neighbors or passers-by are likely to spot them.

3. Keep Valuables Hidden from Plain Sight

Thieves prefer electronics and jewelry that are easy to sell. Naturally, they won’t be able to resist cash or credit cards. Keep these items hidden from sight. After looking through the window, and seeing the latest Plasma screen on display, a thief will be easily tempted to break in and steal it.

If you’re going on vacation, hide items like TVs and stereos where potential burglars won’t see them.

4. Secure Your Home

Over 50% of burglars enter through unlocked doors or windows. It’s basic common sense to ensure that the home is locked and secure when you leave or before going to bed at night.

5. Basic Home Security

Most convicted burglars say that visible security cameras are an effective deterrent. About 60% will choose not to enter a home with security cameras. An equal number of burglars have stated that they will leave immediately if they hear an alarm siren.

Interestingly, few burglars are deterred by security alarm signs. They seem to be aware that many homeowners place these signs outside their homes even if they don’t actually have a home security system.

In the end, your best protection from burglars is a good home security system. Not only do cameras and alarms scare thieves away, they usually include monitoring and alerts. This means that you will be notified the moment someone enters your home. Many systems will also alert the police.