Your home should be a sanctuary, but burglars are experts at recognizing signs that a house is unoccupied. They look for subtle clues that suggest no one is home, making it easier for them to break in without being caught. Knowing what these signs are can help you take proactive steps to secure your property and reduce the risk of burglary.
Here are the most common indicators that burglars watch for, plus practical ways to prevent them from targeting your home.
No Lights On at Night
When a house remains dark at night, it often signals that the occupants are away. Burglars often drive through neighborhoods, looking for homes with no lights on both inside and outside. This lack of illumination makes it easier for them to approach without being noticed.
Using smart lighting systems or timers to turn lights on and off at random intervals can create the impression that someone is home, discouraging criminals.
Mail and Packages Piling Up
A mailbox overflowing with letters or packages left on the porch for days is a clear sign that no one is home. Housebreakers see this as an easy opportunity because it indicates that the residents are away for an extended period. To prevent this, pause your mail delivery through the USPS Hold Mail service or ask a trusted neighbor to collect your mail and packages until you return.
Unkempt Lawn and Overgrown Plants
A lawn that hasn’t been mowed and plants that are overgrown can suggest that the homeowners have been away for a while. Thieves often notice this lack of upkeep, as it indicates a house might be unoccupied. Before leaving for a trip, schedule a lawn care service or ask a friend to mow your grass and trim any bushes or hedges.
No Cars in the Driveway
A driveway with no vehicles parked makes a house appear vacant. Criminals will take note of homes without cars, assuming that no one is inside. If possible, leave a vehicle in the driveway or ask a neighbor to park their car there occasionally, while you’re away. This creates the impression that the house is occupied, and less attractive to potential intruders.
Closed Curtains During the Day
It may seem like a good idea to close your curtains before you leave, but when they’re closed during the day it looks like nobody’s home. Burglars often interpret closed curtains as an attempt to hide an empty property. Instead, leave some curtains or blinds partially open to allow natural light inside.
Lack of Noise and Activity
A home with no sounds of people, pets, or electronic devices can be an inviting target for thieves. Intruders usually listen for signs of life before attempting to enter a property. You can foil them by using smart home devices that play ambient sounds, such as music or TV noise, at random times throughout the day. This creates the illusion that someone is home.
Trash Bins Left Out
Trash bins at the curb for several days after collection is a signal that you’re away. Observant burglars look for these small but telling details to identify unoccupied houses. Ask a neighbor to bring your bins back after trash day or schedule your departure so you can move them yourself.
No Outdoor Maintenance
A lack of outdoor maintenance, such as uncollected leaves, untended flower beds, or a snow-covered driveway that remains untouched, all suggest that the homeowners are away.
Professional criminals take note of these signs, so arrange for someone to handle seasonal maintenance tasks, such as clearing snow, raking leaves, and watering plants.
Unused Security Systems
Visible security cameras, alarms, and motion-activated lights will deter burglars, but only if they’re operational. Felons can tell when a security system is inactive – and will swoop. Ensure that your system is fully functional before leaving home, and display signs or stickers indicating its presence.
No Response to Doorbells or Knocks
Crooks sometimes knock on doors or ring doorbells to see if anyone responds. If there’s no answer, they’ll assume the house is empty. Installing a video doorbell allows you to answer remotely, making it appear as though someone is home.
Social Media Posts About Vacations
Crafty criminals monitor social media to identify potential targets. Sharing your travel plans or posting vacation photos online alerts them that your home is unoccupied. To minimize this risk, don’t share details of your trips until after you return.
You can also adjust your privacy settings to limit who can see your posts, and remind family members to do the same.
No Pets in Sight or Sound
Pets, especially dogs that bark at unfamiliar noises, are a strong deterrent to burglars. The absence of pets will make a home appear more vulnerable. If you have pets, consider leaving them with a trusted friend or pet sitter who can stay at your house while you’re away. Their presence can help create the illusion that the home is occupied.
Newspapers Stacking Up
A stack of uncollected newspapers on the driveway or porch is a classic sign that the residents are away. It’s another detail that professional thieves look for when scouting potential targets.
Before going on vacation, suspend your newspaper delivery or ask a neighbor to pick them up daily. It helps maintain the appearance of a lived-in home.
Empty Backyard or Patio
Burglars love to see an unused backyard or patio, with furniture that remains untouched and no signs of recent activity. It’s a sure clue that the homeowners are away. Before leaving, arrange for someone to check on your property, move outdoor furniture occasionally, and water any plants.
Lack of Evening Routine
A home that remains dark and silent in the evening, with no lights, TV sounds, or visible movement, will attract thieves. They often watch houses at night, checking back regularly, to determine if anyone is home. Using smart lighting systems to turn lights on and off at different times, along with playing music or TV sounds, will create the illusion of an active household.