If you suspect someone tried entering your home, you may wonder about the signs of an attempted break-in. A criminal will leave several clues you can identify to confirm that your home was a target for a burglary attempt.
The seven signs of an attempted break-in are:
- Damaged Doors and Windows
- Your Door Lock Isn’t Functioning Properly
- Crowbar Marks on Entry Door
- Home Security System Footage
- Your Alarm System is Beeping
- Tampering With Outdoor Gates
- Your Dog Escaped
When you notice these signs around your house, you can take further action to secure your property. Keep reading further to learn how to spot the signs of an attempted break-in and what to do afterward.
7 Signs Someone Tried to Enter Your Home
1. Damaged Doors and Windows
If you are mindful of keeping your windows and doors locked, a criminal will have to force their way inside your home. You should check all entry points when you think someone has tried to break into your home.
The windows may have broken glass or tampered window locks. When a burglar tries to force a window open, it will likely impact its functionality. If you notice loose hardware or scratch marks, it may signify a forced entry attempt.
Additionally, the doors will show telltale signs of someone trying to force their way into the property. The door and its frame will warp if someone tries kicking the door open. Burglars will also leave footprints on the door if they try to kick it.
2. Your Door Lock Isn’t Functioning Properly
When burglars try to bypass a door lock, they will use various methods to try and gain access. From drilling a hole in the lock to using a lock picking set, they will affect the functionality of the door lock system.
If your house key doesn’t turn normally, this is a red flag you should investigate further. In most cases, there will be obvious signs that someone was tampering with the lock. While some burglars pick the lock, most don’t want to spend too much time.
Criminals will take the brute force approach and try to bend the door’s deadbolt. When you notice someone compromised your door lock, you should replace the lock. Some thieves will return to a home if they can’t enter it the first time.
3. Crowbar Marks on Entry Door
When intruders want minimal time gaining access to a house, they may use a crowbar to pry the door. By placing a crowbar in the door jamb, someone can forcefully pry the door open by splitting the wood.
It was likely a crowbar if you arrived home to a door with chunks of wood ripped out of the frame. Chipped or splintered wood will typically scatter in the front of the door. If this happens, you will have to repair the door frame.
A potential thief damaging the door frame will weaken your home security. While it’s unfortunate, you don’t want to be a victim of a second break-in attempt. Contact your local home renovation company to help restore the strength of your door.
4. Home Security System Footage
If you are serious about your home’s security, you will have security cameras to film the area’s activity. A home security system is the only foolproof way to know if someone has tried entering your home.
You can view past security footage for any signs of a break-in attempt. For the best results, you should have security cameras viewing all angles of your house. An experienced thief will look for blindspots when targeting your house.
Some of the best home security systems you can install on your property are:
- Vivint
- Simplisafe
- FrontPoint
- ADT
5. Your Alarm System is Beeping
Along with home security cameras, your alarm system will also trigger during a break-in. A comprehensive alarm system will have sensors on the windows and doors that trigger during an unauthorized entry attempt.
When the alarm system triggers, it will send a message to law enforcement and send help to the location. If there have been many burglaries in your local area, an alarm system is an excellent option for homeowners.
Modern alarm systems will also provide mobile alerts that keep you informed on what’s happening in your house. Staying informed is an important part of not being caught off guard by a burglary.
6. Tampering With Outdoor Gates
If a burglar can’t enter your house through the front door, they will usually try other entry points. When you notice that someone left the gate entering your backyard open, someone may have entered your backyard.
A burglar will bend the metal gate or hop over the fence to check your back door for easy access. You will also see a footpath from the criminal walking around your backyard area searching for an opportunity.
To prevent someone from opening your gate freely, you should lock it with a weatherproof padlock. You should make it very difficult for someone to enter your property and check the doors quickly.
7. Your Dog Escaped
When a burglar wants to avoid confrontation, they will let a dog escape from the backyard to avoid being bitten. If you notice that your gate was opened and your dog is missing, this is a sign someone entered your property.
However, this sign is only relevant to homeowners that leave their dogs in the backyard. If you keep your dog indoors, it will likely bark loudly but not have a chance to engage with the burglar.
What to Do About an Attempted Break-In
An attempted break-in will leave any person feeling stressed and paranoid about if the criminal will come back. If you suspect someone tried entering your house, you should first call the police.
In most cases, your house won’t be the only one affected in the neighborhood. Thieves will target several houses and leave trails of evidence. If you have home security footage, it will be beneficial for the investigation.
Along with contacting the police, you can improve your home’s security to prepare for a future encounter. As home security specialists, we believe every home should have a security camera system.
Security cameras make finding criminals easier and scare potential crimes from happening to your home. We recommend following the home security advice on this website to secure your property.
Frequently Asked Questions
While it may seem surprising, most burglars break into a home during the day while the homeowners are at work. 62% of burglaries took place between the hours of 6 AM and 6 PM. If you want to protect your home, you should ensure your home is secured while you are away during the daytime.
According to ADT Security, the average break-in lasts between 8 to 10 minutes. During the break-in, the burglar will look for the most valuable items in the home. Since the crimes happen so quickly, it’s difficult for the police to catch the criminals in the act. The fast time is why having security cameras is so important for homeowners.
A majority of break-ins occur at the front door of a property. Criminals will search for an opened door that a person forgot to lock. Some other locations a burglar will check are the back door and the home’s windows. Ensuring all of your entry points are locked is crucial for home security.
Conclusion
If you think someone tried entering your home while you are away, these signs will help you confirm your suspicions. Security cameras are the most effective way to monitor the activity around your home. A security system will take the guessing out of the process.
With these things in mind, you can now prepare your home with additional security measures for your safety!