Ex-burglars confess: 6,500€ mistakes making your home an easy target

Ex-burglars Confess: 6,500€ Mistakes Making Your Home an Easy Target

Let’s face it: who better than a reformed burglar to help keep your home safe from, well, people like them? While that sentence may cause a moment of existential reflection, it’s actually good news! Former burglars have taken to the internet, swapping their black hoodies for a keyboard, and have revealed some eye-opening secrets to help people secure their homes once and for all. Ready to turn your home from “open house” to “fortress”? Let’s jump in – your valuables (and your nerves) will thank you.

The True Cost of a Break-In and Why Burglars Strike

First off, it’s not just your peace of mind that disappears during a break-in. In France, victims lose on average 6,500€ every time a burglar pays them an uninvited visit. And these criminals are nothing if not opportunists, always on the lookout for easy targets: homes with windows ajar, doors left unlocked, or the garage wide open like a welcome mat. According to the wisdom of these ex-burglars, tiny oversights can end up costing you dearly.

Their advice is brutally honest, yet effective: think like a thief to stop one. Here are some of their top recommendations to render your home next to impenetrable:

Invest in proper security systems
Double-check that all doors are locked, always
Never leave windows or garage doors open, even briefly

Simple, but every single point matters if you don’t want to join the 6,500€ club.

Seasonal Trends: Burglary Isn’t Just a Summer Sport

Of course, burglars don’t take vacations – but they love it when you do! The summer months of July and August, when most people in France are away for the holidays, see break-ins skyrocket. An empty house is an irresistible opportunity for thieves to inspect silently and slip away with your hard-earned possessions. Long weekends, especially all those handy May public holidays, are also prime time for unwanted visitors.

But wait – don’t pack up your vigilance when the weather cools down. The bad guys don’t retire their sneaky skills at the end of August. Autumn, with its early sunsets and ever-welcome darkness, sees another spike in activity. And, generally speaking, all school holidays are open season for intrusions.

Diversions exist among regions: in 2022, the PACA region experienced 6.21 burglaries per 1,000 homes, coming in just behind Île-de-France at 7.7 per 1,000, according to INSEE data. But wherever you live and whatever the season, the bottom line is clear: protecting your home is non-negotiable.

The Anatomy of a Daytime Break-In: Quick, Quiet, Ruthless

If you imagine burglars creeping about in the dead of night, think again. Most break-ins take place during the day, usually between 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM – right when people are at work. And forget lengthy heist scenes: the average burglary lasts just 4 to 5 minutes. That’s less time than it takes to brew a coffee.

What are these intruders after? Not your collection of mid-century furniture, but rather small, valuable items that are a cinch to grab and hide. The top picks:

Cash
Jewelry
Passports

Blink, and they’re gone – taking your precious things with them.

Lock Up, Stress Less: Practical Protection for Your Home

Now, before you start eyeing every window with suspicion, remember: good habits go a long way. No matter how short your absence, always lock all doors, windows, and shutters. Yes – even if you’re just popping to the bakery for a baguette. Don’t let a 2-minute errand make you the next statistic.

Craving for next-level peace of mind? Consider turning to professional solutions. Companies like Verisure offer a range of remote monitoring services, including alarms and cameras, to keep your home safe while you’re out living your life. Verisure, for example, has spent over 30 years working to protect what people in France cherish most, aiming to democratize high-quality security solutions and putting serenity within reach for everyone. Their mission: ensuring you feel safe – for yourself, your loved ones, and your future – no matter what risks the day might bring, from break-ins and squats, to fires or domestic accidents.

Takeaway? Listen to the people who used to know all the tricks, and make their confessions your shield. Securing your home doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does require vigilance, smart choices, and a little help from the right experts. Protect your peace, your valuables, and your future – because no one wants an ex-burglar to have the last laugh!

Ex-burglars confess: 6,500€ mistakes making your home an easy target