Buzz
There are several ways intruders can enter your home. Understanding how these break-ins occur can help you prevent them from happening.
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- Knowing the tactics used by burglars is crucial for securing your property.
- Intruders tend to target easy opportunities. They look for signs of an empty house, such as unattended newspapers, unsecured windows and doors, and the cover of darkness or untrimmed bushes.
- Simple precautions include installing effective lighting and security systems, ensuring clear visibility around your home, and being mindful of sharing personal details online.
When we picture a burglar, we often imagine a person in a ski mask, dressed in black, sneaking around at night with a set of professional break-in tools. In reality, the typical intruder could be an ordinary-looking person in regular clothing, entering through an unlocked door or by creating a hole in a glass door with a brick.
There’s no specific time of day when your home is safe from burglary; there are no standard methods that burglars use to break in. In 2009, the U.S. Department of Justice reported over 2 million burglaries, with 61 percent of them involving forced entry. 32.6 percent of burglars found an easier way in, and the rest were thwarted attempts [source: U.S. Department of Justice].
If your home is burglarized, the financial cost is just one part of the aftermath. The emotional impact can linger much longer, and many victims never fully regain their sense of security in their own homes.
The most effective way to deal with burglars is to prevent them by using proven protective measures. Burglars are drawn to specific characteristics and situations when choosing a target. In the following sections, we’ll examine what makes your home a prime target, the methods burglars use, and the modern tools they employ to find their next victims.
10: Identify the Perfect Target
Take steps to ensure no signs are left behind indicating that you’re not at home.
iStockphoto/ThinkstockBurglars won’t waste time on targets they believe won’t offer an easy entry and exit with plenty of loot. The best targets are homes that show signs no one will return anytime soon. Examples of this include a plastic-wrapped phone book left out on a driveway all day or a note on the front door for an afternoon package delivery — these are exactly the things burglars tend to look for.
Signs that someone is home can discourage potential burglars. They can be tricked with well-placed lights and loud sounds (radios use less power than TVs, and talk shows mimic the sound of conversations inside). At night, using timers for lights, radios, or TVs can give the illusion that someone’s home, deterring burglars and enhancing safety well beyond bedtime.
Confident burglars will often peer through windows hoping to spot valuables like silverware, plasma TVs, or baseball card collections. The best approach is to move valuables out of sight and secure them by closing window coverings when you're away.
To secure your home while you're on vacation:
- Use timers for lights. Leaving lights on 24/7 sends a clear signal: "This house is empty!"
- Have trusted neighbors or friends check in daily and bring in newspapers and mail.
- Since phone numbers can easily be found with last names, names on mailboxes or packages left behind can tempt thieves to stop and call, hoping for an answer. When you're away for any extended period, like vacations or workdays, it’s best to use call forwarding so someone always picks up.
9: Stay Low-Key
Installing floodlights around your home is an effective way to deter potential burglars from attempting a break-in.
iStockphoto/ThinkstockMost burglars don’t want to cause trouble. They prefer to avoid confrontation, have little interest in being arrested, and are afraid of getting hurt. Homeowners can use these fears to their advantage by employing lights, alarms, and dogs to keep intruders at bay.
At night, the most effective defense for single-family homes is good lighting, and plenty of it. While indoor lights suggest that someone is home, bright outdoor lights discourage burglars from getting any closer. Those who are undeterred may attempt to sneak around to less visible areas, like the sides or back of the house. These areas, particularly those in secluded spots like cul-de-sacs, should be well-lit and protected with strong security measures on doors and windows. Motion-activated lights are energy-efficient and provide a sudden, startling surprise for would-be criminals.
Next, create the illusion of a threat. Lawns and window signs advertising security systems can discourage many break-in attempts. If burglars ignore these warnings, the loud sirens will often prompt them to quickly flee, potentially empty-handed.
The third line of defense (and one of the most effective) is the barking dog. Dogs tied outside in a fenced yard don't pose much threat. However, burglars may find themselves surprised by indoor dogs, adding unpredictable variables to their plans. Not keen on pets? Many homeowners use realistic fake dogs. Picture a motion sensor that triggers a bright light followed by the sound of multiple angry dogs barking loudly.
Ever wondered how burglars typically break into homes? Let's take a look at the most common point of entry.
8: Identify an Easy Opening
Warm spring days and crisp autumn air make open windows very tempting — especially for burglars. Thieves are more than willing to walk around your home, testing every door, window, and cellar opening until they find one that gives way. While first-floor windows and doors are more vulnerable, second-floor windows are also at risk when trees or furniture can be used as makeshift ladders.
Even when you're at home, always ensure doors and windows are securely closed and locked; unattended or poorly lit parts of the house are vulnerable. During dinners, when rooms like the kitchen or dining area are busy, burglars might target quiet, empty second-floor rooms. Or think of a dark second-story bedroom where someone is sleeping near a wide-open window.
Further insights into easy points of entry:
- Knob locks are easily bypassed with a credit card, while deadbolt locks provide better security. Always equip all doors with deadbolts.
- Regarding spare key storage: don’t hide them in common spots like flower pots, ledges, or bushes. Burglars know to check these places. The safest option is to give a spare key to a trusted neighbor.
- Sliding glass doors can be secured by placing heavy rods in their tracks to prevent full opening. Professionally installed security mechanisms can also make it harder to tamper with screws securing doors and frames.
- Burglars often break windows, so avoid leaving bricks and large rocks around your yard.
- Security services offer solutions like kick-resistant doors, window locks that limit opening, and break-resistant glass.
- Always inspect your home after workers leave. Even with an alarm system, workers might inadvertently leave doors or windows open, setting the stage for a future break-in.
If you must hide a spare key, here’s an idea: the key under your flower pot actually unlocks a storage shed at your neighbor's house. Inside the shed, there's a toolbox containing several random spare keys, one of which happens to unlock your home. The key under the pot is unlikely to be linked to your house, especially since it's hidden among old, seemingly useless keys. This method provides an effective, though time-consuming, way to hide a spare key without suspicion.
7: Find a Good Hiding Spot
Large shrubs near the front door offer burglars plenty of cover, allowing them to remain hidden as they plan their move.Even the brightest lights cannot fully expose burglars hiding behind tall shrubs and thick trees near a house. The dense greenery allows intruders to remain concealed while they focus on gaining access to windows or doors, all while the lights may give a false sense of security.
These lush plants also serve as perfect hiding spots for burglars. If they have figured out the family’s routine departure times, they can blend into the foliage, waiting for the sound of the car engine to fade before they proceed with their break-in.
It’s wise to keep shrubs trimmed to a height that doesn’t exceed the bottom of window sills. This limits the spaces burglars can use to hide, prompting them to look for less obvious opportunities elsewhere.
6: Wait for the Holidays
Holiday decorations, like Christmas presents placed near windows, can be a tempting invitation for burglars to break into your home.Burglars who meticulously plan their heists are especially observant during specific seasons and events. For example, before Christmas, they keep an eye on large picture windows displaying gifts beneath glimmering trees. On December 25th or 26th, they scour curbs, inspecting discarded boxes that hint at valuable items such as big-screen TVs, expensive gaming consoles, luxury store packages, and fishing equipment. To deter burglars, keep the tree visible but move the presents away from the window. Dispose of the empty boxes in a public trash can.
Summer vacations also excite burglars. However, families who take steps to make their homes appear occupied can enjoy their holidays without fear of a break-in.
Other events that pose a higher risk of burglary include:
- Homes for sale -- Lock boxes on doors signal that a house might be unoccupied. With the right tools, burglars can break in quickly. Homeowners looking to avoid this risk may request realtors either not to use lock boxes or to place them discreetly. During open houses, visitors should be restricted from wandering freely, and after the event, realtors and homeowners should check that all doors and windows are securely locked.
- Funerals and weddings -- Large family gatherings give burglars a chance to learn when a home will be unoccupied, often for hours. A good strategy is to ask neighbors to house-sit and park their cars in the driveway to create the illusion that someone is at home.
5: Innovate
Burglars posing as delivery or moving professionals can easily deceive neighbors into thinking they are legitimate workers.
Hemera/ThinkstockDetermined burglars may use deceptive tactics to gain entry to homes, enticed by the potential for high rewards. They might pose as a utility worker, cable technician, or even a police officer. Homeowners should always ask for proper identification and then verify it by calling the company or agency directly using the contact information listed on a bill (not the number the visitor provides, as they may have a friend answering the phone).
A frequent tactic is pretending to be from a delivery or moving company. This strategy works well because neighbors typically won't question the presence of a large van parked in the driveway with uniformed workers removing items from the house. To protect yourself, make sure to inform neighbors in advance if you expect any such deliveries or moves. This way, a vigilant neighbor who spots the van can immediately contact you or alert the police.
4: Be Camera-shy
Sharp burglars are always on the lookout for surveillance cameras. These criminals may feel particularly clever when they spot and disable a camera, like one mounted above a door, before it can record their identity.
Burglars who underestimate modern surveillance technology may find themselves caught off guard. Gone are the days when recorded footage was reviewed later in a control room. Today, surveillance offers homeowners a significant advantage over intruders.
Internet-connected webcams now provide not just recorded footage but also real-time monitoring. These small, discreet cameras can be placed in multiple locations, offering various angles of the same area. Even if burglars disable dummy cameras, the live-streaming webcams continue to operate. Compared to traditional alarm systems, these webcams offer the best chance to catch a burglar in the act, with a quick 911 call making help just moments away.
In mid-2009, Jeanne Thomas was working when she decided to check the webcam at home. As CNN reported, she was shocked to see intruders inside her house. She immediately alerted the police and watched as the burglars moved through her home, able to guide the dispatcher to their exact locations. The two burglars were later arrested.
3: Be Prepared
Neighborhood watch programs are a valuable resource for spotting and reporting suspicious activity, potentially preventing burglaries.While police stakeouts are well known, burglars also use the same technique. Some burglars are opportunists, picking the easiest target they can find, but others go the extra mile by spending hours observing neighborhoods. They pay close attention to details: how many people live in each house, the usual comings and goings, the cars parked in driveways, and general traffic patterns. These burglars carefully select the perfect time to strike by observing the right house for the right moment.
Vigilant neighborhoods and active neighborhood watch groups should be alert for suspicious vehicles with unfamiliar occupants that repeatedly show up in the area. If noticed, contact the police to investigate.
Burglars are also known to come prepared with a specialized tool of the trade: the bump key. Often unknown to the public, a bump key is a master key typically used by locksmiths to assist people who are locked out of their property. Some claim these keys can unlock up to 90 percent of traditional locks [source: Hundley].
The threat of bump keys is greater now than ever. Thanks to online tutorials, people can easily learn how to create bump keys. Even more concerning is that burglars can buy these keys on the internet.
Fortunately, homeowners can collaborate with locksmiths to install more secure locks that are resistant to bump keys, though they can still be opened by a professional locksmith. Electronic keypad locks have also become popular among those looking to avoid bump-key thieves.
2: Surf the 'Net
The Internet serves as an invaluable research tool — and burglars are keen users of it.
iStockphoto/ThinkstockCriminals, like any other profession, strive to stay one step ahead of law enforcement. As soon as authorities discover one of their methods, burglars quickly adopt another. Online message boards are a popular space where these criminals exchange tips and techniques. What started as a place for sharing knowledge has become an informal education forum where burglars keep up with the latest advancements in their craft.
On these online forums, burglars — both seasoned and aspiring — engage in discussions about the best ways to break into homes. They talk about how to quietly break a window, why carding (using a credit card to unlock a door) is still favored, and why some still opt for the forceful kick-in-the-door method. Even retired burglars recount their most successful heists. More alarming, these forums sometimes discuss how to manipulate people into opening their doors, paving the way for more violent crimes like robbery. Impersonating a TV host or pretending to deliver a large check are just some of the tricks they suggest to lure people out of their homes.
The takeaway: It's almost always risky to open the door to strangers.
It is challenging for homeowners to keep up with the ever-evolving methods burglars use to break into homes. However, one solution is to find a reliable security expert who is committed to staying informed on the latest burglary tactics. Homeowners can invite this expert to conduct an annual inspection of their property, providing suggestions on how to further secure vulnerable areas.
1: Embrace New Technology
Web 2.0 is reshaping the world, but unfortunately, it is also aiding burglars. Here are some ways in which burglars exploit modern technology:
By sharing personal details online, individuals unknowingly open the door to burglars. Profiles on social media often contain last names, locations (like schools or workplaces), and relationship statuses, all of which give thieves clues about the number of people in the home. For burglars willing to research, social media can provide invaluable information about when homeowners are away and for how long.
Geolocation services may be the ultimate tool for burglars. While they offer fun ways to connect with others or play games, these services can pinpoint exactly where someone is at any given time. For a burglar, this means the ability to track a homeowner’s location and time the break-in to coincide with their absence, finishing the job before the service indicates the homeowner’s return.
Websites like Zillow.com offer detailed photos of home interiors and neighborhood data, which can assist burglars in spotting valuable properties and familiarizing themselves with a home's layout. Additionally, services like Google Street View allow burglars to pinpoint vulnerable areas of a house from miles away. Social media posts further expose when homes are unoccupied. Websites like pleaserobme.com once showcased tweets and other social media updates revealing people's locations, vacations, and outings, highlighting the ease with which burglars can track potential targets.
