What keeps intruders away?

10 Effective Ways to Deter Burglars and Intruders

It’s believed that a home burglary occurs every 40 seconds in the United Kingdom. That could mean that by the time you have spent reading this blog, three home burglaries have already taken place.

That statistic alone is enough to frighten any homeowner, but as security specialists, it gives us nightmares.

Although not mutually connected, at Safe Simple Secure we like to compare home security to an onion. What we mean by this is that your home security should have multiple layers. As you begin peeling back each layer, it should get more difficult for a burglar to get what they want; enough to make them cry.

To help strengthen the security of your home, we wanted to provide you with a short guide on some of the most effective (and affordable) burglar deterrents.

10 Burglar Deterrents That Work

Install a Burglar Alarm System

Burglar alarm systems remain one of the most popular and effective burglar deterrents any homeowner can invest in. The only issue is; most homeowners forget to use them or don’t know how to operate theirs.

Many homeowners may not have been provided with the training on how to operate their security system or change the batteries, whilst many may have previously moved into a property with a security system already installed.

If this is the case, we recommend getting in contact with an experienced security installation company who can inspect and assess the system to ensure that it is in working condition.

Choosing the right security installation company will be able to advise and assist you with any issues you have regarding your burglar alarm system, along with recommending any other areas of your property which could require further security.

Motion-Activated Outdoor Lighting

Lights are counter-intuitive in the nature of a burglar.

Burglars and intruders do not work well in areas which are well lit and visible because the chances of being caught are much higher.

We recommend ensuring that your full property is fitted with fully-functional outdoor security lighting.

Motion-activated outdoor security lighting will illuminate any shadowed areas of your home whenever it detects even the slightest movements around your property.

Get a Guard Dog

Dogs are great companions, but they also make great burglar deterrents. There is a reason they’re referred to as “man’s best friend”.

Burglars tend to avoid properties which cause a commotion by barking dogs. Burglars do not want to risk alerting nearby neighbours of their intentions, but they also want to avoid being bitten.

Maintain Surrounding Landscape

Gardens which appear to be patchy, excessively long and neglected can indicate to burglars that you are away, and this makes your home particularly vulnerable.

Trees, bushes and shrubs which haven’t been properly maintained provide burglars with great hiding places, so it’s important to keep your front and back gardens well maintained and trimmed to prevent burglars from receiving any opportunities to break into your home.

Multiple Door Locks

In most recorded burglaries, criminals broke into the house through the door – either by forcing entry through the locks or by kicking it in.

Burglars are also becoming more sophisticated in the methods they use to break-in. Burglars nowadays have the capabilities to pick the locks on your doors, so having single lock doors will allow intruders to gain access effortlessly.

We recommend installing multiple locks on each of your doors throughout your home.

Install a CCTV Surveillance System

Home CCTV security cameras are one of the most effective deterrents for burglars and intruders.

If a burglar spots that your property is recording their every move, they may avoid targeting your home as there is a higher risk of exposing their identity. We would recommend installing CCTV cameras both indoors and outdoors which are equipped with night vision. Night vision camera will help record any movements that happen inside and outside your property when it’s dark. We also advise ensuring you have a decent hard drive so you can record a few days’ worth of video before your memory fills up.

If you find yourself financially unable to purchase a CCTV system, there is an alternative method. There is the option to improvise and use ‘fake’ CCTV cameras around your property.

Whilst we do not recommend solely relying on imitations to protect your home, they can give potential burglars and intruders the impression that your home is recording the movements of the surrounding premises. If you decide to opt-in to use this method, we would recommend looking for a high-quality replica and not just selecting cheap plastic ones that burglars could easily identify as dummies.

Internal Timer-Operated Lighting

Whether you’re at work during the day, going on holiday or just leaving your home for a few hours in the evening, your home may be targeted by a burglar if it looks unoccupied.

Fortunately, there are ways in which you can make your home look occupied, even when you’re not home. By purchasing lighting timers, you can set a timer to turn some of your lights or appliances on throughout the day.

These timers provide an excellent and cost-effective way of allowing you to set a timer on your lights or other electrical appliances which give off the impression that there is someone home.

Double Glazing Security Glass

If your home does not yet have double glazing glass, it may be time to consider them. Although replacing your windows may not be cheap, when it comes to the safety of the occupants and the security of your home, it’s worth the price.

Glass panels on doors and windows are a particularly vulnerable area for burglars to target as they can be easily smashed. If your doors have glass panels, we recommend replacing them with laminated glass which is a stronger material.

Alternatively, you can consider replacing the glass for your doors and windows with security glass which is a stronger, tougher glass to break.

Be Smart Online

Social Media has overtaken our lives. We share endless information, sometimes without taking a moment to ourselves to think of what information we’re actually sharing to the world.

Noel “Razor” Smith, a former bank robber who carried out more than 200 burglaries and served a total of 32 years behind bars, explained that “Bragging about your holidays on social media is an absolute no-no. It’s just saying ‘come and burgle my house’. Organised gangs are having a field day”.

So if you’ve got a holiday booked, or if you’re only leaving for a few hours, avoid sharing this information online. You don’t want to return home to find all of your valuable possessions gone.

Hide Valuables from Sight

It’s likely that burglars have carried out some reconnaissance beforehand, and this likely involves looking in your windows and finding valuable possessions.

New television sets, laptops, jewellery, money and other valuables can be very tempting for prowling burglars.

Therefore to prevent unwanted attention to your valuable possessions, we recommend hiding them out of plain sight. Place any portable valuables in storage cupboards or lock them away in a nearby safe.

If you haven’t already, we would suggest putting up some blinds or curtains to make it more difficult for burglars to peek inside your home through your windows.

Protect and Secure Your Property with Safe Simple Secure

We cannot express enough the importance of effective home security. It’s important to fortify your home security to a level which makes your home unappealing and less desirable to potential burglars. After all, it’s the safety of your loved ones and the security of your most valuable possessions at stake.

If you feel you are not comfortable with the level of security your home has and feel there is room for improvements, please get in touch with us by calling 0131 558 9205 or by sending us an email to [email protected] . We will be able to provide you with a full inspection of your premises, consult you on areas in which may be vulnerable and provide suggestions on the best security solutions.

9 Tips from a Burglar on How to Keep Them Out of Your House

Don’t come home to a nightmare and the feeling of being invaded. Here how to stop a house burglary from ever happening.

You come home to an open front door, a ransacked house, and missing valuables. How did a burglar know you’d be gone? How did they get in?

Here are nine tips from a burglar’s perspective about how to keep them out. And try these home security tips to prevent burglary, too.

#1 Put Ladders Away

Call me a social climber if you will, but I love ladders. They make it so easy to reach a second-story window. I really love it when upper story openings aren’t wired to a home security system.

So, if you want to keep me out, store your ladder in the basement or a locked garage. And call your security company to wire upper-story windows into your alarm system.

#2 Don’t Make Your Trash So Visible

Can’t tell you how much fun I have driving around neighborhoods on trash day (especially after big gift holidays) when the empty boxes on the curb reveal what wonderful new toys you have. That made it possible for me to land a new laptop and a flat-screen TV in one easy trip to your home!

Next time, break down the boxes and conceal them in the recycling or trash bins.

#3 Keep Shrubs Trimmed

Oh, how I love overgrown shrubs and trees. A wonderful place to hide before I break in and grab all your cool stuff.

Trim back bushes and trees near windows and doors. Make sure entry points to your home are easily visible from the street. I much prefer to work in private. While you’re at it, install motion-sensor lighting.

#4 Be Sure Your Exterior Doors Are Steel

A plain wood-panel door is an invitation. I have no trouble kicking it in.

You may want to install steel-wrapped exterior doors with deadbolts on all your entries. And be sure your windows are locked when you’re away.

#5 Watch Where You Hang Mirrors

You’d be surprised how many homeowners position a mirror in their entry hall so I can see from a window if the alarm system is armed.

A little free advice: Relocate the mirror so your alarm system isn’t visible if someone peers through a window.

#6 Have Someone Attend to Your Home When You’re Away

Wow, isn’t it amazing how fast the grass grows? An uncut lawn, unshoveled sidewalks, packages on the porch or in the yard, and shades always closed scream, «I’m empty. Come inside!»

Hire someone you trust to mow or shovel regularly, pick up around the porch and doorstep, open and close various window shades, and turn different lights on and off (or put a few on timers). One more thing: Lock any car you leave in the driveway, or I can use your garage door opener to get in quickly.

#7 Don’t Put Valuables in an Easy-Carry Case

I can carry that right out your back door.

You may want to invest in a wall safe, which I rarely attempt to open. Or, rent a lock box at your bank.

#8 Be Wary of Posting on Social Sites When on Vacation

It’s quite likely that I’m a friend of a friend of yours in the interwebs. And through them, I may discover you’re away for the week in Paris, having the time of your life. And I’ll have the time of my life ransacking your place.

If only you had known that posting comments and photos of your trip on social networks is fine — as long as you do that after you return, so you won’t broadcast your absence.

#9 Inviting People to Your Home to See Stuff You’re Selling

You’re downsizing. Great! Selling a bunch of stuff like TVs, computers, jewelry. I just have to call you up, and when you invite me to your home, I just grab the items and run.

It’s called “robbery by appointment.” If you want to sell high-ticket items to strangers, I suggest you arrange to meet at the parking lot of your local police station. I definitely won’t show up, and you’ll still have your valuables.

For more tips, see our list of low-cost tricks to fool burglars. Did you know there’s a gizmo that mimics the glow of a TV?

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Jan Soults Walker

Jan Soults Walker Nationally published home improvement writer Jan Soults Walker has more than 30 years’ experience, remodeling several of her own homes and reporting on everything from kitchen sinks to luxurious mansions. Even now, a deck of paint chips still makes her heart sing.