Thirty-four percent use the front door, while 22 percent get in through the back door. Twenty-three percent use first-floor windows. And oftentimes, those doors and windows aren't even locked.
While most burglars gain entry through doors, the second most common area susceptible to break-ins is first-floor windows.
Burglars will often try and enter through the front door of your home, as it doesn't alert neighbours and can be the easiest way in. The less secure your lock is, the easier it will be for burglars to quickly break in.
Your attic is not likely to be visited by a burglar because they are usually hard to find and access. So, it is always a good idea to store valuables in attic storage containers.
The burglars in this particular study did not come to a clear consensus on whether lighting was a sufficient deterrent: "Responses were mixed regarding lights on in a home. Some said it was a deterrent. But one burglar said the combination of lights on and blinds closed created an attractive location."
Similarly, your 24-hour outdoor light doesn't really deter burglars. Instead, they'll be thankful for the light it provides them with. With a light on, burglars can see any obstacles that could create noise, and will also highlight any weak points or entry points around your home.
Twice as much crime occurs during the daylight hours — between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.– as occurs at night — from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. More specifically, the three most common times at which any crime will be committed are 12 midnight (6%), 12 noon (5.8%) and 5 p.m. (5.8%).
Knowing when most burglaries occur is powerful information. The most common times for break-ins occur between 10 am and 3 pm. Rather than being guarded by night, most burglars choose the daytime to attempt a break-in, targeting homes when they believe no one will be present.
Jewelry and watches are two of the most commonly stolen items in a home invasion. Burglars are on the lookout for expensive fine jewelry and watches to steal and resell to make a profit.
Remember that the vast majority of home invaders are chasing easy-to-sell valuables and aren't there with the intent of harming residents. According to the FBI, most burglars don't intentionally choose targets when residents are home, so they're surprised to discover people in the house.
According to cooperative insurer's research theft is most likely to occur on a Friday. Around 40% of break ins occur during the day whilst 60% take place during the evening or at night. It's really important to use your home security, day and night.
The main bedroom is known as the most common place for valuables to be kept, which is why it's often the first port of call for the burglar on the lookout for cash.
Biometric safes are the most secure type of safe. They are considered “high security” safes and demand a steep price. However, due to their quality, it is incredibly difficult to break into a biometric safe.
The average burglar takes less than a minute to break into your home and overall 8 to 12 minutes to get out again. In the first minute, the burglar lurks outside your property, looking for signs that there is no one there and assessing whether your house is a good target.
If your door is ajar and you left it locked, you can be sure someone is inside. Alternately, you might notice a window which is open or smashed in, or a door handle which has been dented as if by a hammer or other heavy object. These signs indicate that someone is in your house who shouldn't be there.
Just having an alarm on your property can serve as a deterrent to some, but not all, burglars. This is why you need to ensure that the alarm is in a visible place. According to statistics obtained from interviewing convicted burglars, 60% were deterred by seeing an alarm system.
This is a good time to leave the porch light on. It alerts burglars to your presence, particularly if indoor lights are on too. The porch light also acts as a spotlight on the front door. You can easily see who's approaching through either a window or peephole.
While we hope that no one tries to break into your home, a common tactic burglars use is to knock on someone's door to see if anyone is there before entering. However, even if someone isn't trying to break into your home, they could be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, which can be just as dangerous.