Do burglars look under the bed? (2023)

Where do burglars look first?

Aside from the master bedroom, the office or study is one of the first places burglars check for valuables. Like the living room, some people have the habit of displaying valuables in their study shelves or office. That well-earned diamond necklace can serve as a motivation for you to work harder.

When you think of an intruder breaking into your home, you most likely imagine them sneaking in the middle of the night when you're sleeping. In reality, it is quite the opposite. Research suggests that most burglars break in during the day, typically between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. on weekdays.

For this reason, burglars usually avoid two story homes, since these items will more than likely be upstairs in the master bedroom and burglars like to minimize the time they stay in a home. For this same reason, burglars usually avoid apartments located on the higher floors.

Leaving on lights at all times doesn't seem to be an effective way to deter crimes. With a little planning and some home automation equipment, you can use lighting to your advantage and get better peace of mind.

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.

Like most phobias, kleptophobia can be successfully treated using a range of techniques. Exposure therapies, particularly systematic desensitization, are first-line choice and most effective. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) may help people learn to stop your negative self-talk and think more logically about theft.

Thieves Tend to Break In Between 10 AM and 3 PM

Surprised that intruders choose to break-in during the daytime versus night? Movie after movie depicts thieves sneaking into houses under the cover of darkness.

What houses are more likely to be robbed?

Homes on the outskirts of neighborhoods are more vulnerable, because fewer neighbors will be able to see if a crime is being committed. This includes dead-end streets, cul-de-sacs and locations with few outlets. Any house that's secluded may also be a target. Corner homes are iffy.

Someone may not have stolen anything because they either got scared or didn't find anything to grab. If the burglar thought someone was coming, they wouldn't have time to take anything. If you hide your items well, they may not have found anything to steal in the first place.

They often pick a house by surveilling the neighborhood and finding the one with the most predictable patterns of when people come and go. They also look for properties in more rural or isolated parts of the neighborhood, and houses that are well maintained or have fancy cars in the driveway.

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.

The likelihood of falling victim to burglary varies not only by month but also, would you believe it, by day of the week! According to cooperative insurer's research theft is most likely to occur on a Friday. Around 40% of break ins occur during the day whilst 60% take place during the evening or at night.

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.

If you hear a noise that sounds like someone breaking in or moving around, quietly call the police and wait calmly until they arrive. If you can leave safely, do so. Otherwise, lock yourself in a room, or, if the intruder enters the room you are in, pretend to be asleep.

Look for vulnerable folks (elderly, those living alone, easy targets, etc.) Opportunistic (very little forethought or planning) Desirability of property (smarter criminals) Casing the property (usually over days or weeks before the break in)

Do burglars prefer empty houses?

Burglars are more likely to target homes that are “routinely vacant during the day.” A serious thief may watch your home for a few days to confirm that you are gone for work before breaking in. Other burglars may just casually knock on the front door to confirm no one is home.

When you're home at night. This is a good time to leave the porch light on. It alerts burglars to your presence, particularly if indoor lights are on too. The porch light also acts as a spotlight on the front door.

Even small dogs may make enough noise to scare away intruders, though. "Research shows that 'occupancy cues' like dogs are major deterrents in attempts to burglarize homes," says K. Campbell, a certified protection professional. "In fact, the research reveals that dogs of any size are effective.

Ring promises to “make neighborhoods safer” by deterring and helping to solve crimes, citing its own research that says an installation of its doorbell cameras reduces burglaries by more than 50 percent.

You should call the police right away. Keep the operator on the phone until police gets there. If you have the ability to turn on outside lights from inside your house, do so, preferably at a time when the trespasser can see the lights turn on.

Noun. hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia (uncountable) (humorous) The fear of long words.

Kleptophobia (or cleptophobia) is an irrational fear of stealing (theft) or of being robbed. This fear is often caused by a traumatic experience in the past, such as being a victim of robbery. Sufferers may face isolation, low self-esteem, depression, and other anxiety disorders.

basophobia (uncountable) Inability to walk or stand erect, due to emotional causes. quotations ▼

Burglars are more likely to target homes that are “routinely vacant during the day.” A serious thief may watch your home for a few days to confirm that you are gone for work before breaking in. Other burglars may just casually knock on the front door to confirm no one is home.

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.

Leaving on lights at all times doesn't seem to be an effective way to deter crimes. With a little planning and some home automation equipment, you can use lighting to your advantage and get better peace of mind.

“The most popular items that burglars are looking to steal are typically cash, jewelry, and electronics.

Someone may not have stolen anything because they either got scared or didn't find anything to grab. If the burglar thought someone was coming, they wouldn't have time to take anything. If you hide your items well, they may not have found anything to steal in the first place.

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.

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.

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.

If you hear a noise that sounds like someone breaking in or moving around, quietly call the police and wait calmly until they arrive. If you can leave safely, do so. Otherwise, lock yourself in a room, or, if the intruder enters the room you are in, pretend to be asleep.

A study by the Office for National Statistics also found that 60% of burglaries take place during the day. More often than not, your constant night-time lights won't make a difference to whether or not you're burgled.

Should I leave my front porch light on at night?

When you're home at night. This is a good time to leave the porch light on. It alerts burglars to your presence, particularly if indoor lights are on too. The porch light also acts as a spotlight on the front door.

While we hope that no one tries to break into your home, a common tactic burglars use is to knock on someone's door to see if anyone is there before entering. However, even if someone isn't trying to break into your home, they could be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, which can be just as dangerous.

Look for vulnerable folks (elderly, those living alone, easy targets, etc.) Opportunistic (very little forethought or planning) Desirability of property (smarter criminals) Casing the property (usually over days or weeks before the break in)

“Do burglars come back after first attempt fail?” Yep! They will often make a second attempt, especially if they were interested in taking something specific that they spotted in your house the first time, and unfortunately, you haven't upgraded your home security.

Thanks to better lighting and increased traffic, homes in high-visibility places, like on corner lots, are far less likely to be broken into, Paulsen says. There are simply too many potential ways to be seen.