Category: Smart Lighting

Enhancing Home Security: Common Points of Entry for Burglars vs. AI Technology

Protecting one’s family and property is a top priority for homeowners, which is why home security is a consideration that should not be overlooked.  While traditional measures such as locks and alarms can help prevent burglaries, many intruders are still able to find vulnerabilities and enter homes undetected. That’s where AI technology comes in – by providing advanced features that can detect and deter criminal activity, enhancing home security and providing homeowners with greater peace of mind.

Let’s examine the common points of entry that burglars use to gain access to homes, the commonalities that are reoccurring factors in home invasions and how AI technology can combat them. By identifying the weak points in your home and learning how to address them effectively, you can create a more secure environment for your loved ones and property.

The majority of burglaries occur during the hours of 10 AM and 3 PM. This time frame is when homes are empty due to work, school and errands, they find it easier to target homes and make their escape without being caught. Furthermore, the daytime hours provide better cover for intruders as there are fewer observers, and neighboring homes may also be empty, providing an opportunity to break-in unnoticed.

They often seek out easy points of entry into a home, preferring to avoid more complicated methods that might draw attention to themselves. By targeting vulnerable entry points, burglars increase their chances of going unnoticed and being able to quickly enter and exit a property.

 

Common Points

According to FBI statistics, home invasions often start on the first floor, accounting for 81% of all cases. The following are the most common points of entry for home break-ins on all floors of the house:

Front door:  34% often attempt to enter through the front door, especially if it is not well secured or if the lock is weak.

First-floor windows: 23% use windows if they are left unlocked or are not equipped with sturdy locks.

Back door: 22% use the back door, particularly if it obstructed from view, not visible from the street or properly secured.

Garage: 9% gain entry to a home through the garage, particularly if it is attached to the house and the door is not secure.

Unsecured areas, storage and sheds: 6% will attempt to gain access through any opening that is not properly secured or locked down.

Basement: 4% gain access through basements since they are often overlooked, making them an attractive target.

Second-story windows: 2% for those willing to climb to a second-story window usually accessible via a tree or other objects.

Commonalities found in burglarized homes have been identified through investigations of home invasions, which include:

Easy entry points: They often look for easy entry points to homes, such as unlocked doors or windows, or those with weak locks. In some cases, they may also use force to break open doors or windows.

Lack of security measures: Homes without any security measures, such as cameras, alarms, or motion sensors, are more vulnerable to break-ins.

Absence of occupants: Home invasions are more likely to occur when no one is home, making it easier to move around undetected and take their time stealing items.

Poor lighting: Homes that are not well-lit, especially the exterior, provide good hiding places and increase the likelihood of break-ins.

Valuables visible from outside: Expensive electronics or jewelry, are more likely to be targeted

Lack of neighborhood watch: Neighborhoods without active watch programs or where neighbors are not vigilant about suspicious activity are more likely to experience home invasions.

Routine patterns: Burglars often target homes where the occupants have predictable patterns, such as leaving for work at the same time every day, making it easier to plan a break-in.

 

AI Technology

Installing a home security system can help deter some burglaries, but an AI smart cameras system provides extra advantages that can be utilized even when you are away from home. Let’s explore how AI smart home security system features that can help combat home invasions:

Motion detection: detects movement in and around the home, triggering alerts to the homeowner or law enforcement in the event of suspicious activity.

Facial recognition: Some AI home security systems are equipped with facial recognition technology, which can detect and recognize known intruders, and alert the homeowner or law enforcement immediately.

Real-time monitoring: provides real-time monitoring of the home, allowing homeowners to keep an eye on their property even when they are away.

Smart locks: can be locked and unlocked remotely via a smartphone app, providing homeowners with greater control over who can access their property.

Integration with other smart home devices: Such as smart lighting or smart thermostats, to create a more comprehensive and interconnected security system.

AI technology is effective in securing all common entry points and addressing vulnerabilities to deter break-ins.  Plus, by keeping your home looking lived-in you can create the impression that someone is always present, deterring potential robbers from targeting your property.

 

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FBI. Crime In The U.S. 2019, https://ucr.fbi.gov/crime-in-the-u.s/2019/crime-in-the-u.s.-2019/topic-pages/burglary. Accessed 12 September 2019.

 

Author: With over 20 years of experience, Sting Alarm is a Las Vegas-based company that specializes in providing top-notch security systems and fire protection for both residential and commercial properties.