All burglars, from seasoned pros to opportunist amateurs, follow similar patterns. There's a criminal code of conduct that, if learnt and combated by homeowners, could greatly reduce the risk of your home being targeted.
By putting yourself in a burglars boots and exploring the methods they use to target and enter a home, you can make your house or flat a less appealing choice.
With that in mind, here are Blake's top 5 home security tips to outsmart burglars and protect your home.
There are three types of burglar:
Because professionals usually have more lucrative targets in mind (think Kim Kardashian's Paris robbery!), your biggest threats are the semi-pro and the opportunist. They're looking for quick and easy targets and won't normally make any sustained effort to break in.
TIP: Don't make your home an easy target. Always lock doors and windows when you go out, draw curtains and blinds so your valuables can't be seen and invest in a high quality intruder alarm system that will alert the authorities if set off!
Every crook has their own personal modus operandi, but they all show some form of suspicious behaviour.
For example, if a "salesman" knocks at your door but you don't see a company car anywhere in sight, it may be a burglar just checking to see if you're in. They might sneak around the back to check for unopened doors and windows, too.
This CCTV footage captured a burglar dressed as a delivery courier knocking at the door. Little did the homeowner know there was a group of thugs waiting to strike her home...
TIP: Be vigilant about who you answer the door to and let into your home. Always ask for ID! A genuine company representative should have no problem identifying themselves.
These low-level criminals don't want hassle, so they'll move away from homes that display obvious security systems. They will also avoid well-tended homes and houses on corners because they're more likely to be seen breaking in.
TIP: Freshly cut grass every fortnight and a squeaky clean alarm box show you pay special attention to your home and are more likely to notice anything unusual. For example, shady figures lurking around or markings burglars leave on your property as a "come back here later" memo.
We've mentioned it before, but there's really nothing better than a professionally installed alarm system.
Did you know, the cheap DIY alarms available on the shelves are Grade 1 alarms - the lowest quality, least reliable alarms out there.
Accredited professionals, like Blake's, only install Grade 2 & 3 alarms that qualify for monitoring and Police response.
Could your home be on a burglar's hit list - find out in 4 mins!
The experts at Blake's created a quiz that lets you find out your "Home Security Score". Anything below 80 means your home is in the danger zone!
