Burglary protection: tips for more security in the house

Loud Police crime statistics , the number of residential burglaries, which also includes attempted burglaries, continued to rise in 2023 - by 18.1 percent to 77,819 cases. However, almost half of all burglaries failed because the criminals did not get into the apartments. Many burglars are occasional offenders and abandon their plan after about five minutes if they cannot gain access. Time is therefore a crucial factor when it comes to preventing a burglary. If you want to protect your home, you should therefore secure windows and doors well.

Closewindows and doors

If burglars enter the house through a tilted window, many insurance companies do not pay.

The good news is that thanks to security technology and prevention work by the police, home burglaries are becoming increasingly rare. But the most modern technology is of no use if tenants and owners leave windows tilted and do not lock doors.

When leaving your own four walls, the following therefore applies: Close windows and exterior doors at all costs. Many insurers refuse to pay if a window was demonstrably tilted. Front doors should always be locked twice. Never hide front door keys under doormats, flower pots or anywhere else outdoors. Burglars will soon find such "hiding places".

Burglary protection during the holiday season

From full mailboxes, burglars can tell that no one is home.

If you are going on holiday, you should not post about it on social networks before or during your trip. Current photos from the beach or on the ski slopes provide criminals with clues about their absence. Neighbors or friends who regularly empty the mailbox and turn on the lights when watering the flowers make the house look inhabited.

Install motion detector, camera and timer

Timers that automatically turn on the lights and raise and lower blinds give the impression that someone is at home. Motion detectors provide light at front doors, basement entrances and windows and thus provide additional protection against burglars. Modern outdoor cameras can be easily connected to a smartphone, so that residents can monitor their own property even in their absence.

Surveillance cameras - what is allowed?

Surveillance cameras may only be directed at one's own property.

However, there are a few things to consider when installing cameras. For example, the devices may only be aimed at one's own property and not at the neighbor's. In addition, a clearly visible sign must be installed in the surveillance area informing visitors and parcel carriers about the surveillance. By the way, some experts warn against installing dummy cameras outdoors. Instead of deterring, they can signal to criminals that a burglary is worthwhile.

Do not keep blinds closed permanently

Residents often lower external blinds when they are absent for a long time to create an additional barrier against burglars. However, many experts advise against it. This is because blinds that have been lowered for days signal to perpetrators that no one is at home. In addition, normal roller blinds are only designed as privacy and sun protection and can be easily levered out, cut or pushed up.

This does not apply to roller shutters that are designed to be burglar-resistant or additionally secured. For example, there are extra sturdy roller shutters with integrated locks that prevent pushing up and make it more difficult to tear out thanks to reinforced guide rails.

Additional security for front door and windows

The 3-point locking system not only closes the front door in the middle, but also at the bottom and top.

It is not possible to make a general statement about how safe a front door or window is. This depends on the age, material and locking and securing technology used. Decades-old doors and windows made of wood can usually be kicked in with little effort. There are numerous options for retrofitting doors and windows. For example, it can make sense to install a new front door lock with 3-point locking, in which the door frame not only locks the door in the middle, but also at the top and bottom.

Lockable window handles make it difficult to open the window sashes easily if a pane has been smashed or a window has been left open in the tilt position. For better burglary protection, the police recommend installing windows that have at least resistance class 2 (RC 2).

Burglary protection advice from the police

The "Zuhause sicher" network ensures more information ready to retrofit windows. The police crime prevention of the states and the federal government offers citizens Free individual consultation as well as general information on the subject of burglary protection.

Create inventory list for household insurance

Burglary victims often find it difficult to recapitulate at first which items perpetrators have stolen. In order to facilitate the settlement of claims with household contents insurance and the work of the police, a previously prepared Inventory of the household. Valuables, jewelry, computers and expensive consumer electronics should be documented with detailed photos and, if possible, with invoices.

Correct behaviour after a burglary

Anyone who comes home and finds their apartment in a chaotic state will understandably be shocked at first. Nevertheless, it is advisable to stay calm and observe the following:

• leave the apartment or house immediately
• Call the police via the emergency number 110
• Do not stop or attack burglars
• If the perpetrator is found, memorize as much information as possible (appearance, height, escape route, vehicle).
• Contact the insurance company
• only clean up when the crime scene is cleared again
• if necessary, take photos yourself

Central blocking emergency number for account, smartphone and ID card

If the burglars have stolen the wallet, important documents or smartphone, haste is required to prevent misuse. When blocking credit and giro cards, electronic identity cards or smartphones, the free central Blocking emergency number 116 116. The following information must be available to block it:

• Girocard: IBAN, alternatively bank sort code (BLZ) and account number
• Credit card: Name of the bank (card issuer) or sort code
• Online banking: IBAN, alternatively bank sort code (BLZ) and account number
• E-ID card: first name, date of birth and blocking password
• Smartphone/SIM card: mobile phone number

Psychological consequences after burglary: Weißer Ring offers help

In addition to the material losses, the fact that an unknown person has violated their privacy is particularly painful for victims of a burglary - many people no longer feel safe and secure within their own four walls. Psychological counseling and help in financial emergencies is offered by the victim protection organization White Ring. Some household insurance companies also offer psychological counselling.

source : Burglary protection: tips for more security in the house | NDR.de - Guide - Consumers