One of the best ways to protect your home is to understand how the people who break into houses think. Burglars and home invaders look for easy, low-risk targets, so the more of those easy opportunities you remove, the safer your home and family will be. Here is what intruders look for, and what you can do about each one.
Burglary vs. Home Invasion: Know the Difference
People often use these terms interchangeably, but they describe two different crimes, and the way you guard against each is different.
- A burglar targets an empty home so they can grab valuables and leave unnoticed. Burglaries most often happen during the day, when people are at work or school.
- A home invader targets an occupied home to get at cash, valuables, and the people inside. Home invasions are more likely at night and are far more dangerous because the residents are home.
What Intruders Look For (and How to Remove It)
Easy Doors
An exterior door is the most common way in, so make yours hard to force. Choose solid-core or steel doors instead of hollow ones, and back up the standard lock with a deadbolt. Reinforce the strike plate and use hinge screws that are at least two to three inches long so the door cannot be kicked in at the frame.
Cover and Hiding Spots
Burglars like to work where no one can see them. Walk your property and look for tall hedges, dense shrubs, or dark corners near doors and windows that would give someone cover. Trim landscaping back, keep entry points visible from the street and neighbors, and add motion-activated lighting to take away the shadows.
Homes Without an Alarm
An unprotected home is an open invitation. Surveys of convicted burglars consistently show they avoid houses with visible alarms, cameras, and monitoring. A professionally installed, monitored system, with signage to match, tells an intruder your home is watched and not worth the risk.
The “Invitation” Trick
Home invaders often get in by simply knocking or ringing the bell, then forcing their way in when the door opens. Always check who is there through a peephole or a video doorbell before you open up, and do not open the door to anyone you do not recognize. A video doorbell also lets you answer from your phone without coming to the door at all.
Put It All Together
No single step stops every intruder, but layering them, stronger doors, clear sight lines, good lighting, a video doorbell, and a monitored alarm, makes your home a target most criminals will skip. A professionally installed and monitored security system ties these defenses together and brings help when you need it. Contact the SafeTouch team today to find the right setup for your home.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do burglars look for in a home?
Burglars look for easy targets: unlocked or weak doors, windows hidden by landscaping, poor lighting, and homes with no visible alarm or cameras. Removing those easy opportunities makes your home far less appealing.
What is the difference between a burglary and a home invasion?
A burglary targets an empty home, usually during the day, to take valuables unnoticed. A home invasion targets an occupied home, more often at night, and is more dangerous because the residents are present.
Does a security system actually deter burglars?
Yes. Surveys of convicted burglars consistently show they avoid homes with visible alarms, cameras, and monitoring, so a professionally installed system is one of the strongest deterrents available.
How can I make my doors harder to break into?
Use solid-core or steel exterior doors, add a deadbolt, reinforce the strike plate, and install hinge screws two to three inches long so the door cannot be kicked in at the frame.