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Original poster

Please tell me your top tips to reduce the chances of being burgled

40 replies

morelippy · 17/09/2023 16:25

We're going away in a couple of weeks and I'm already anxious about leaving our house empty. A neighbour was recently burgled and it's really unnerved me.

Added to things we're coming towards the end of a renovation and have no curtains. Would you cover the windows (so day and night) or leave open?

We have lights on timers, cameras and good neighbours if that helps.

OP posts:
sjj28358 · 17/09/2023 16:32

The curtain dilemma has been an issue for me ever since our cat died and we no longer need someone coming in twice day day (used to ask cat feeder to open / close). Curtains closed in the day or open at night with lights on do look noticeable.

I've now had half height plantation shutters fitted on our sash windows which I leave in the shut position when we are away.

Could you ask a neighbour to come in and pull them twice a day? Maybe a local teen? I'd do it for £3 a day.

Other than that leave a radio on a timer to come on an off during the day. A talking programme maybe?

Original poster
morelippy · 17/09/2023 16:34

@sjj28358 we only have newspapers up at the moment.

OP posts:
Clarabellawilliamson · 17/09/2023 16:35

My parents have this security light that sort of flickers, from outside it looks like you have a tv on. They put it on a timer in an upstairs room.

GrazingSheep · 17/09/2023 16:35

Have you a monitored house alarm?

Original poster
morelippy · 17/09/2023 16:36

No house alarm.

The flickering light is intriguing...

OP posts:
Theforeverhome · 17/09/2023 16:38

Are your timers set for specific times? If so, it might be better to buy some that work randomly. We’ve got Tapo smart plugs which do this. Radio on timer upstairs too.

Ask your neighbours to check that nothing is sticking out of the post box.

Laburnam · 17/09/2023 16:40

Proper house alarm is really the best deterrent

Needapadlockonmyfridge · 17/09/2023 16:40

Security cameras-, assuming you have WiFi?

About £20 on amazon, and you can monitor them from your phone.

Original poster
morelippy · 17/09/2023 16:41

@Theforeverhome we have Tapo but they don't have a 'random' option but I can change the daily times to vary. Good idea, thank you.

OP posts:
BibbleandSqwauk · 17/09/2023 16:41

Ask someone to use your driveway so it's not empty all the time and a neighbour to put your bin out and return it.

You do really need some human input to fully "fake" occupancy I would say.

fiddlesticksandotherwords · 17/09/2023 16:43

Don't do what one of my friends does and post endlessly about their holiday on Facebook, starting with the departure lounge at the airport. You don't want to advertise your absence to all and sundry.

viviscool · 17/09/2023 16:43

ring door bell. leave a car on your driveway. (see if a neighbour can park their car if you're taking yours on holiday), beware of the dog sticker in front window (even if you've just got a goldfish!), ask neighbour to push post through in case it's left sticking out,

SpicyNoodleSoup · 17/09/2023 16:43

I would just get some timer plugs and plug lamps into them. Then set them to go on and off during the night to make it look like someone is home.
Other option is a ring door bell on your front door. We put one in after an attempted burglary and it has helped me relax more as I can check any strange noises or just keep an eye on things when away.

CantHaveTooMuchChocolate · 17/09/2023 16:44

I’d recommend an alarm that contacts you remotely if triggered, so you can check your cctv. It will also act as a deterrent, and give you more peace of mind. Mine also lets me alarm remotely via the app too, as I’m always forgetting lol

Duvetdweller · 17/09/2023 16:48

Unless you have a high end car I wouldn’t worry. I know of about 5 people who have been robbed over summer and in every case the only thing taken has been cars. My friend’s house was turned upside down and they left Rolex’s etc. The police said the only thing they were after was the car keys (range rover and BMW).

minipie · 17/09/2023 16:48

Cut back any bushes etc that hide the entrance to your house. Install a movement sensor light.

BeyondMyWits · 17/09/2023 16:50

A network of neighbours. We all "do" for each other when one in our cul-de-sac is away. Park on each others' drives, open and close curtains, bins in and out, feed cats and little animals. Even cut the grass if anyone is away over a week. Pays dividends, lowers risk of burglary. Cultivate those neighbourly relationships!

Onthisproject · 17/09/2023 16:51

fiddlesticksandotherwords · 17/09/2023 16:43

Don't do what one of my friends does and post endlessly about their holiday on Facebook, starting with the departure lounge at the airport. You don't want to advertise your absence to all and sundry.

She's close friends with burglars is she??

I'm always baffled when people make this daft comment.

bonzaitree · 17/09/2023 17:08

Put timers on lights, make sure everything is insured. Maybe put a doggie cam up so you can check on holiday.

Then forget it and have a good time!

Toddler101 · 17/09/2023 17:15

Onthisproject · 17/09/2023 16:51

She's close friends with burglars is she??

I'm always baffled when people make this daft comment.

Show quote history

Not everyone has their social media posts or content visible to 'friends only' unfortunately, so not necessarily a daft comment.

sadaboutmycat · 17/09/2023 17:16

fiddlesticksandotherwords
Don't do what one of my friends does and post endlessly about their holiday on Facebook, starting with the departure lounge at the airport. You don't want to advertise your absence to all and sundry.

She's close friends with burglars is she??

Many people don't have privacy settings on their accounts, so yes would be burglars can and do go through Facebook accounts.

Onthisproject · 17/09/2023 17:37

Toddler101 · 17/09/2023 17:15

Not everyone has their social media posts or content visible to 'friends only' unfortunately, so not necessarily a daft comment.

Show quote history

But if I post a pic of me in an airport lounge as I leave for Benidorm how will anyone be any the wiser as to where I live?

CharSiu · 17/09/2023 17:51

@Onthisproject I assume your family name is right there? It is incredibly easy to find anyone if you know their name. Are you on the electoral roll? Easy to find your address. Even down to posting maybe a picture taken near your house.

Onthisproject · 17/09/2023 18:36

CharSiu · 17/09/2023 17:51

@Onthisproject I assume your family name is right there? It is incredibly easy to find anyone if you know their name. Are you on the electoral roll? Easy to find your address. Even down to posting maybe a picture taken near your house.

My name is so bog standard you wouldn't believe, bit like Anne Smith. Good luck to anyone who wants to try and find out where I live! I only have good friends on my FB so hoping they won't share my details with their dodgy burglar mates.

A passing burglar is far more likely to break in, in fact it happened to us about 25 years ago when we were asleep in bed, not nice!

Toddler101 · 17/09/2023 21:06

Onthisproject · 17/09/2023 17:37

But if I post a pic of me in an airport lounge as I leave for Benidorm how will anyone be any the wiser as to where I live?

Show quote history

Potentially - depends what scrolling through your other social media posts show to paint a picture!