Burglary protection: the house that looks out for itself

A burglary occurs almost every minute. It isn’t just a momentary event that only affects our home and belongings; it can have a lastly impact on our lives. The level of security in your home can be a genuine deterrent or prevention of becoming a victim to burglary in your own home.

There are many expert opinions about home security, but we would like to share our truly smart perspective, besides your typical standalone surveillance system.

Lights, shading, action
If a burglar does try their luck, your home will immediately spring into action – with the likes of conspicuous flashing Ceiling Lights and an overwhelming alarm tone – all in a bid to send them running for the hills.

You can’t hide from me
There are many ways burglars could potentially find their way into your home. Whether it‘s through a window or an unlocked patio door, your home will know when something is amiss and start reacting immediately by using a combination of sensors including motion sensors and glass break sensors.

Smart home 1:0 Burglar
If your home detects an intruder, a three-phase alarm is triggered to alert you, and any passersby, as soon as possible. This gives the burglar as little time as possible to take off with any of your belongings.

What does burglary protection 
look like in a Loxone Smart Home?

On guard: Ready to protect
A Loxone Smart Home is always on the lookout. It‘s a case of always being prepared but hoping it never needs to spring into action.

Imagine this: you and your family are on a much-deserved holiday. Your home may be empty but it certainly doesn‘t appear that way to any on-lookers.

Sophisticated home automation means your home doesn‘t give any clues to potential burglars that you‘re not at home. While you‘re away, your home mimics your presence – turning the lights on and off and opening and closing blinds – just as it would if you were at home. By realistically recreating these actions, it‘s very unlikely that a potential burglar would think that no one is at home. For opportunistic burglars, this presence simulation feature quickly reduces the chance that your home will be a target.

Lights, shading, action
If a burglar does try their luck, your home will immediately spring into action – with the likes of conspicuous flashing lights and an overwhelming alarm tone – all in a bid to send them running for the hills.

You can’t hide from me
There are many ways a burglar could potentially find their way into your home. Whether it‘s through a window or an unlocked patio door, your home will know when something is amiss and start reacting immediately by using a combination of sensors including motion sensors and glass break sensors.

Smart home 1:0 Burglar
If your home detects an intruder, a three-phase alarm is triggered to alert you, and any passersby, as soon as possible. This gives the burglar as little time as possible to take off with any of your belongings.

2. You’ve got mail…plenty of it

If you‘re going away for more than just a quiet weekend break, then chances are your mailbox will be an easy telltale. If mail starts piling up, then it‘s obvious that no one has been home. This makes an opportunity for a burglar to make their way in and take their time going through your belongings. To avoid this obvious indicator, you should ask your  neighbors to take in your mail while you‘re away.

5. Close and lock all doors
and windows

Check your insurance policy; it probably asks you if your windows have key-operated locks and if your doors have five-point multipoint locking systems. If they do, you‘re expected to use these. Leaving your window slightly cracked to allow some air circulation while you‘re away on holiday is not worth the risk. This makes it easier for someone to gain access to your home. Be sure to properly close all doors and windows and to lock them. Plus, ensure keys are out of site of any curious passersby. This is more than just good practice, it can also be a condition of your home insurance.

Five tips

Even though your smart home will keep watch and automate various safety and security aspects for you, there are still a few things you can do to contribute to the protection of your own four walls. Here are five tips for you to consider to minimize the risk of burglary and give you more peace of mind.

1. Avoid hiding your
front door keys

Whether it‘s underneath the doormat or under a flowerpot, chances are criminals have thought about these hiding places for keys too. Don‘t risk it. Never leave a spare key hidden somewhere outside. Instead, keep your keys with you and perhaps think about using smart access features like pin code entry that unlocks your front door.

2. You’ve got mail…
plenty of it

If you‘re going away for more than just a quiet weekend break, then chances are your mailbox will be an easy telltale. If mail starts piling up, then it‘s obvious that no one has been home. This makes an opportunity for a burglar to make their way in and take their time going through your belongings. To avoid this obvious indicator, you should ask your  neighbors to take in your mail while you‘re away.

3. Be wise about your
social media posts

You‘re waiting to board your 10-hour flight for an all-inclusive week away at a 5-star resort. Social media might be a great way to share the news of your holiday, but the information this gives potential burglars is invaluable. It‘s no effort for someone to search for specific hashtags and locations to narrow down their options of houses to burgle. Try to hold off from posting your holiday snaps until you‘re back home.

4. The writing is
on the wall

Perhaps you‘ve seen such markings before. A weird symbol in chalk on one of the bricks. It‘s probably kids being a nuisance, right? Well, it might not be. Some criminals have been known to leave markings on walls, mailboxes, driveways, or doors as part of a secret language. For example, these can denote a wealthy target, a vulnerable occupant, warning of a guard dog, or a property with no alarm. If you ever find one of these on or near your property, take a photo, try to remove it, and contact the police.

5. Close and lock all
doors and windows

Check your insurance policy; it probably asks you if your windows have key-operated locks and if your doors have five-point multipoint locking systems. If they do, you‘re expected to use these. Leaving your window slightly cracked to allow some air circulation while you‘re away on holiday is not worth the risk. This makes it easier for someone to gain access to your home. Be sure to properly close all doors and windows and to lock them. Plus, ensure keys are out of site of any curious passersby. This is more than just good practice, it can also be a condition of your home insurance.

Five tips

Even though your smart home will keep watch and automate various safety and security aspects for you, there are still a few things you can do to contribute to the protection of your own four walls. Here are five tips for you to consider to minimize the risk of burglary and give you more peace of mind.

1. Avoid hiding your
front door keys

Whether it‘s underneath the doormat or under a flowerpot, chances are criminals have thought about these hiding places for keys too. Don‘t risk it. Never leave a spare key hidden somewhere outside. Instead, keep your keys with you and perhaps think about using smart access features like pin code entry that unlocks your front door.

2. You’ve got mail…
plenty of it

If you‘re going away for more than just a quiet weekend break, then chances are your mailbox will be an easy telltale. If mail starts piling up, then it‘s obvious that no one has been home. This makes an opportunity for a burglar to make their way in and take their time going through your belongings. To avoid this obvious indicator, you should ask your  neighbors to take in your mail while you‘re away.

3. Be wise about your
social media posts

You‘re waiting to board your 10-hour flight for an all-inclusive week away at a 5-star resort. Social media might be a great way to share the news of your holiday, but the information this gives potential burglars is invaluable. It‘s no effort for someone to search for specific hashtags and locations to narrow down their options of houses to burgle. Try to hold off from posting your holiday snaps until you‘re back home.

4. The writing is
on the wall

Perhaps you‘ve seen such markings before. A weird symbol in chalk on one of the bricks. It‘s probably kids being a nuisance, right? Well, it might not be. Some criminals have been known to leave markings on walls, mailboxes, driveways, or doors as part of a secret language. For example, these can denote a wealthy target, a vulnerable occupant, warning of a guard dog, or a property with no alarm. If you ever find one of these on or near your property, take a photo, try to remove it, and contact the police.

5. Close and lock all
doors and windows

Check your insurance policy; it probably asks you if your windows have key-operated locks and if your doors have five-point multipoint locking systems. If they do, you‘re expected to use these. Leaving your window slightly cracked to allow some air circulation while you‘re away on holiday is not worth the risk. This makes it easier for someone to gain access to your home. Be sure to properly close all doors and windows and to lock them. Plus, ensure keys are out of site of any curious passersby. This is more than just good practice, it can also be a condition of your home insurance.