An FBI report from 2017 found that nearly 2.5 million burglaries occur annually, with an average of one break-in every 26 seconds. Home security alarms can deter burglars, but you may wonder if a particularly persistent burglar can cut the power to get into your home, thus disabling your security system.
Burglars may cut the power before attempting to gain entry to your home. They do this by severing electric wires to disable the security alarm. However, burglars are likely to avoid houses with a security system on the premises.
In the following sections, I’ll explain why and how burglars cut the power supply in residential areas. I’ll also teach you some ways to deter burglars so you won’t have to worry about them targeting your home.
Why Burglars Cut the Power
Burglars will often cut the power to your home before attempting to gain entry since the power supply in your home provides you with many defenses. Lights, your internet connection, and your security system all rely on power to function correctly.
Approximately 30 percent of homes in the United States have home security systems, but only some of these systems require WiFi and power to work.
So, burglars cut the power to prevent detection by the security systems, which allows them to enter homes without alerting the police.
Using Security Systems To Deter Burglars Without Power
A determined burglar, or one set on a specific house or neighborhood, may risk attempting to disarm a home security system by cutting the power.
However, more and more research leads to the conclusion that home security systems will more than likely keep burglars away from your home, whether they have a power supply or not.
Displaying Security System Signage
Studies have shown that simply displaying security system signage may keep burglars from choosing to break into your home.
Merely indicating the presence of a security system can prevent as much as 50 percent of potential break-ins.
Although this is not the best practice, you can purchase security system signage without an existing home security system. This solution may deter some burglars and is inexpensive, but it won’t protect you from actual break-ins.
The Case for Security Cameras
Another growing facet of home security is security cameras. Many homes contain home security cameras, including doorbell cameras.
An FBI crime report found that security cameras are worth the upfront costs in the long run.
Additionally, a study found that residential neighborhoods with security cameras in multiple homes have far fewer burglaries than neighborhoods that do not have homes with cameras.
On the contrary, the few cameras deterred burglars from the area altogether.
Wireless Security Systems
Today’s world thrives on wireless connectivity. Unsurprisingly, home security systems also use wireless connections to keep your home safe.
When you have a wireless security system, cutting power does not usually compromise your home’s security system alarms.
These systems typically have backup batteries and can use cellular data to keep your home secure during a power outage. However, not all security systems have this ability.
In addition, some burglars have resorted to using wireless alarm jammers to circumvent wireless security systems. However, wireless alarm jammers are expensive devices, so many burglars opt to avoid homes with security systems altogether.
Motion Detectors
Motion detectors are another great way to keep intruders from your home. However, how do they work, and can they work without power?
Motion detectors use wireless signals to communicate with your security system’s central hub or panel, so the sensors will work as long as the hub’s running. Security systems with a backup power source will still function at total capacity, even when burglars cut your power.
Preventing Smash and Grab Robberies
Smash-and-grab robberies may seem synonymous with business burglaries, but they can also occur in residential houses.
A smash and grab is when the intruder or intruders break into a home by smashing through a window or door to gain entry. Some intruders may forgo cutting the power and smash and grab instead.
This approach can work in the burglar’s favor as many home security systems allow for a thirty-second or longer delay before sounding the alarm.
Some burglars can get into a home quickly enough to destroy the security alarm before it goes off. During a smash-and-grab burglary, the thieves grab as many valuables as soon as possible and leave.
Glassbreak Detectors
Fortunately, you can thwart smash-and-grab home invasions if you have glass break detectors.
Glass break detectors sense the distinct sound of glass breaking and alert the occupants of the sound. Most detectors can distinguish between a window breaking and a drinking glass shattering.
When Do Home Burglaries Occur?
You might think that most burglaries happen at night. However, the opposite is more likely the case. Most home invasions occur during the day because burglars prefer to target unoccupied homes.
Often, burglars will watch a target home before attempting a break-in. This investigation period allows them to learn about the homeowner’s routines, increasing the probability of getting in and out with as many goods as possible without encountering the occupants.
Interestingly, most home burglaries occur between the hours of ten in the morning and three in the afternoon. Summer burglaries are more common than burglaries during winter, with the difference being almost 11%.
The Areas and Rooms Burglars Target
Because burglars try to get in and out of homes as quickly as possible, they go directly to the rooms most likely to hold your valuables. Consequently, knowing where burglars tend to look can help you store your valuables in less burglar-targeted areas.
In addition, in the case of a power outage, supplying rooms where you store your valuables with battery-operated lighting can prevent burglaries from happening and convince thieves that you’re still home.
Below are some areas you may want to reconsider when storing your valuables.
- Entryway tables with drawers. Many people may keep car keys here out of convenience, but having the keys here makes your vehicle an easy target.
- Display shelves and cabinets. While aesthetically pleasing, display shelves draw burglars.
- The living room. People often keep valuables in the living room, which means burglars may not have to go very far into your home to make off with valuables.
- Your home office. Your home office usually holds electronics and other expensive equipment. Additionally, many people store important documents and treasured valuables in their home office.
- The medicine cabinet. With a nationwide uptick in prescription-drug abuse, burglars may rummage through your bathroom’s medicine cabinet.
- The master bedroom. While bedrooms are high target areas, the master bedroom interests burglars the most. Many people store cash, jewelry, guns, and other valuables on dresser tops, in drawers, and underneath mattresses.
- Safes. Yes, many people purchase and use safes to protect their valuables. However, burglars may pick up an easily transportable safe and take it with them, saving the task of breaking into it for later.
Conclusion
Burglars will sometimes cut the power to your home before attempting to break in. However, they usually have many more tricks up their sleeves.
Intruders may skip cutting the power and opt to smash and grab instead. Once inside, they will go directly to specific areas and rooms in your house.
Hopefully, the tips and tricks in this article will help you keep your home safe and deter burglars.
