Do Locked Doors Deter Burglars?

Do locked doors deter burglars? People have a common question when choosing how to protect their homes. Burglaries are typically a crime of opportunity, and the most likely time to be burglarized is when you're home (especially in the middle of the day). Taking simple precautions can make you a difficult target to rob. How can you deter burglars? The most straightforward answer is calling Diego's Locksmith for a high-security door lock installation. A Locksmith can tailor solutions to your specific home and needs.

What Attracts Burglars?

Burglars look for homes that appear to be unoccupied and easy to break into. They are attracted to homes with the following characteristics:

Unlocked doors: Many burglaries occur when people leave their front door unlocked. This gives a burglar an easy way to get inside and access valuables.
No cars in the driveway: A burglar can't tell if a home is occupied by looking at the driveway. If there are no cars, it might seem like nobody's home.
Unlit house at night: Burglars prefer to break into dark or unlit houses, so they don't attract attention while inside your home stealing valuables.
Poorly lit house during the day: If your home is poorly lit, it will make it easier for thieves to case the area without being seen by neighbors or passersby on the street.
Abandoned property nearby: Unused buildings or vacant lots nearby can make a neighborhood seem unsafe — even if there haven't been any crimes recently — because they give thieves places to hide from police officers who might come by later looking for the suspects after a burglary occurs nearby.

Deterring Burglars

The most effective way to deter intruders is to ensure that your home is visible through the windows and doors. Burglars will avoid homes lit up like a Christmas trees, so make sure that you leave lights on in every room of your house and keep curtains open during the day.

An alarm system can be an effective deterrent, but other security precautions should back it up. You should install motion sensors or video surveillance cameras at the front and back doors and in common areas like garages and porches. Alarms with loud sirens and flashing lights can be very intimidating to burglars.

Lock The Front Door

The front door is the most common way criminals enter a home. You should always lock it and keep it locked unless someone is in the house with you or when you're bringing packages inside. If there's no one else around, be sure to lock up before leaving for work or running an errand — even if it's only for a few minutes.

In addition to your normal door lock, there are other locking measures you can add for further prevention - deadbolts and door chains.

Deadbolts are designed to secure the door jambs and strike plates at the top and bottom of the door frame to prevent doors from being forced open. Deadbolts come in many types, including single-cylinder, double-cylinder, and electronic deadbolts. Each type has its unique advantages and disadvantages; however, they all serve as an effective deterrent against burglars attempting to force their way into a home through an unlocked door.
Door chains are a secondary defense against forced entry through an unlocked door. Combined with a deadbolt, these devices can make it more difficult for an intruder to access your home without alerting anyone inside that something is wrong.

Outdoor Lighting

Bright outdoor lighting helps deter burglars from breaking into your home because it makes it harder for them to remain undetected while attempting to break in or steal items inside your house after dark. A bright spotlight on your front door will make it easier for neighbors to notice when something isn't "right."

Minimize Obstructions or Places To Hide

Clear away any large objects or piles of clutter that may provide a burglar with somewhere to hide. Make sure that hedges aren't blocking windows or doors — these may look pretty, but they also provide a hiding place for robbers who don't want to be seen entering your home. You should also consider getting rid of shrubs around windows and doors if they provide cover for potential intruders.

Security Cameras

Security cameras are another great deterrent because they allow you to see what's happening around your home when you're not there — or even when you are there! Suppose you have security cameras installed outside your property. In that case, they will also deter potential thieves from approaching your house while you're home sleeping or away at work during the day (when most burglaries occur).

Alarm System

An alarm system is an excellent deterrent for burglars because they know that most people who have them will call the police immediately if they hear an alarm sounding when they're home alone or asleep at night. And even if someone does break in without setting off the alarm, he'll probably be so startled when it goes off after he's already inside that he'll leave quickly before anything can happen.

Good Neighbors

The best way to deter burglars from breaking into your home is by having good neighbors who will keep an eye on things when you're away. Make sure they know where everything is located in your home so they can quickly inform law enforcement if anything suspicious happens. If one of your neighbors has a dog, ensure it gets plenty of exercises so it will bark at intruders as soon as they approach your home.

Dog(s) As Security

Burglars don't want to be caught, so they pick homes that appear empty. They hope that by breaking in at night, they can steal your belongings without anyone being the wiser.

The best way to keep burglars away is to make it look like your house isn't worth the risk. If it seems like you have a dog, burglar or not, they will probably move on to an easier target.

Dogs are one of the most effective deterrents for burglars. They bark when someone comes into their yard and sound an alarm if someone breaks in through a window or door. And even if they didn't hear them barking at the intruder, they know that dogs can alert their owners to trouble.*

Keep Out Of Sight

Keep all valuables out of sight. Burglars know where to look for things like jewelry, cash, and electronics, so make it harder for them by keeping these items hidden from view whenever possible.

No Key Accessible

Don't hide keys under doormats or in mailboxes or flowerpots — these are some of the first places burglars look when trying to get inside your home without attracting attention from neighbors or passersby. Instead, have an extra key hidden inside the house (such as above a light switch) that only you know about but can still easily find if needed (such as during an emergency).

Hire a Locksmith

These days, people use various deterrents to help keep burglars out. Many companies market a wide array of devices and gadgets that claim to deter the crafty burglar. While these solutions might work for some, you must weigh all your options carefully before determining what measures will work best in your situation. Your best bet is to hire a professional locksmith. Diego's Locksmith can help you determine what the best option for you is.

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