Having burglars about the house is something we could all do without. Fortunately, you can reduce the chance of your home being burgled by 90% if you take the right precautions. With these burglary prevention tips, you can go out knowing that your home is secure.
Ever heard of ‘shimming’? It’s a technique that many burglars use to force open doors that are not locked. By inserting a piece of flexible plastic between the door and the frame, a burglar can push the latch back into the lock mechanism. As a result, the burglar will have the door open in no time and be able to steal your things without damaging the door.
Social media offer a great way to make your friends and family jealous with your sunny holiday snaps. Unfortunately, however, by posting those holiday snaps you are also letting burglars know that you’re away. So it’s best not to advertise on social media when exactly you will be on holiday and to post your pictures after you get back.
Don’t leave the key in the door on the inside. Burglars have clever ways to get the key to turn from the outside, such as by drilling a hole next to the lock or breaking a window by the door. Installing deadlocks will make it extra difficult to kick down the door or pry it open using a crowbar.
Close all the windows before you go out. Don’t forget those small windows, such as the one in the bathroom. Cover windows that are burglary weak spots with anti-burglary film. This will make the glass stronger and prevent it from shattering when it breaks. If you have sliding patio doors, install a small security bar between the track and the doorpost so that it cannot be opened from the outside.
No one would just let a burglar come in. Obviously. And yet it happens more often than you might think. Having an address tag on the same key chain as your house keys, for example, is a way of inviting burglars in. Anyone who finds those keys can then just let themselves in. Don’t hide a key near the front door either. A key under the doormat is very easy to find for any burglar and makes it very easy for them to enter your home.
The areas of your home that are most susceptible to burglary are the back door, the front door, and the ground-floor windows (source: Stichting NIPW). It’s a good idea to install an alarm system or security camera that protects these areas. Merely having an alarm or security camera is often enough to deter burglars from trying to break into your home. On top of that, a security camera is a way to gather evidence of a break-in or an attempted break-in. Please note that you are under an obligation to put up a notice saying that you have cameras protecting your property.
Finding out that you have been burgled can be a real shock to the system. Even so, it’s important that you keep a cool head and do the following:
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