Your home is your refuge, your shelter, a place where you should feel completely safe. Unfortunately, these days the number of burglaries is exploding. In France, a burglary every 90 seconds. It is therefore better to take the initiative and protect yourself, if you do not want to find yourself among the victims.
On this page you will find advice that will help you keep burglars away and protect yourself against burglaries :
1. Do not stir up desire
Certain everyday gestures, which seem trivial, can make you a prime target for burglars and thieves. Here are a few to watch out for:
- Do not leave objects lying around in front of your door or in your garden, which may arouse the lust of thieves (scooter, bike, sports equipment, etc.). If you have a garage, use it to keep everything out of sight and make sure it is securely closed.
- The cardboard packaging of your new big screen television, your new laptop or any other electronic equipment that you have just purchased, when placed next to the trash can or in front of your door, is an invitation to burglars. Fold the packaging and place it carefully inside your trash can so that it is not visible.
- Take a walk in front of your house or apartment and check that your windows do not reveal valuable objects, or electronic equipment, which could encourage thieves to break into your home. If necessary, install blinds, curtains, or privacy film on the windows.
- Do not make the work of thieves easier by leaving tools, such as a ladder, a hammer or others, which can be used to enter your home.
2. Employ deterrence
Just as it is important not to stir up covetousness, it is essential to deter and discourage potential burglars in sight. Thieves are opportunistic and look for easy targets. If you take the trouble to dissuade them, they will look elsewhere. Here are some ways to discourage thieves:
- Clearly and prominently display a sign (or label) indicating that you have a surveillance system or security system, even if you do not have one. A “Beware of naughty dog” sign will also do the trick.
- If you cannot invest in a real surveillance system, you can purchase fake cameras which cost less. However, you must be careful to place them correctly, so that they are neither too visible nor completely hidden. This will prevent thieves from discovering that they are fake.
- Motion detector projectors, which turn on as soon as someone approaches your property, do not cost too much and are sure to cause trouble for burglars. In addition to exposing the burglar, the spotlights alert you and your neighbors of any presence.
- Your fence wall must be high enough and difficult to climb. You can also consider setting up an anti-intrusion fence or portcullis, to send the right message.
3. Make sure everything is securely locked
This seems obvious, but many people don’t do it, or often forget to do it. From the front door, to the one connecting your garage and your house, including the French window to the garden or balcony, all doors must be locked and not just closed. Same goes for windows, no matter how high the window is. Locking doors and windows should be a reflex, whether you are inside, in the garden, or suddenly want to go out. Even if you don’t plan to be away for long, or you plan to stay close to home, always take the time to close and lock everything.
4. Secure doors and windows
The majority of burglaries and intrusions occur through a door or window. A fragile front door is an invitation to burglars. For your entry, choose a robust door equipped with an A2P certified multi-point lock, and you should significantly minimize the risk of break-ins.
Apart from your front door, you should know that sliding doors and bay windows are particularly targeted by thieves, because they are easy to fracture. All you have to do is knock them out of their tracks, pop the striker with a screwdriver, or break the windows. It is therefore advisable to opt for sliding doors with burglar-proof glazing and security locks at the level of the strikers as well as the bands (rails).
Regarding windows, you can resort to secure locks and burglar-proof glazing, or security film to apply on windows. Add shutters box and burglars will not risk it.
5. Maintain good visibility
A dark and poorly lit home greatly facilitates the burglar’s work. He will be able to keep watch without being noticed, then slip quietly inside and come out, knowing that there is little chance of him being seen. The installation of floodlights with motion detector provides a dissuasive response to this problem. The burglar is surprised by the spotlight which is triggered and which draws your attention, as well as that of the neighborhood, to him.
And to improve safety even further, make sure that your garden and your exterior do not offer no places that can help a burglar hide. Consider pruning your shrubs and plants which, when not maintained, reduce your field of vision and cast a shadow helping intruders to hide.
6. Equip yourself with a security or surveillance system (alarm or cameras)
Of course the ideal is to have a security or surveillance system. With opening detectors on doors and windows, motion detectors judiciously positioned in several rooms, and a transmitter box, you will certainly be less anxious when leaving your home. As soon as an intrusion is detected, a siren (alarm) is triggered, and the alert is automatically transmitted to the police, so that they can intervene as quickly as possible.
Or you can opt for a camera-based surveillance system, which will allow you to keep an eye on your home no matter where you are, and which can also, thanks to motion detectors, be triggered automatically to record what is happening in the event of an intrusion. This type of system is generally sold in the form of a subscription, with a remote monitoring company which is responsible for storing the recordings and notifying the police when necessary.
7. Get a guard dog
If you love animals, then you can combine business with pleasure and get a guard dog. However, certain breeds are preferred to ensure your safety and monitor your home. Furthermore, the training of the dog, as well as the care, must be taken very seriously, if you do not want to have obedience problems. Which can be problematic, especially in a large dog. His aggression must be controlled and must not spill over into your life or that of your family. This is especially true when you have children. You must therefore carefully weigh the pros and cons before committing to this approach.
8. Get closer to your neighbors
Having good relationships with your neighbors is very useful in protecting yourself against burglaries. Neighbors with whom you have good relationships are more motivated to notify the police when they see someone suspicious lurking around your home. Furthermore, if they are helpful and you know you can trust them, you will only have to inform them of your absences so that they can keep an eye on your house or apartment. So don’t hesitate to reach out to your neighbors and build relationships with them.
9. Prepare well for vacation departures and absences
Burglars generally don’t like confrontation, they prefer to break into your home while you are away. To avoid having an unpleasant surprise when you return, it is better to make a few arrangements before you leave:
- At the risk of repeating myself, before your departure, you should always make sure that all doors and windows are properly closed and locked.
- If you have neighbors, and you are on good terms with them, then you can inform them of your absence. They will then pay more attention to what happens at your home after you leave. And if you trust them, even better, you can give them a key that they will use to pick up your mail, and create an activity that will hide your absence from the eyes of burglars.
- Don’t let your mail pile up in your mailbox, you risk reporting your absence to thieves. Have it picked up by someone you trust, or have it followed.
- Contact your police station or gendarmerie brigade to report your absence. The police will thus be able to monitor your home as part of the “holiday tranquility” operation.
- For those who live in a building and have a caretaker, it is recommended to notify them.
- Apart from the trusted people mentioned above, and for obvious reasons, it is preferable to do not spread the word about your absence or your departure on vacation. Also be careful with the information you post on social media, as burglars regularly scan them.
10. In case of burglary
Finally, if despite all your prevention efforts you are faced with a burglary, follow these few tips to react appropriately:
- Keep calm and don’t panic.
- If the burglar is still there, do not go in his direction and do not try to scare him away or intimidate him.
- Leave your home. Otherwise, try to find a safe place to hide.
- Call the police and make sure to give them all the necessary information so they can intervene quickly.
If you want to know more about the right way to react in the event of a burglary, you can consult our article on this subject.