The 15 most effective burglary prevention tips: How to protect your property during the darker months

In Switzerland, there’s an average of one break-in every 14 minutes. However, the fear of burglars creeping into your home in the night as you sleep is largely unfounded. Hollywood has given us a false idea of intruders. In fact, your chances of being burgled increase in autumn as the days get shorter and darker. Here are some essential steps you should take to secure your property.

The first thing you need to know is that most burglars are more scared of you than you are of them. That means they won’t want to run into any of the occupants of the house or flat they’re targeting. That’s why most burglaries happen during the day, while occupants are at work or on holiday. Switzerland’s police crime statistics indicate that burglars strike most frequently in autumn, taking advantage of that narrow window in the evenings when it’s already dark but nobody’s home from work yet.

Burglary prevention: how to effectively protect your property

When you think of ‘burglary prevention’, does your mind jump instinctively to alarm systems and other technical solutions? In fact, that’s just one aspect of a whole range of security measures. When it comes to protecting your house or flat, the most important factor is – you. Burglars often strike when they can clearly see that nobody is in.

To protect your house or flat as effectively as possible and minimise the risk of break-in, we recommend the following security steps:

Simple security steps that you can apply straight away

• Always keep your doors and windows completely closed
• Don’t leave any easy access points around your home lower than three metres, such as waste bins or ladders
• Tell your neighbours if you’re going away for an extended period and arrange for somebody to empty your letter box (an overflowing letter box is a sure sign that the occupants are away)
• Don’t post about your holiday publicly on social media
• Make sure the odd light is turned on when you’re out, perhaps using a plug-in timer
• Don’t talk too openly about the valuables you keep in your home

Structural steps to protect against burglary

• Make sure your window handles can be locked securely
• Screw down any cover grates for light shafts from the inside
• Factor in security doors and windows when planning any new building work
• Secure your front door using a safety lock with multiple levels of security or additional bolts or latches
• Embed safes deep into the walls of your property for your most valuable possessions

Technical and electronic steps to protect against burglary

• Surround your property with motion-activated lamps
• Install a surveillance and alarm system
• Install a system of motion-activated floodlights
• If you’re going away, set up a security system that creates the impression that someone is home

New burglary prevention surveillance systems

Modern alarm systems can not only detect movement, but also changes in air ratios, specific heat sources and/or unusual pressure in the building structure during a forced break-in. Another handy tip: nowadays you can control most surveillance and alarm systems via your smartphone, which means you can quickly check in on your property at any time, even from the beach.

Free ‘Burglary prevention’ guide

You can find detailed information on these home security and burglary prevention steps in our guide. Simply read it online or order a printed copy at your local shop. 

Engel & Völkers has been active on the market for more than 40 years and along with extensive marketing and location expertise we have also gained a fundamental understanding of effective property security. Do you have any questions related to home security and burglary prevention? Contact us now for an informal chat! Simply give us a call or send us an email.