Why Burglars Target Homes With Ring Doorbells: Home Security Truths
Unpack why burglars might actually like homes with Ring doorbells. Learn hidden risks, how thieves exploit them, and practical tips to outsmart burglars.
Burglar Tactics: What They Do and How to Beat Them
Ever wonder why some houses get hit while yours stays safe? Most burglars follow a playbook. They spot easy entry points, watch routines, and use tools that anyone can buy. Knowing their moves lets you lock the doors before they even think about trying. Below you’ll find the tactics most thieves use and the cheap, practical steps you can take right now.
Common Burglar Tactics
1. “Low‑and‑slow” probing: Thieves walk the block, testing doors and windows for flimsy locks or cracked frames. They note which homes have lights on at different times and which have junk in the yard that could hide a break‑in.
2. “Forced entry” with basic tools: A crowbar, a screwdriver, or even a sturdy broom handle can pry an unlocked back door. Most burglars avoid the front door because it’s usually visible and better secured.
3. “Social engineering”: They’ll ring the doorbell, claim to be a delivery driver, or ask to use the phone. While you’re distracted, an accomplice slips in through a side window.
4. “Window smash and grab”: A single pane of glass on the ground floor is a green light. Thieves smash it, grab valuables, and leave before anyone hears the break.
5. “Alarm hunting”: Some burglars watch for flashing lights or sirens, then wait for a homeowner to reset the system. They know many alarm panels can be silenced with a simple code.
Practical Defences Against Each Tactic
Start with the easiest wins. Reinforce all ground‑floor doors with a deadbolt and a short, sturdy strike plate. A simple metal plate on the frame stops a crowbar from levering the door open.
Upgrade any single‑pane windows with a transparent security film or a secondary lock. The film holds shattered glass together, buying you minutes to call the police.
Install motion‑sensor lights around the perimeter. A bright flash when someone walks by makes the “low‑and‑slow” scout think twice. Pair the lights with a cheap battery‑powered camera; you’ll have footage even if the internet drops.
Use a video doorbell that records locally and sends alerts to your phone. When a stranger rings, you can talk without opening the door, and the camera captures any accomplice trying to slip in.
Finally, keep your alarm code private and change it if you suspect someone saw you type it. A backup keypad hidden inside a drawer gives you a way to arm the system even if the main panel is tampered with.
These steps don’t need a full‑time security guard, but they turn your home from an easy target into a hard one. Thieves usually move on when the effort outweighs the reward. By making the simple changes above, you raise that effort and keep your belongings safe.
