We all know burglars have their assortment of tricks to find out if a house is an easy target: leaving traces of invisible thread on the doorway, or certain tiny objects under the doormat to see if someone steps on it. It everything remains just like so for a few days, they understand the house is vacant and can be entered without much fuss.
However, homeowners also have a few tricks up their sleeve. The most popular one on social media right know is covering your doorknob with aluminum foil. The reason? Prospective intruders and squatters will realise there’s activity around the property.
They will also be puzzled by the method of showing you do know the house is being examined. Let’s be honest, putting foil around your doorknobs will help identify you as a lunatic, which will definitely deter intruders. After all, preppers with an overabundance of aluminum foil also have arms and ammunition, so they will give your home a hard pass.
Why, of all things, use aluminum foil?
Dressing your doorknob with aluminum foil is little more than mental games with potential squatters and burglars. It looks unusual, might make a tiny sound if touched, will leave handprints if touched. It screams “Somebody knows what you are trying to do!”. That moment of utter confusion will deter anyone trying to rob you or simply resting illegally in your property
Still, aluminum foil is fragile, offers no real strength in case of a break in, and can be peeled off without effort (they could even use it to… ejem heat up their sandwich, if you know what I mean). If you want to implant real mechanisms against intruders, down bellow you have a list you can take inspiration from.
Real strategies to keep burglars away
Here is where you get the biggest return. These steps raise effort, increase the chance of being seen or heard, and make most burglars move on.
Are there any strange or suspicious people wandering aimlessly down your street? Make sure to read the list and see if you are already doing the following. Take note of any weak spots you have and prepare:
1) Be visibly observant
- A video doorbell over the entry (with an obvious light on) shows that activity is recorded. They won’t get near.
- Place it at eye level so faces are captured. Visible devices are often enough to convince burglars to try a different place.
2) Make the home look lived in at all times
- Use smart plugs or timers to cycle a lamp in the living room and a bedroom in the evening. Keep your curtains drawn so they cannot watch inside to check someone is home or not.
- Ask a neighbor to pick up your mail and packages if you are away working/vacationing.
- A parked car in the driveway makes burglars discard the house almost inmediately.
3) Control the perimeter
- Trim shrubs near doors and windows. Leave no hiding spots.
- Add a latch that cannot be reached through gaps on the gate.
- Gravel make a huge noise when stepped on, so use it as sidewalk material.
4) Build social defenses
- Know your neighbors by name, face and body posture (so that you can recognise them from afar. Petrolheads learn to recognize neigbhbors’ car engines by ear and all license plates in the neighborhood.
- Be that noisy Karen: look out the window, establish eye-contact with strangers walking around your street aimlessly, and call the police if necessary.
- Create a message or Facebook group to share package thefts or odd visits.
6) Train the basics
- Lock doors and windows, even for quick errands.
- Do not leave spare keys under mats or flowerpots. That was cute on movies and TV last century, not now.
- Teach kids to avoid posting travel plans publicly. Tell them to boast about your family vacation only after you get back home from your trip.
If it gives you a touch of comfort, there is no harm in adding foil for a night or two. Just keep it in the right place in your plan. It is not a substitute for sturdy hardware, smart lighting, or a camera. Think of it as a conversation starter with your household about real upgrades you can make together.