10 Burglary Myths Disparaged

When it comes to protecting our homes, there are plenty of precautions that we should all be taking if we want to avoid being broken into and looted. Unfortunately, there are also an equal number of myths which are simply not true yet they are perpetuated time and time again, often making homes more vulnerable because of the confusion.

1. Burglars arrive well prepared with the tools of their trade

In reality, this is usually not the case, despite movies helpfully portraying the black-clad burglar with a bag of tools including lock picks and glass cutters. The majority of burglaries occur when the homeowner is absent and they use whatever they can find lying around. There is absolutely nothing technical about a boulder from your rockery being used to smash your door lock. Make sure you always avoid leaving debris around which could be used to gain access to your property.

2. Burglars plan their break-ins down to the minute details

Burglars are opportunists who choose easy targets. A house with no obvious security system, inadequate locks and inhabitants who are obviously away from home – those are the places that the passing burglar is looking for.

3. Burglars usually break in through the window

Actually, most burglars target doors first and foremost. Most people would be shocked to learn how often doors are left unsecured even when the homeowner is away from the house.

4. Security stickers and pretend alarm boxes deter thieves

An experienced burglar is used to seeing all of the usual types of stickers available. Properties which are really protected with good quality alarms, provided by reputable companies, will have their name and logo on the bell box. Any burglar worth his salt will know the difference between the real and the fake.

5. Alarm monitoring is a waste of money

Many people are under the false impression that monitored alarms are pointless. This myth is a false economy, in fact. Many alarms are ignored by the neighbours, particularly in built up areas where car/house alarms are frequently sounding. A patient burglar may set off your alarm and then hide and wait for half an hour. If no-one turns up in that time then they are unlikely to bother at all. A monitoring service will always respond to your alarm by alerting both the emergency services and the designated keyholder.

6. Wireless alarms are not reliable

Technology has advanced in recent years and wireless systems are on par with their wired counterparts and are far easier to fit retrospectively.

7. Hiding your valuables

Unless you buy a secure Home Safe there is very little point in hiding your valuable items. Unfortunately, most of us tend to dream up the same old places in which to stash our stuff and yet again any professional will know where to look.

8. Thorn bushes deter burglars

Many homeowners see prickly shrubbery as protection in front of their windows. The opposite is the case – a burglar can wear thick gloves and clothing to protect them from thorns. Having overgrown shrubbery is a perfect hiding place for the burglar. Keep bushes trimmed down to below your windowsills to prevent them being used to hide from view.

9. My dog will protect my home

Unless your dog is trained to guard the house it is highly unlikely to attack an intruder, particularly one who appears friendly and is bearing treats. Unfortunately, the majority of people also restrict the dog to one area of the home in their absence. Just listening to where the barking is coming from is sufficient knowledge for the burglar to know where to avoid.

10. I don’t have anything worth stealing

This is an interesting one! Most of us believe that we have nothing of value but a burglar will target keys, wallets, phones, jewellery, iPods, tablets and laptops first of all. If you really don’t possess any one of those items then you really are a bad bet for a burglar. Unfortunately, they won’t know that until they are already inside and possibly wrecking your home looking for valuables. They may leave feeling disappointed but you are not going to feel over the moon either when you get home!

As you can see, there are plenty of myths flying around which lots of people really seriously do believe to be true. In reality, the best way to protect your home is to install good quality doors with the best locks, fit quality window locks and actually use them, and even consider investing in sensor lights and alarm systems. It’s not only the loss of valuables that affect people after a break in, the psychological effects can be devastating!