Six Tips on Home Burglary Prevention

Your home is your sanctuary, your castle, your retreat, a place where you should feel safest. Whether you are planning a staycation or a holiday, it’s important to ensure your home is secure year-round.

Home burglary may be more common than you think. In the first half of 2025, there were 52 reported housebreaking cases.¹ Don’t be a victim of a break-in or vehicle theft. Make your home a fortress so it is harder for burglars to commit a crime.

Taking some simple steps to keep your property safe can be the biggest deterrent to burglars.

1. Install an alarm system

Install a burglar alarm, motion sensor light and/or CCTVs, to cover the access points into your premises. Ensure that they are tested periodically and are in good working condition.

With the increased accessibility of smartphones and Internet of Things (IoT) security systems, this provides an opportunity for more homeowners to protect their properties with exterior and interior cameras, video doorbells, and home security systems that can be monitored by a central station or by the homeowner.

2. Secure your home and cars

Lock doors and windows, lock your cars. Secure all doors and openings with good quality grilles and closed-shackle padlocks before leaving your premises unattended, even for a short while. A burglar will potentially move on from a locked house or car, but if unlocked it makes it easy to enter. Do not leave house or car keys in the car. Do not leave house keys hidden in obvious places — under doormats or planters, in a mailbox, on the door frame.

3. Install lighting around the exterior

Lighting is a first line deterrent. Have exterior lighting be on a timer or motion activated. Interior lighting should be placed on timers to make it look like someone is at home.

4. Notify neighbors if you will be away

Have a neighbor or keyholder take in the mail and packages and check on the house while you are away. Don’t share travel plans or household schedules with anyone who doesn’t need to know, and do not share travel plans on social media.

5. Consider a vulnerability assessment

Get in touch with a security firm for more advanced steps like a complete central station monitored security system with cameras, installation of a high-security jewelry safe, installing property gates will provide higher levels of protection.