TOTALLY GEEKED!

burns07 · Guru

Posted November 21st, 2014 by Kelley

An estimated 2,000,000 burglaries occur in the United States each year: there is good reason to be mindful of your home security. However, when most of our ideas of break ins are from Hollywood and video games, we need to look at the facts to make sure we’re protecting our homes from facts and not myths. SimpliSafe went out to find the most common burglary myths. Then, we looked at what actually happens during a burglary. When you know the facts, you can make sure that you can best protect yourself against a break in!

When do Break Ins Occur?

In movies and advertisements, breaks ins occur during the dead of the night. With the darkness a cover, a burglar covertly enters a home. Most people believe this to be true, but the majority of burglaries actually occur during the day! In fact, over 40% off break ins occur during the day- typically during business hours! Another common myth is that you will be home during a break in. Thankfully that is not the case! Burglars do not want to meet people when they enter a home: they want as little trouble as possible. The average burglary is only 8 minutes!

home security

How Does a Burglar Break In?

Though it is a common belief that burglars break in through a window, doors are actually the most common point of entry. 60% of burglaries occur through a door (the most common entry point is the front door). 36% of break ins through a door happen because the door was left opened or unlocked! Make sure to always lock your door behind you!

burglary alarm

When windows are the entry point to a home, the window pane is most often broken. 61% of window break ins include breaking glass! Glass break sensors are an important layer of protection for your home. Despite common perception, it’s unlikely a break in will happen through a basement or a garage, with only 4% and 9% occurring through their respectfully.

What is Most Often Stolen?

If you were going to protect one valuable in your home, what item would you select? Most people would protect their appliances. The truth is that electronics are the most commonly stolen items. When designing your home security system, make sure to place sensors in the room with your TV and computer, and in rooms with any other items you wish to protect. Entry sensors have many functions, including protecting your electronics! Many people assume that firearms are one of the most common items stolen, but the truth is that firearms are only stolen 2% of the time!

alarm system

One of the most important elements to your home security is layered protection. A security alarm system is a great tool to your home protection. When you’re arming your home against break ins, make sure to know the facts and you’ll be as safe as houses.

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

Yep. During the day, fewer people are home. Neighborhoods are all but empty. No witnesses, no one to stop you or get in the way.

There is a door open in most houses. A front or side door, sliding doors. Even a second story door. Which ever offers the least resistance.

And all those pretty bushes and trees in front of a house make it so much easier.

If you teether electronics down, they are less likely to be stolen

And the easier it is to carry, the easier it is to steal.

cadiver · Senior Member

I only count three myths.

I know it was less then nine I only had to use my fingers on one hand, I did not even have to confuse myself by using my thumb.

Tinydancer · Guru

cadiver wrote:
I only count three myths.

I know it was less then nine I only had to use my fingers on one hand, I did not even have to confuse myself by using my thumb.

Haha...Now that was funny!

flan327 · Itty bitty's Grammy

lilyofcourse wrote:
Yep. During the day, fewer people are home. Neighborhoods are all but empty. No witnesses, no one to stop you or get in the way.

There is a door open in most houses. A front or side door, sliding doors. Even a second story door. Which ever offers the least resistance.

And all those pretty bushes and trees in front of a house make it so much easier.

If you teether electronics down, they are less likely to be stolen

And the easier it is to carry, the easier it is to steal.

Not in most CITY houses.

flan

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

Yes. Even there.

It's easy to walk into any street and find a door that is open in one or two houses.

flan327 · Itty bitty's Grammy

lilyofcourse wrote:
Yes. Even there.

It's easy to walk into any street and find a door that is open in one or two houses.

Nope.

flan

Tinydancer · Guru

I had a snarky comment but you're my new favorite poster.

Ohfour · Hooker

I guarantee that over half the houses in my subdivision are not locked. When we found this house, we drove over here and walked in. Now it wasn't occupied, but it had all the appliances, hard wood, and copper pipes. Its just not done here...

burns07 · Guru

some of the other links in this article are sort of common sense but some of them are downright dangerous

most professional thieves are going to hit a home in the daylight because the house will most likely be empty--there are definitely some steps to take if you come home and an intruder ( s ) are in your home--unless there's another human being in the house that requires your protection, leave--that's what insurance is for

but at night, the odds are considerably higher that an intruder is there to harm you or your loved ones--in that case, a very good piece of advice is this: whether you're armed or unarmed, don't go looking for them--make them come to you--arm yourself, call 911 and wait

there are exceptions, of course, but in general, in the dark, you have the advantage--you know the house layout, they don't

be safe

flan327 · Itty bitty's Grammy

Do you honestly expect me to believe that people in NYC, Chicago, LA, Miami, etc. routinely leave their doors unlocked? Then they're stupid.

My house doors are locked when I'm at home or gone. My car doors are locked when I'm parked in my driveway.

I like to protect the things that I worked hard to buy.

flan

flan327 · Itty bitty's Grammy

Ohfour wrote:
I guarantee that over half the houses in my subdivision are not locked. When we found this house, we drove over here and walked in. Now it wasn't occupied, but it had all the appliances, hard wood, and copper pipes. Its just not done here...

I just can't wrap my head around that, ohfour.

flan

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

flan327 wrote:
Do you honestly expect me to believe that people in NYC, Chicago, LA, Miami, etc. routinely leave their doors unlocked? Then they're stupid.

My house doors are locked when I'm at home or gone. My car doors are locked when I'm parked in my driveway.

I like to protect the things that I worked hard to buy.

flan

Yes. I do. Because it is true.

Walk into any neighborhood and start trying doors.

You'll find at least one in every third or fourthe house. A door, a window. Something will be unlocked.

ed11563 · Guru

burns07 wrote:

but at night, the odds are considerably higher that an intruder is there to harm you or your loved ones--in that case, a very good piece of advice is this: whether you're armed or unarmed, don't go looking for them--make them come to you--arm yourself, call 911 and wait.

be safe

We see this on tv very frequently, the homeowner hears a noise, picks up a golf club or equivalent (or even a pistol) and goes looking for the intruder.

The homeowner frequently gets killed.

It certainly make a lot more sense to pick a suitable place and prepare to ambush the intruder if / when he or she comes through a choke point, like your bedroom door.

And if you have a gun and a flashlight, set up the flashlight to shine on the doorway so you can see who is coming in ...

and if they DO intend harm, they will assume that the flashlight will be in your hand, so they will think they know where you are.

Surprise might be your only hope.

flan327 · Itty bitty's Grammy

lilyofcourse wrote:
flan327 wrote:
Do you honestly expect me to believe that people in NYC, Chicago, LA, Miami, etc. routinely leave their doors unlocked? Then they're stupid.

My house doors are locked when I'm at home or gone. My car doors are locked when I'm parked in my driveway.

I like to protect the things that I worked hard to buy.

flan
Yes. I do. Because it is true.
Walk into any neighborhood and start trying doors.
You'll find at least one in every third or fourthe house. A door, a window. Something will be unlocked.

I'm not going to take your word for it.

Even when I was growing up, we always locked our doors.

flan

cadiver · Senior Member

burns07 wrote:

some of the other links in this article are sort of common sense but some of them are downright dangerous

most professional thieves are going to hit a home in the daylight because the house will most likely be empty--there are definitely some steps to take if you come home and an intruder ( s ) are in your home--unless there's another human being in the house that requires your protection, leave--that's what insurance is for

but at night, the odds are considerably higher that an intruder is there to harm you or your loved ones--in that case, a very good piece of advice is this: whether you're armed or unarmed, don't go looking for them--make them come to you--arm yourself, call 911 and wait

there are exceptions, of course, but in general, in the dark, you have the advantage--you know the house layout, they don't

be safe

Another common sense, do not go out armed when the police arrive. there was just a news article where the police killed the owner when he came out of the house with his pistol.

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

flan327 wrote:
lilyofcourse wrote:
flan327 wrote:
Do you honestly expect me to believe that people in NYC, Chicago, LA, Miami, etc. routinely leave their doors unlocked? Then they're stupid.

My house doors are locked when I'm at home or gone. My car doors are locked when I'm parked in my driveway.

I like to protect the things that I worked hard to buy.

flan
Yes. I do. Because it is true.
Walk into any neighborhood and start trying doors.
You'll find at least one in every third or fourthe house. A door, a window. Something will be unlocked.
I'm not going to take your word for it.
Even when I was growing up, we always locked our doors.
flan

Did I say each and every house?

No. I didnt. But great job on taking a general comment personally. Again.

flan327 · Itty bitty's Grammy

lilyofcourse wrote:
flan327 wrote:
lilyofcourse wrote:
flan327 wrote:
Do you honestly expect me to believe that people in NYC, Chicago, LA, Miami, etc. routinely leave their doors unlocked? Then they're stupid.

My house doors are locked when I'm at home or gone. My car doors are locked when I'm parked in my driveway.

I like to protect the things that I worked hard to buy.

flan
Yes. I do. Because it is true.
Walk into any neighborhood and start trying doors.
You'll find at least one in every third or fourthe house. A door, a window. Something will be unlocked.
I'm not going to take your word for it.
Even when I was growing up, we always locked our doors.
flan
Did I say each and every house?
No. I didnt. But great job on taking a general comment personally. Again.

Lily, it wasn't a "general" comment. Read what you type.

flan

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

flan327 wrote:
lilyofcourse wrote:
flan327 wrote:
lilyofcourse wrote:
flan327 wrote:
Do you honestly expect me to believe that people in NYC, Chicago, LA, Miami, etc. routinely leave their doors unlocked? Then they're stupid.

My house doors are locked when I'm at home or gone. My car doors are locked when I'm parked in my driveway.

I like to protect the things that I worked hard to buy.

flan
Yes. I do. Because it is true.
Walk into any neighborhood and start trying doors.
You'll find at least one in every third or fourthe house. A door, a window. Something will be unlocked.
I'm not going to take your word for it.
Even when I was growing up, we always locked our doors.
flan
Did I say each and every house?
No. I didnt. But great job on taking a general comment personally. Again.

Lily, it wasn't a "general" comment. Read what you type.
flan

Yes it was.

Don't be ridiculous.

ed11563 · Guru

flan327 wrote:
Do you honestly expect me to believe that people in NYC, Chicago, LA, Miami, etc. routinely leave their doors unlocked? Then they're stupid.

My house doors are locked when I'm at home or gone. My car doors are locked when I'm parked in my driveway.

I like to protect the things that I worked hard to buy.

flan

I can believe that there are people who have a window or two that WON'T lock, or one with a lock that's so flimsy it is easily defeated.

Also in poor neighborhoods, some people don't have air conditioners, and leave windows all. the. time.

I also think that here in suburbia, there are people who think they are immune or invulnerable. Or they just don't think. Period.

And I know that in my middle class neighborhood, a guy carrying a clipboard can walk around houses trying doors and windows, and neighbors who see them will think they "must be okay because he's carrying a clipboard". (This from the guy with rifles and shotguns in a in his sun room.)

And there are people who critical of people who always lock up. "You're paranoid. I wouldn't want to live like that."

karl271 · Guru

I am with Flan. Our doors are always locked except when we are going through them. The windows are closed and locked when we are gone. The car is always locked. Started to do this when I lived in San Francisco and just kept it up. In Tokyo, it is a good idea, despite the reputation that this is a completely safe society...

To the best of my knowledge our neighbors here are also the "lock it up" type. No, I have not tried the doors of every house within a couple of miles, but that is because I do not want the police to pay me a call....

NAOW · Vette's SS

I think a lot of people here leave doors unlocked. I don't. I used to until I had kids.

flan327 · Itty bitty's Grammy

We live in a suburb of Indy, which has unfortunately gone downhill in the 26 years I've lived here. There is a huge apartment complex within walking distance & teens roam the streets when the weather gets warm.

There are also areas of the city that I avoid, whether it's light or not.

It's called "taking reasonable precautions for your safety."

flan

chef · Guru

I do not leave my door, windows, or vehicle unlocked. My area is safe but very urban and not an "insulated" community. I would have no problem walking around my neighborhood at any hour and would feel safe doing so. But, I'm not stupid and I won't ignore that it's very easy for people to walk in off the street and cause mayhem.

Nobody Just Nobody · Rib-it! Rrrib-it!

A lot of people in our neighborhood leave their doors unlocked.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

I know lots of people who never lock their doors. I lock mine - but once you've been the victim of a break-in that's usually something you learn.

Of course, the first break-in I ever experienced, I was about 8. It was night, the doors were locked, but a window was not. My mother woke up with a strange man standing at the foot of her bed. Luckily, she was a crocheter and had scissors on the nightstand. She grabbed them and the guy ran out. I woke up to a police flashlight in my face. Know how brave the guy was? Mom packed us up and took us across the street to the neighbors house. While we were over there, the guy came back at 5:00 am and stole the TV. We had JUST moved in the week before. We moved again immediately.

flan327 · Itty bitty's Grammy

LL, that's so scary.

Glad your mom had those scissors.

flan

chillepeppa · Regular

Round here, you have a death wish if you don't lock yourself away, specially at night, AND, if you got burgled, and the insurance company found that you did not do all in your power to prevent it, the least of which is to lock doors and windows, there is a good chance they will deny your claim for reimbursement of goods stolen.

flan327 · Itty bitty's Grammy

chillepeppa wrote:
Round here, you have a death wish if you don't lock yourself away, specially at night, AND, if you got burgled, and the insurance company found that you did not do all in your power to prevent it, the least of which is to lock doors and windows, there is a good chance they will deny your claim for reimbursement of goods stolen.

I wondered about that, chille.

How can it be a "break in" if the door wasn't locked?

flan

chillepeppa · Regular

flan327 wrote:
chillepeppa wrote:
Round here, you have a death wish if you don't lock yourself away, specially at night, AND, if you got burgled, and the insurance company found that you did not do all in your power to prevent it, the least of which is to lock doors and windows, there is a good chance they will deny your claim for reimbursement of goods stolen.
I wondered about that, chille.
How can it be a "break in" if the door wasn't locked?
flan

It's at a point that if there is no sign of forced entry, it can be considered a fraudulent claim. Most insurance companies will, however, find the most stupidest, most mundane reasons not to pay out.

We not only lock the doors, we have full perimeter electric fencing, electric gates and alarmed motion detecting beams in the yard. All this brings down not only our monthly insurance fee but our deductible too.

flan327 · Itty bitty's Grammy

chillepeppa wrote:
flan327 wrote:
chillepeppa wrote:
Round here, you have a death wish if you don't lock yourself away, specially at night, AND, if you got burgled, and the insurance company found that you did not do all in your power to prevent it, the least of which is to lock doors and windows, there is a good chance they will deny your claim for reimbursement of goods stolen.
I wondered about that, chille.
How can it be a "break in" if the door wasn't locked?
flan
It's at a point that if there is no sign of forced entry, it can be considered a fraudulent claim. Most insurance companies will, however, find the most stupidest, most mundane reasons not to pay out.
We not only lock the doors, we have full perimeter electric fencing, electric gates and alarmed motion detecting beams in the yard. All this brings down not only our monthly insurance fee but our deductible too.

DH bought a security system a few years ago, but we don't use it as much as we should.

Our BEST security system is 3 dogs.

flan

chillepeppa · Regular

flan327 wrote:
chillepeppa wrote:
flan327 wrote:
chillepeppa wrote:
Round here, you have a death wish if you don't lock yourself away, specially at night, AND, if you got burgled, and the insurance company found that you did not do all in your power to prevent it, the least of which is to lock doors and windows, there is a good chance they will deny your claim for reimbursement of goods stolen.
I wondered about that, chille.
How can it be a "break in" if the door wasn't locked?
flan
It's at a point that if there is no sign of forced entry, it can be considered a fraudulent claim. Most insurance companies will, however, find the most stupidest, most mundane reasons not to pay out.
We not only lock the doors, we have full perimeter electric fencing, electric gates and alarmed motion detecting beams in the yard. All this brings down not only our monthly insurance fee but our deductible too.
DH bought a security system a few years ago, but we don't use it as much as we should.
Our BEST security system is 3 dogs.
flan

Our dogs are a joke. We have 2 huskies, but bring them a juicy snack and you can have whatever the hell you want. They only react dog-like when other dogs 'threaten' (i.e. look at) their territory.

Spoiler

Fort Worth Mom · Mod/Penguin lover/Princess!

Cute dogs, Chille! smile

flan327 · Itty bitty's Grammy

Get Dachshunds, chille!

flan

Tinydancer · Guru

I think a burglar stole the six other common myths because they only list three.

chillepeppa · Regular

Thanx FWM smile

Flan, we've decided once the Huskies 'move to the farm', we'll be done with pets for the time being. They are both going on 10 now, and the grey one's already had his first knee surgery. His back is riddled with arthritis, so his quality of life is starting to deteriorate. Lallas is still going strong though. It's like she just does not seem to age. She's lovely. A real madam, that one.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

Our new house will have a security system. Up to now - we've had the dog.

flan327 · Itty bitty's Grammy

Lawyerlady wrote:
Our new house will have a security system. Up to now - we've had the dog.

Our house was broken into 5 or 6 years ago when we were on vacation and the dogs were in a kennel. Since then, I insist on paying for a housesitter.

flan

Renegade Time Lord · Am I A Good Man?

I have lived in my current apartment for 8 years. In that time, I have had two attempted B&Es. I live on the ground floor. The neighborhood is a mix of businesses and residences, and unfortunately has a large homeless population as well as a higher number of crimes committed than one would think. I do not walk around my neighborhood at night unless I am armed in some way. There are random people wandering the streets at all hours of the day as well, and I have been approached and asked for items on several occasions. I always lock my doors. Whoever lived there before me had installed two slide locks on the front door, one of them at the bottom, out of reach of a hand through the window next to the door. The side door has three chain slide locks, two of them out of the reach of a hand through the window next to the door. Both doors have a deadbolt.

One attempted B&E took place at midnight while I was asleep, from the side door in the kitchen. They cut the screen and tried to get through the door, managing to undo one chain lock. The deadbolt and other two chain locks were fine. My unfortunate neighbor upstairs ended up being the victim when she decided to take out her trash and put it on the curb at the time they were trying to get into my apartment (they were right under the stairs to her apartment). She did not lock her door, and it took the burglars less than 30 seconds to grab her purse from the kitchen table. The second happened during the day. Someone slashed the screen and tried to lift the sash window far enough to get into my bedroom. Fortunately there are rods at the top of the window on the inside that only allow the window to open about 6 inches, so the burglars were unable to gain entry. The only thing the owners did is put up motion sensor lights around the building.

When I had my car, no one ever attempted to break into it. But then, it was a 1987 Chevy Celebrity and a bit of a beater. I still locked the doors, however. I had that car for 25+ years and still miss it to this day.

I have not had to use any weapons to defend myself at my current residence, but I have been attacked living elsewhere. And did what I had to do to avoid bodily harm to me. I would like to move to another part of the city I feel more comfortable living in, but rents are nearly double what I pay right now for my apartment. So right now, it is shoot first, ask questions later. (Oh, and for those who think they are being helpful by suggesting it, no, my place does not allow any pets. Thank you.) smile

Lexxy · My dog name is Sasha, too!

I live in suburbia & never lock my car doors. I sometimes forget to lock my front door. Recently there have been several burglaries in the neighborhood so now I have a leftover piece of hardwood wedges in my basement slider so hopefully it can't be popped. I have a bar in the kitchen slider that I now use & I obsessively check to make sure the front door is locked.

Ohfour · Hooker

We have an alarm system, but only because we could not insure G's stuff without one...

Lexxy · My dog name is Sasha, too!

I had an alarm system when I first moved in but I got it for fire not theft. I never set it & eventually didn't even know what the keypad code was. The damn thing went haywire when I tried to change the batteries in the smoke part & I couldn't shut it off. They couldn't shut it off. I ripped all the wires out of it & cancelled the service.

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

Our house has never been burglarized.

I've found doors wide open when I have come home from school or work.

It usually isn't a big deal.

I do know from personal experience about finding unlocked doors.

flan327 · Itty bitty's Grammy

Lily,

We get it. I'm guessing that you used to rob houses when you were younger.

flan

FNW · Guru

I haven't lived without an alarm system since our house was broken into when I was 16. Even when I rented, I bought and installed wireless portable systems.

When we were first married, we lived in an urban condo. Mr. FNW left the front door unlocked all the time. He grew up in small town USA and is still not used to locking it. Drives me crazy. But, I always make sure the alarm is on and I have the chime turned on (now that boys are no longer napping) so when a door or window opens, it chirps.

The parents of a friend of mine had a burglar a few weeks ago. A jewelry theft ring...he was pulling weeds at his mailbox while the burglars went in through an unlocked side door. Heck, I lock the door when I go to the curb to get the mail. Personally, locking up has become second nature but I understand that some, probably most, are like my husband and don't give it a second thought.

flan327 · Itty bitty's Grammy

FNW wrote:
I haven't lived without an alarm system since our house was broken into when I was 16. Even when I rented, I bought and installed wireless portable systems.

When we were first married, we lived in an urban condo. Mr. FNW left the front door unlocked all the time. He grew up in small town USA and is still not used to locking it. Drives me crazy. But, I always make sure the alarm is on and I have the chime turned on (now that boys are no longer napping) so when a door or window opens, it chirps.

The parents of a friend of mine had a burglar a few weeks ago. A jewelry theft ring...he was pulling weeds at his mailbox while the burglars went in through an unlocked side door. Heck, I lock the door when I go to the curb to get the mail. Personally, locking up has become second nature but I understand that some, probably most, are like my husband and don't give it a second thought.

Okay, I don't do that.

flan

FNW · Guru

I have ever since that weirdo showed up at our door that night.

Also, if someone comes to the door and I don't know who it is, I don't answer it, but I make noise and movement so they know I'm home. Why? Because one time my mother was sitting on the toilet (TMI) when the doorbell rang and the next thing she knew, her alarm went off as someone tried to come in through the back door. Police say they ring the bell, if no one answers, they assume no one is home and break in. And I grew up in the surburbs. With a dog. Who was whacked over the head. Other dogs are fed steak laced with poison. Really, if a burglar has a target, no animal is going to keep them away.

flan327 · Itty bitty's Grammy

FNW wrote:
I have ever since that weirdo showed up at our door that night.

Also, if someone comes to the door and I don't know who it is, I don't answer it, but I make noise and movement so they know I'm home. Why? Because one time my mother was sitting on the toilet (TMI) when the doorbell rang and the next thing she knew, her alarm went off as someone tried to come in through the back door. Police say they ring the bell, if no one answers, they assume no one is home and break in. And I grew up in the surburbs. With a dog. Who was whacked over the head. Other dogs are fed steak laced with poison. Really, if a burglar has a target, no animal is going to keep them away.

I agree, but if it's teenage punks, they'll hopefully move on to a house with no dogs.

The kids who broke into our house ate Hot Pockets & drank Coke!

flan

FNW · Guru

Ours were on parole from the California Youth Authority, armed, and convicted murderers.

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

flan327 wrote:
Lily,

We get it. I'm guessing that you used to rob houses when you were younger.

flan

No. But I know from personal experience. And I use to know someone who did.

Look. People like to think they are safe cause "they live in a nice neighborhood".

Truth is, the nicer the neighborhood, the less secure the homes.

TOTALLY GEEKED!

9 Common Burglary Myths Debunked

When do Break Ins Occur?

How Does a Burglar Break In?

What is Most Often Stolen?