Do curtains deter burglars?

Asked by: Dr. Gonzalo Wolf  |  Last update: October 2, 2022
Score: 4.1/5 (69 votes)

Covering your windows with blinds or curtains can prevent burglars from evaluating whether or not it's worth the effort. It's better to get full-coverage draperies. We know translucent curtains are pretty, but they don't fully protect your home.

What is the biggest deterrent to burglars?

With that in mind, let's take a look at the top ten burglar deterrents to use in 2021:
  1. Home Security Cameras. ...
  2. Outdoor Lighting. ...
  3. Smart Video Doorbell Cameras. ...
  4. Dogs. ...
  5. Security Gates. ...
  6. Keeping Open Spaces Around Your Home. ...
  7. An Alarm System. ...
  8. Get Friendly With Your Neighbors.

How can I make my house less attractive to burglars?

There are multiple simple ways to deter burglars; exterior lighting, blinds or curtains, and decluttering your landscaping can all help make your house less attractive to burglars.

Should you leave your curtains open or closed?

Whether to keep curtains open or closed is always a tricky decision. Leaving them closed during the day makes it look like there's no one at home so best to leave them open and get security lighting. Try not to leave valuable items, such as your TV, stereo or computer, where thieves can see them.

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.

Retired Burglar Reveals How You Should Protect Your House From Getting Robbed

23 related questions found

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 burglaries occur?

The most common times for break-ins occur between 10 am and 3 pm. Rather than being guarded by night, most burglars choose the daytime to attempt a break-in, targeting homes when they believe no one will be present.

Is it safe to leave curtains open at night?

Prevent possible lewd behaviors by keeping your curtains closed. It is best to close your curtains at night when you are located near the ground floor or adjacent buildings. If you're located in an unsafe area, keep your curtains closed at all times to prevent attracting burglars.

Why you shouldn't close your blinds during the day?

According to Arthur Murray, Managing Editor of Choose Energy, the sun is a natural furnace and if you keep blinds open during the day, especially on south-facing windows, your room's temperature will raise naturally, keeping you more comfortable and cutting down on the time that your furnace needs to be working.

When should you close your curtains?

Closing your curtains at dusk is the easiest way to save energy. If you want to save even more energy and don't mind a bit of leg work and spending a little bit of money, then there are other options. Lining your curtains with thermal lining material is one of the best ways to keep heat from escaping from your windows.

What do burglars steal the most?

Jewellery, consumer electronics like phones, tablets and laptops as well as portable hardware tools and equipment all rank highly as stolen goods claimed under insurance[1]. A distressing trend is the increase in burglars targeting homes to steal car keys.

Why do burglars avoid corner homes?

Any house that's secluded may also be a target. Corner homes are iffy. They allow thieves to scope the area (including your habits) easily by simply driving by and naturally slowing or stopping for a turn. Depending on your neighborhood's layout, they may also be less visible to neighbors and police.

How likely is it for someone to break into your house?

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.

Where do burglars not look?

Freezer. If you've thought of the freezer as a sneaky hiding spot, chances are a robber has, too. A burglar won't rummage through your entire stack of frozen peas and fish sticks, but if you leave your treasures in something out-of-place, such as a sock, the thief will be onto you.

How do you keep your house safe at night?

Here are 11 easy ways to secure your home
  1. Secure the doors.
  2. Lock the windows.
  3. Light up the landscape.
  4. Set up a security system.
  5. Don't forget the garage.
  6. Lock down your Wi-Fi network.
  7. Eliminate hiding places.
  8. Add security cameras.

How do you stop thieves at night?

10 Burglar Deterrents That Work
  1. Install a Burglar Alarm System. ...
  2. Motion-Activated Outdoor Lighting. ...
  3. Get a Guard Dog. ...
  4. Maintain Surrounding Landscape. ...
  5. Multiple Door Locks. ...
  6. Install a CCTV Surveillance System. ...
  7. Internal Timer-Operated Lighting. ...
  8. Double Glazing Security Glass.

Why you should open your curtains?

Opening your window curtains more often is probably a good idea as a new study by researchers at the University of Oregon found that dark rooms held 12 percent living and actively reproductive bacteria, almost twice as much as the 6.8 percent present in rooms that were exposed to daylight, and the 6.1 percent in rooms ...

Should blinds be turned up or down for privacy?

Turn your blinds up. This direction is better for improved privacy too, as minimized gaps between the slats don't allow curious passersby to view the inside of the house.

Is it better to keep curtains closed in winter?

Close your curtains at night

During the day, your windows let in more radiant energy than gets out; sunlight can enter through the glass, but the window is opaque to the infrared radiation trying to escape.

Why should you close your blinds at night?

Closing window blinds can also save energy in the winter. During cold winter nights, heat is lost through windows. Closing the blinds adds some insulation to the windows, reducing heat loss during cold periods. Some blinds also reflect heat back into the room.

When should you open your curtains?

Generally speaking, you should open your windows if it's cooler outside than in. There's no 'set rule' for keeping windows open or closed during a bout of hot weather.

What to do if you're home alone and someone breaks in?

  1. Quickly verify their presence. Time is of the essence, so be quick about checking. ...
  2. Stay calm. ...
  3. Determine if you can escape. ...
  4. Stay put if you can't escape. ...
  5. Call the police. ...
  6. Keep quiet and follow instructions. ...
  7. Take notes immediately afterward.

How do most burglars break into homes?

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.

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.

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.