It is not hard to go online and find all sorts of tips for preventing residential burglary. Some of the more common tips include installing deadbolt locks and investing in a home security system. But have you ever noticed a common theme running through most tip lists? That common theme is entry point. When push comes to shove, entry points play a crucial role in preventing residential burglary.
By the letter of the law, burglary is any incident involving unauthorized entry into a vehicle or structure with the intent to commit a crime. People who break into homes to steal things are committing burglary. So are people who break into parked cars. But an intent to steal is not a prerequisite. Even home invaders who force their way into a home with the intent of assaulting the homeowner are committing burglary.
What does any of this have to do with entry points? Burglars and home invaders count on easy entry to commit their crimes. Homeowners who go out of their way to make entry as difficult as possible reduce their risks of being victimized considerably.
The Front Door Is the Big One
Vivint Smart Home, a nationwide leader in home automation and security technology, is just one of many home security companies that remind consumers about the front door being an attractive entry point for burglars. As strange as it seems, burglars prefer the front door.
Have you ever read a news story about a burglar caught walking through a neighborhood checking door handles and wondered why he would do it? Checking door handles is a good way to find unlocked doors. If a burglar can get in without causing a commotion, he will.
Front doors with flimsy locks are also pretty easy to breach. A well-placed kick with enough force can do the job in seconds. A burglar can be inside and close the door behind him before anyone in the neighborhood is the wiser.
Other Attractive Entry Points
Although the front door is the preferred entry point, burglars will still look for the easiest way in. If the front door doesn’t look viable, a burglar might also consider:
- A first-floor window.
- A basement window.
- A sliding glass door.
- An attached garage.
Believe it or not, burglars have been known to climb up to second floor balconies in order to gain entrance directly to a master bedroom. That kind of entry requires a brazen criminal willing to take his chances. But ask yourself this: how many homeowners with second floor balconies take extra steps to secure balcony doors – just in case?
Identify and Fortify
The point to all of this is to say that preventing burglary starts with identifying the easiest entry points and then fortifying them. Let us go back to the main door on the first floor. It should be a heavy-duty exterior door with a deadbolt lock. A reinforced sash and footplate only make the door more secure.
As for first floor windows, homeowners can do a couple of things. First is equipping them with heavy duty locks. Second, planting thorny bushes in front of first floor windows makes for an uncomfortable entry.
Sliding glass doors, basement windows, and garages can all be fortified as well. Top everything off with a security system that includes video surveillance and the chances of being burglarized go way down. Remember, it is all about making life as hard as possible on the burglar. If breaking in is too hard or the chances of being caught are too great, most burglars will move on to another target.
