How to Deter Burglars
A dedicated enough burglar can break into any premises; your best defense is to discourage the burglar from selecting your home, and there are two ways to do that. First, make it difficult for the burglar to gain access, and second, make it appear to the burglar that it wouldn’t be profitable. If the anticipated reward doesn’t outweigh the perceived risk, you might convince the burglar to go elsewhere.
Make It Difficult
- Double-check your main line of defense. Be sure that all exterior doors, windows, skylights, garages, and storage sheds, are closed and locked when you’re not using them.
- Ensure that broken locks, hinges, doorknobs, and other hardware are replaced when worn or defective.
- Don’t leave hiding places available. Trim trees and shrubs so that they do not obscure views of your doors and windows. If a burglar thinks he can be seen from the street, he’ll probably try a different window or a different house.
- Rear windows and doors are perhaps the most vulnerable. Ensure quality locks and hardware, good lighting, keep shrubs short. You might also consider installing some other measure of security (i.e., window bars, an electronic security system, etc).
- Lawn lights, spot lights, and other exterior lighting will make a potential thief less comfortable. Criminals generally don’t want to be caught or identified. A few lights on timers, photosensors, or motion detectors may be just enough to push the potential thief to someone else’s house instead of yours.
- Basement windows are perhaps the most often broken-into, and are most dangerous for the residents. Once a burglar breaks into a typical basement window, they usually cannot get back out. This can produce a confrontation if the occupant goes downstairs to investigate. Either install bars on your basement windows or an alarm system that will be activated when the window is broken – before the burglar gets in.
Make It Appear NOT Worth The Risk
- Draw the blinds in rooms where expensive appliances or jewelry could be seen from the windows. If a potential burglar can see your stereo, big-screen TV, or computer system from your window, it may encourage them.
- Keep your garage door closed to avoid advertising your sports car as a thief-magnet.
Looking for more than just a deterrence? Maverick Security would be happy to help! eMail a sales rep for a free on-site security assessment (within our geographic operating area, of course).
