Home security experts reveal the most likely time a home will be burgled – and how to frustrate criminals’ attempts

Key Findings:

• Home security experts explain why certain times of the day and year are more attractive to criminals
• Criminals target homes during daytime working or school hours, over the holidays, and in the summer
• Experts give their top tips on how to protect a home during these peak times

Home burglaries are officially the most feared type of property crime in the USA. “The fear of someone hostile breaking into your home – the place you are meant to be most safe – is very powerful,” say the experts at Automatic Technology (ATA), a specialist provider of secure garage doors.  

Below, the experts at ATA reveal at which times a home is more at risk of burglary and share their advice on making a house a less attractive target for burglars.

Most Robberies Occur During The Day

Most people probably picture burglaries happening in the dead of night, when criminals can move under the cover of darkness. “Certainly, many homeowners are worried about criminals getting into the house when they’re asleep, as this is a time they feel vulnerable,” says ATA.

However, according to FBI data, 65% of robberies occur during the daytime, most commonly between 10 am and 3 pm. This time of day is preferable for criminals because most homeowners will be at work or school. 

“Most burglars have zero desire to encounter the homeowner,” says ATA. “They want to be in and out as fast as possible with no complications, so they look for times when no one will be home.”

The Most Popular Season Is Summer

Summer is the most popular season for robberies. By comparison, a home is 11% less likely to be burgled in the winter. This is because homes are usually easier to access during the summer, with windows and doors left open due to the heat. 

“Many robberies are planned, but a lot are also the result of a criminal capitalizing on an opportunity, like a window someone forgot to close,” says ATA. “People are also more likely to work or relax outside during the summer months, potentially forgetting to secure items which an opportunistic criminal can then steal.”

Summer is also when most people go on holiday, leaving their homes unoccupied, making them a target for criminals. 

Be On Guard During The Holidays

Although home burglaries are less common in winter, homeowners should still be on guard during the holiday period. Criminals know that high-value presents could be gathered under Christmas trees, waiting to be exchanged, which could make a house a target. 

“Leaving packaging from a new, expensive present outside your house could also indicate to a criminal that there’s something worth stealing inside your home,” says ATA.

The experts at Automatic Technology commented:

“The first step to protecting your home is to lock all your windows and doors before leaving, even if just for a short time. You should also make sure all items of value are inside or stored in a secure shed. These steps might seem simple, but burglaries are often opportunistic. If a criminal happens to try a door that you forgot to lock, that’s all the opening they need.

“Criminals are usually looking for the house that seems easiest to break into, so an obvious security camera and motion-activated lighting can be highly valuable deterrence tools. A study from UNC Charlotte reported that 60% of burglars would choose another home to target if they identified a security system, so installing cameras and alarms is likely to be a sound investment.”

Sources

• Home burglaries are the most feared crime: Safewise.
• More burglaries occur during the day: FBI.
• More burglaries occur during summer: US Department of Justice.
• Burglars are more likely to choose a different target due to spotting cameras: UNC Charlotte.