Do burglars look in the attic?

Asked by: Ms. Vivien Weissnat III  |  Last update: September 29, 2022
Score: 4.5/5 (54 votes)

Your attic is not likely to be visited by a burglar because they are usually hard to find and access. So, it is always a good idea to store valuables in attic storage containers. As an extra safety precaution make sure to mark them with labels like “winter clothes” or “old shoes” to throw a burglar off of your scent.

Where do burglars look first?

Burglars said families should avoid hiding valuables in living room drawers and dressers, pots and pans and locked safes that are not secured to the floor or wall - as these are the places thieves search first.

What makes a house attractive to burglars?

Burglars love looking in your windows. They're looking for signs that you're home or gaming systems they'd like. Burglars will drive or walk through your neighborhood at night, before you close the blinds, just to pick their targets.

Where do most burglars enter the home?

How Do Burglars Break into Houses?
  • Front door: 34% of burglars twist the doorknob and walk right in.
  • First-floor windows: 23% use a first-floor open window to break into your home.
  • Back door: 22% come in through the back door.
  • Garage doors: 9% gain entrance through the garage.

What rooms do burglars target?

About 75 percent of burglars revealed that the bedroom was the first place they'd look for things to steal. Meanwhile, 26 percent said they'd check in an office or study, and 19 percent said the living room would be top on their lists (the burglars could choose more than one answer).

15+ Unusual Tricks to Make Burglars Stay Away from Your House

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Which houses do burglars avoid?

How burglars choose a mark
  • Nobody is home.
  • Wealthier neighborhoods.
  • A tall fence.
  • Homes in the middle of the block, as opposed to corner lots.
  • Overgrown shrubs and trees that conceal doors or windows.
  • Expensive cars.
  • The absence of a security system, especially security cameras.

What houses are more likely to be robbed?

Not surprisingly, on average, homes that are burglarized tend to be homes that have no dogs. Large dogs may present a physical threat, but don't count ankle-biters out. They bark and attract a lot of attention. For those who do strike at night, poor lighting makes it harder for neighbors to see what they're doing.

Does leaving a light on at night deter burglars?

Do security lights deter burglars? Yes, they can. Light makes it hard for them to conceal their identity, so they are more likely to find a darker home.

What time do most break-ins happen at night?

Thieves Tend to Break In Between 10 AM and 3 PM

Movie after movie depicts thieves sneaking into houses under the cover of darkness. But, as noted in When Do Most Burglaries Occur?

How can you tell if a house is being targeted?

Signs a Burglar is Watching Your House
  • Strange Cars Parked in Your Neighborhood. ...
  • Strangers Walking Down Your Street. ...
  • People Pretending to Conduct a Survey. ...
  • People Pretending to Sell You Something. ...
  • Strangers With an Emergency or in Need of Help. ...
  • Strangers Taking Pictures of Your Home. ...
  • Random Flyers Showing Up on Your Door.

How do robbers choose their victims?

The four main ways a burglar will choose their job include the following: Look for vulnerable folks (elderly, those living alone, easy targets, etc.) Opportunistic (very little forethought or planning) Desirability of property (smarter criminals)

How do thieves mark a house?

Burglars have been known to 'mark' houses of interest as a reminder to themselves and as a signal to accomplices. This could be a graffiti symbol, a small dot of paint, or a piece of string tied to your fence.

How do you scare burglars away?

Get More Tips
  1. Don't advertise big buys. An empty computer or television carton left on the curb is a flag to crooks. ...
  2. Ask for a reference. Before hiring anyone, get personal recommendations. ...
  3. Keep your mail out of reach. ...
  4. Stay well-trimmed. ...
  5. Get a virtual pet. ...
  6. Call the police. ...
  7. Know your neighbors.

What are the odds of someone breaking into your home?

What are the odds of your house being burgled? The FBI crime report expects one in every 36 homes in the US to experience a burglary.

Do burglars look under the bed?

“That's where you have your clothes, your jewelry, your extra cash, your weapons, your prescriptions—anything of value.” Hiding things under the mattress is one of the oldest tricks in the book, so a thief will likely check there for hidden treasures, he says. That might be why this is the first room burglars check.

Do burglars go upstairs?

The burglars will thieve whatever they can get their hands on, be it jewellery, electronics or trainers. Assuming no one's in, “The burglar will search the downstairs very quickly, and they'll search upstairs even quicker because nobody likes being trapped upstairs.

Do burglars hurt you?

Fortunately, unlike movies, most burglars are looking to steal your belongings, not harm you. It's still pretty terrifying, though, to wake up in the middle of the night and realize someone else is in your house—and one can't exactly read a burglar's mind or know his or her intentions.

How can I make my house less likely to be robbed?

Here are 10 ways to make your home unattractive to burglars:
  1. Think like a crook. Look for places that get dark at night, that have access or aren't easily visible to neighbors or from the street. ...
  2. Trim shrubbery. ...
  3. Shine a light. ...
  4. Be alarming. ...
  5. Keep 'em guessing. ...
  6. Be a good neighbor. ...
  7. Look out below. ...
  8. Deny access.

How long do burglars stay in a house?

The average burglar takes less than a minute to break into your home and overall 8 to 12 minutes to get out again. In the first minute, the burglar lurks outside your property, looking for signs that there is no one there and assessing whether your house is a good target.

Should I sleep with my porch light on or off?

When You Go to Bed. While you're home at night, it's a good idea to keep your lights on. However, as soon as you're ready to go to bed for the evening, you should be mindful and turn your lights off. You should treat your porch light the same as you would any other room in the house.

Do dogs prevent burglaries?

A Dog's Protection Only Goes So Far

The warning signs of a dog on the property may deter some intruders, but this doesn't work on all burglars. Savvy or brash criminals may not be fazed by the presence of a dog and might try to distract them.

Should you sleep with porch light on?

Beyond just turning it on briefly when you're expecting someone or when you're running in and out at night on your property, it's fine to leave your porch light burning throughout the evening if you're home and indoor lights are on.

Who is most likely to commit burglary?

Burglars are most likely to be male and under 25 years old. 85% of break ins are by amateurs and done out of desperation, which some might suggest makes them more dangerous.

Do burglars avoid homes with alarms?

Alarms help deter burglars

The majority (60%) of the burglars in the study said they would look for an alarm before robbing a house, and if an alarm system were present, most would move along to another target.

Does ring doorbell deter burglars?

One of the best ways to deter burglars is with motion-activated lighting/camera combos. Ring offers affordable and highly effective options in their Spotlight Cam and Floodlight Cam. Other security cameras with built-in LED lights include Arlo and Nest Cam.