What is burglary protection?
Burglary protection is the art of securing your home or premises against burglars. It is important to keep your home and family safe. Nobody wants to deal with a burglary or theft, but unfortunately this still happens far too often. By taking proactive steps to improve your burglary protection, you significantly reduce the risk of a burglary and give yourself peace of mind. In this article we have collected 26 tips to protect your home and family against burglary. From simple do-it-yourself steps to more advanced security measures, there are plenty of things you can do to make your home safer.
How do you protect your home against burglary?
To secure your home effectively, it is important to first inform yourself properly. A simple but effective question to start with is: "Which entrances do you need to secure?"
Every opening in your home can be a potential entry point for burglars. Think of doors (such as the front and back door), windows, cellar hatches, sliding doors, French doors and balcony doors. Below you will find more information about burglary protection for each type of entry point. Then read our 26 tips!
Burglary protection for doors
Doors are often the first choice for burglars. We notice that back doors are increasingly becoming the target, probably because of the growing popularity of doorbell cameras. Burglars do not like to be seen. Below you can read how you can improve the burglary protection of your doors:
Magnetic contacts
Once your alarm system is armed, magnetic contacts send a signal when they are separated from each other. This happens when the door is opened while the alarm is active. Magnetic contacts are particularly effective and are also suitable for double doors. For roller doors we offer an adjustable magnetic contact.
Cylinder lock
Cylinder locks offer a higher level of security than traditional locks thanks to advanced technologies and materials. They protect against common burglary methods such as cylinder pulling, drilling, lock picking and the bump key method.
View our cylinder locks here.
Motion detector
The Ajax MotionCam is our favourite motion detector. This camera takes photos immediately when motion is detected and sends them to your smartphone and/or alarm receiving centre.
Doorbell camera
No burglar dares approach a front door with a visible doorbell camera. These cameras are a clear visual deterrent.
View our doorbell cameras.
Burglary protection for windows
Windows are crucial points to secure because they often provide easy access for burglars. You can secure your windows with the following measures:
Magnetic contacts
Signals are sent when the contacts are separated from each other, which indicates an unauthorised opening.
Glass break detector
These detectors use a microphone to pick up the distinctive sound of breaking glass and respond up to a distance of 9 metres.
Alarm system
This is the most obvious tip, so we may as well get it out of the way. An alarm system gives you a timely signal if a break-in is attempted. Secure all possible entry points in your home, so that you are not faced with any surprises.
We are big fans of the Ajax alarm system. We offer both affordable starter kits and a handy configurator with which you can put together the Ajax alarm system yourself.
Alarm installer
An alarm installer, such as Secures, advises on alarm systems. We look at how your home or premises can best be secured, which system is best suited to it and how the layout should be drawn up in accordance with the VRKI guidelines. Prefer not to arrange this yourself? Then contact us to receive a tailored quotation from a VEB-certified alarm installer! 
Do not make it easy for burglars!
Burglars are mostly opportunists. An impulsive thief sees their chance and makes off with your valuables. Keep this in mind when you leave your home.
Do not hide a key in 'hidden' places
Hiding a key under a wheelie bin, a fake stone or the doormat is not foolproof. When burglars are scouting, these keys are quickly spotted and you make your home an easy target.
Aids are a bad idea
Remove aids that burglars can easily use to reach open windows. Think of ladders, wheelie bins, waste containers, chairs, tables or other objects that burglars can easily use to reach windows or roofs.
Motion detectors
Motion detectors are an essential part of burglary protection. They detect movement by means of passive infrared. This movement data is processed digitally to prevent false alarms. Our motion detectors are all pet-friendly and focus on people.
View our range of Ajax motion detectors. Here you will find wireless motion detectors for indoor and outdoor use and/or with a camera.
Alarm receiving centre
An alarm receiving centre is a specialised service that follows up on alarms as soon as the alarm is triggered. The alarm receiving centre contacts a user until the call is answered. For verified alerts, the alarm receiving centre can also contact the emergency services.
Very useful, because this way you are not on your own in an emergency. For more information, see our alarm receiving centre page.
Magnetic contacts
Magnetic contacts are often used in security systems. They detect when a door or window is opened or closed. A magnetic contact consists of two parts: a magnet and a switch. The magnet is placed on the door or window, and the switch, the electronic part, is mounted on the frame. When a door or window is closed, the magnet is near the switch and the switch is activated. When a window or door is opened, the magnet moves away and the switch is deactivated. In this way, the alarm system knows that an opening has been created.
We recommend the Ajax magnetic contacts. View the complete range.
Cylinder lock
A certified cylinder lock from Secures.nl is protected against drilling, picking, cylinder pulling, the bump key method and the impressioning technique. A cylinder lock is very secure and easy to replace. With a cylinder lock you only need to rearrange the pins. You do not have to remove the entire lock.
We use the certified M&C Condor cylinder locks. This lock even contains a security cylinder that can be operated from both sides. So there is no need to worry any more about having left the key in the lock.
Valuables out of sight
A simple but effective tip to prevent burglary: keep valuables out of sight. Burglars find an expensive laptop, jewellery or vehicle keys extremely interesting. Make sure your valuables are out of sight. Put these items away. A good place for this is a natural bridge to our next tip.
Safe
A safe is good protection, both for private individuals and for businesses. A safe logically makes it harder for a thief to get at valuables. The better secured you are, the smaller the chance that thieves will attempt a break-in at your property.
Our range includes safes that protect your belongings not only against burglars, but also against fire.
WhatsApp group
A WhatsApp group with people in your neighbourhood is a good way to report suspicious activity to one another. The more eyes watching the neighbourhood, the greater the chance that burglars are spotted in advance.
Back door
The back door is a popular spot for burglars. Therefore make sure your back door is extra well secured. Use anti-burglar hinge bolts and good door hardware and locking fittings on all your doors. We also always advise closing any fanlights above doors.
Taking the key out of the door
People often leave their key in the door on the inside. This is an easy way for burglars to get in. They only need to break a small pane of glass and open the lock from the inside. With the key, they can also open other doors of the property for their escape route.
Thieves do not like to be seen
This is fairly obvious, but thieves do not like to be seen. Use this to your advantage. Make sure you have a view of everything in your garden from your home and from the street. Can burglars hide behind anything? If so, consider removing it.
Cameras
This is an extension of the previous tip. Cameras are a visual deterrent. Thieves do not like to be seen and do not find it appealing to have their actions recorded. Choose a professional security camera from Secures.nl to deter criminals!
Bonus tip: you will also find doorbell cameras here.
Outdoor lighting
Outdoor lighting in general makes burglars feel less comfortable, because they are more visible. The more visibility and overview you create around your home, the smaller the chance that burglars will target it.
Automatic motion-activated lighting
Motion detectors can switch on lighting as soon as they detect movement. This puts potential burglars in the spotlight, which they do not like. It is also an indication to you that there is movement in the surroundings.
Police Label Secure Housing (PKVW)
The PKVW is a quality mark awarded to homes that meet the requirements for burglary prevention and social safety. Homes secured in accordance with the PKVW standards require more time and effort for a burglar to gain entry.
- The risk of a successful burglary can be reduced by as much as 80%.
- The PKVW (Police Label for Secure Housing) assesses the overall security of your home, including fire safety and lighting inside and around the house.
- Several insurance companies offer a discount on your contents insurance.
- A certified PKVW security specialist advises on and implements the security measures.
Siren
There are 2 types of alarms: silent alarms and loud alarms. A silent alarm gives the burglar no signal that the alarm has been triggered. This gives the emergency services a higher chance and more time to apprehend the burglar. A loud alarm, on the other hand, deters and makes the burglar flee. Statistically, this gives the emergency services less chance to apprehend the burglar.
We recommend the Ajax HomeSiren or StreetSiren.
Windows
Securing windows is an important part of protecting a home against burglary attempts. Burglars may try to enter your home through windows, especially if your windows are easy to open or if they are in a secluded location where they cannot be seen by others. Securing windows makes it harder for burglars to get in.
Use hinge bolts and/or additional locks on windows to prevent break-in attempts. As extra protection, magnetic contacts or glass break detection are the way to identify burglars. Glass break detection registers whether glass has been broken.
Holiday tips
These holiday tips make your home less vulnerable to burglary.
Make your home look lived in
If your home looks lived in, it is a less interesting target. Ask one of your neighbours, for example, whether they would be willing to park their car on your driveway or put your wheelie bin out by the road.
Make your social media private
Social media is an easy way for burglars to check whether someone is at home. Everyone likes to share holiday photos. Therefore set your social media to private during your holiday, so that this information stays hidden from potential burglars.
Have your post collected
Mail that remains in the letterbox or on the doormat tells burglars that nobody has been home for a while. Ask your neighbours or family to remove it.
Use a timer switch for lighting
Use timer switches for your lighting. This makes it look as if someone is always at home. Ajax also offers automation solutions for this. You can then switch your lighting or other electrical appliances on a schedule or remotely.
Change the contact person at your alarm receiving centre
Do you use an alarm receiving centre? If not, we strongly recommend it. An alarm receiving centre informs you and the emergency services if your alarm system is triggered and monitors your system 24/7. Ask a relative or one of your neighbours whether you may register them as a temporary contact person.
Curtains
If someone you know opens and closes the curtains regularly, it looks to burglars scouting the area as if you are at home.
Watering the plants
Plants that are past their best because of a lack of water are one of the signals to burglars that nobody has been home for a while.
In summary
We hope these tips have given you valuable insights to take your burglary protection to a new level. If you are now interested in an alarm system (with or without professional installation), we advise looking at Ajax Systems. If you would like more information or to visit our showroom, please make an appointment.
Burglary protection FAQ
The best burglary protection is to make sure your home is not a target. The better protected you are, the smaller the chance that burglars target your home. A security system such as Ajax Systems protects all possible entry points of your home. Every home needs a tailor-made security system. At Secures.nl, a certified alarm installer prepares a tailor-made quotation for you.
Thieves do not like to be seen. Motion sensors that switch on lights, cameras and sirens are effective ways to deter thieves. Would you like to know what the options are? Please contact us.
Burglars do not like homes that are well protected. The easier it is to break in, the better a burglar likes it. Therefore, make sure that wheelie bins, chairs, ladders and other aids cannot simply be picked up by a burglar. Burglars also dislike it when a good alarm system has been installed by an alarm installer ;).
Burglary protection at Secures costs at least €374,40. This is the Ajax Systems starter kit. This package contains the central Hub, motion detector, magnetic contact & remote control. Of course, this package can be expanded with other Ajax Systems security products.
Cheaper (rented) homes are the most likely to be burgled. The locks and fittings are usually not of good quality. Burglars know this, which is why they prefer to target this type of home. Burglars like to work in their own area, as they know the neighbourhood well. Source: Thuiscomfort.nl
A burglar spends 5 minutes in your home on average. 1 minute to get in. 3 minutes to gather valuables and 1 minute to leave your home. Therefore, use an Ajax alarm system with a siren. As soon as the burglary is detected, burglars leave your home immediately.
1. Fit good locks on all doors and windows. Preferably use locks with the SKG quality mark and at least 3 stars. Do not forget the sliding patio door and any special doors, such as the garage door.
2. Place security cameras at the entrances to the house and at key points around the house. This allows you to keep an eye on unwanted visitors and to record any suspicious activity.
3. Install an alarm system that detects burglary, fire and smoke and sends notifications to an alarm receiving centre. This can act as a deterrent and, in the event of a burglary, increases the chance of the intruder being caught.
4. Ensure there is sufficient lighting around the house. Good lighting can deter burglars and make it harder to enter unseen.
5. Make arrangements with your neighbours and ask them to keep an eye on things when you are not at home. This can help to report suspicious activity in the neighbourhood and to alert the police in time.
6. Use a timer switch on the lighting to give the impression that someone is at home. Store valuables in a safe and make sure they are not visible from the street.
7. Do not forget to always lock the doors and close the windows, even if you are only away for a short while.
Peter Meijer
Founder of Secures & YTEE. Expert in alarm systems, surveillance cameras and burglary protection for homes and commercial premises.
