What is the most effective way to keep a burglar out of your home?

Sometimes, the simplest solution is the best one. To protect your home from burglars, the key is in the basics: Always lock your doors and windows.

Though it might seem obvious, statistics from the Federal Bureau of Investigation reveal that 27.8 percent of burglaries in the U.S. in 2006 were no-force entries. This means that in over 607,000 cases that year, thieves simply entered through unlocked doors or windows.

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In 2006, more than 2.2 million burglaries took place in the United States, leading to $4 billion in lost property. On average, victims suffered losses of over $1,800. Although the FBI includes both businesses and homes in its statistics, residential burglaries accounted for more than 66 percent of all break-ins that year. Notably, 63 percent of these residential crimes occurred during daylight hours [source: FBI].

What does this information tell homeowners about burglars? For one, it reveals that most criminals prefer to strike when no one is home. Since you can't realistically quit your job, arm yourself with a shotgun, and wait for an intruder, you'll need to fortify your home's defenses to protect it.

It’s often believed that if a determined burglar wants to enter your home, they will eventually succeed. However, you can make the process much more difficult and dangerous for them. To achieve this, think like a criminal. Walk around your house, both inside and outside, and “case the joint.” Look for weak points where an intruder could easily break in.

Start by inspecting your locks. It's advised that your door feature at least one deadbolt lock with a one-inch or longer throw (meaning the bolt extends at least one inch into the door frame). Ideally, the deadbolt should be a double cylinder lock, which requires a key on both sides of the door. This is particularly important for doors with glass panes within 40 inches of the doorknob. If the lock has a turn knob instead of a keyhole, a burglar could easily break the glass and reach in to unlock the deadbolt.

In some locations, however, double-cylinder deadbolts are prohibited by the fire code because they could trap a person inside a burning home. If double-cylinder locks are not allowed in your area, you can address this by replacing your glass-paneled door with a solid one.

The best choice for a front door is a solid metal or solid wood door with a metal exterior, paired with a peephole. However, the door frame is just as crucial. A solid metal frame, reinforced with at least one three-inch screw for each hinge plate, can make it much harder for an intruder to force the door off its frame.

Don’t forget to secure sliding glass doors and windows. A simple way to do this is by placing a piece of wood in the track of your sliding doors or windows, preventing them from being opened from the outside. You can also install keyed locks on these doors and windows for added security.

Securing your home against burglars goes beyond just locking your doors. While a sliding glass door might be locked, it can still be broken. Continue reading the next page to discover more ways to deter burglars and make your home a harder target.

Securing Your Home

In 2006, nearly 30 percent of burglaries involved no force at all, making simply locking your doors and windows an excellent first step. However, it also means that the remaining 70 percent of burglaries that year were forced entries, or attempts where the burglar was apprehended during the act.

The National Neighborhood Watch Association recommends a three-part strategy for homeowners aiming to secure their homes: deter, detect, and delay.

The first step in deterring burglars is ensuring you have quality locks and strong points of entry. Additionally, consider posting a sign that lets potential intruders know you have an alarm system. For many burglars, the mere presence of an alarm system is enough to make them move on to an easier target.

Another way to discourage burglars is by creating the illusion that someone is always home. Keep a television or radio running and use an automatic timer for some of your lights to make it appear as though the house is occupied. Most burglars are deterred if they believe someone is present. Be cautious with what’s visible through your curtains; if your car is parked outside and the keys are easily accessible, it may tempt burglars to break in and steal your vehicle.

Having a dog can serve as a deterrent, but be aware that experienced burglars know how to handle guard dogs. They might feed the dog treats or lure it into a room before shutting the door. Instead, a dog works more effectively as a detection tool rather than an active guard.

Detection is one of the most effective ways to reduce burglaries. A barking dog can alert an entire neighborhood that something is wrong. However, to enhance this method, many people opt for alarm systems.

Alarm systems vary greatly in price, depending on the features they offer. No matter your budget, ensure that your system includes sensors at all entry points, motion detectors inside your house, and a loud outdoor alarm to notify the neighborhood if someone breaks in. While alarm systems won’t directly prevent a burglar from entering, they shift the dynamics of the crime. With an alarm blaring, a burglary turns into a frantic smash and grab — the burglar hastily searching for valuable items before fleeing.

While it’s a good idea to let others know you have an alarm system, revealing the specifics of your system to potential burglars may not be wise. If your system can be deactivated with a remote control or key fob, criminals using tech might be able to duplicate the signal and disable the alarm from outside your home.

Installing motion-sensor floodlights outside can also discourage burglars from operating at night. During the day, ensure your bushes are trimmed so your house is clearly visible from the street. Burglars tend to seek cover, so keeping your shrubs tidy removes that opportunity. You might also consider planting thorny bushes beneath your windows to make it an even less inviting hiding spot.

Delaying burglars is another key element of home security. The longer it takes a burglar to enter, the more likely they are to give up and leave. According to the National Neighborhood Watch Association, a four-minute delay is often enough to protect your home in most cases [NNWA].

In addition to securing doors and windows, delaying a burglar also involves restricting access to less obvious entry points. Trim tree branches to prevent easy access to upper-floor windows. Ensure basement windows are properly secured, and always lock your garage doors.

Limiting a burglar’s options for entering your home, combined with the risk of triggering an alarm if they do, can significantly discourage them. And remember, no other security measure matters if your doors and windows are left unlocked.

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