Although everyone hopes that they won’t become the victim of a burglary, unfortunately, home break-ins can and do happen. The good news is that there are plenty of ways to deter thieves and intruders and prevent your home from becoming a target.

As experts in the Isle of Wight property market, our team at Marvins know how high home security measures are on any home buyer’s property wish list. That’s why we’re bringing you some frequently asked questions, along with some statistics to help you understand your potential risks and take steps to ensure greater protection for you, your family, and your property.

Q: When Do Most Burglaries Take Place?

A: The Majority Of Home Burglaries Occur During The Day

The first thing that surprises many homeowners is that burglaries tend to occur during the middle of the day, not at night. There’s a common misconception that burglars only come out during the hours of darkness when potential victims are asleep, but this isn’t actually the case. A significant number of home break-ins take place during the day between 10am and 3pm since most people are at work, leaving their homes empty.

Q: Is It Safe To Leave A Spare Key Outside My Property ?

A: No! Yet Over A Fifth Of People Leave Spare Keys “Hidden” Outside Their Home!

A surprising 21% of people still leave spare keys to their home in a “safe place” outside the property. While this may be convenient if they forget or lose their own key, it’s also an easy way of inviting criminals into the home.

• 7% hide their key somewhere in their garden.
• 6% put their key in their shed or garage.
• 6% put their key underneath the door mat.
• 2% of people leave their spare key underneath a plant pot.

None of these ‘hiding’ places are very imaginative – and could prove to be a security risk.

Q: Are Burglaries Usually Planned?

A: No! Almost Half Of Home Burglaries Are Opportunistic

Lots of people worry that their home was specifically targeted if they become the victim of a burglary, but in fact, almost 50% of break-ins take place opportunistically, with no planning involved at all. For this reason, it’s essential to take precautions to ensure your home’s security by adding deterrents such as alarms and security lights to your property.

Q: Do Burglars Avoid Breaking Into Homes That Are Occupied?

A: In A Third Of Break-Ins, Somebody Is At Home

An especially disturbing and upsetting statistic is that in almost 30% of cases, somebody is actually inside the property at the time of the burglary. Criminals today are more fearless than ever before, and if they’re really determined to break into your home, not even the presence of a resident will deter them.

That’s why it’s so important to make sure your doors are locked, and windows are closed if you are in the garden, and to turn on the security alarm before going to bed, possibly even keeping it on whenever you’re in the property alone. Security cameras, alarm systems and RING doorbells are very useful installations if you’re concerned about people lurking outside your property.

If you’re looking to buy a property in Isle of Wight with excellent security measures in place, or if you’re thinking of selling your property and are wondering which security upgrades would make your home more desirable, get in touch with the Marvins team today at [email protected] or on 01983 292114.