Why secure your home?

Too many burglaries in Denmark.

The number of burglaries in Denmark is decreasing, but we still have a record number compared to the countries we compare ourselves to, and far too few people have secured their homes, especially before the damage is done.

Most burglaries in houses.

The majority (80%) of burglaries happen in private houses on the ground floor. Thieves target houses where there is something of value. However, studies on thief behavior also tell us that thieves can be deterred from committing a burglary if there are signs of life or if it is difficult to get in or out of the home. It's important for the thief to be able to get away quickly if they are detected.

Life means that there is someone at home or neighbors who can easily keep an eye on your home. Securing doors, locks and windows helps to make it difficult to enter your home. At the same time, it makes the thief's escape route more difficult.

The thief often returns.

If your house has been burgled once, the risk of another break-in is higher. The likelihood of the same house being burgled again is four times higher than for houses that have never been burgled. At the same time, there is a higher risk of burglary in the neighborhood for about 14 days.

On the other hand, the risk is significantly lower if you have secured your house and live in a neighborhood with good neighbors who help keep an eye out.

Avoid break-ins.

To make your home more secure, you can install a burglary protection system. This involves reinforcing doors, windows, locks, i.e. securing the shell of the house, making it difficult for thieves to get in and out, preventing easy escape routes.

Neighborhood Watch, where neighbors keep an eye on each other's houses, significantly reduces the risk of burglary.

In addition, you can trim the hedge, make outdoor lights so a thief can't break in undisturbed. Make it look like someone is home by turning on lights. And label your valuables. Studies show that you reduce the risk of burglary if you combine at least two measures along with basic improvements to doors, locks and windows.

How does the break-in happen?

38 percent are via doors. Especially patio doors are particularly popular. At the same time, it's easy for the thief to get away with the stolen goods if he can just walk out through the patio door again.

That's why you should make it difficult to break open the doors in your home. Both from the inside and outside. Burglars will have an easy time if the lock is very old, the woodwork is worn down or the door is flimsy.

All exterior doors - front doors, patio doors, garden doors, etc. - in your home should be solid and fitted with secure locks, as thieves look for the weakest link in the house to break in and make off with the stolen goods.

(the above content is made in collaboration with Bo Trygt)

You can find out more about Bo Trygt and their recommendations here.