When you picture a burglar, you probably imagine someone in a black ski mask, skillfully picking a lock in the dead of night. The reality is often much less cinematic and far more brutal. Most residential break-ins are not sophisticated operations. They are quick, forceful, and rely on simple tools to exploit common household weaknesses.
Understanding what criminals actually use is the first step to securing your home. In reality, it’s not about defending against a master spy; instead, it’s about reinforcing your weak points against common opportunists. Here are eight strange and surprisingly common tools burglars really use to get into your house.
A Simple Crowbar
First and foremost, the crowbar is the most common burglary tool, and it’s all about brute force. A burglar can easily use a crowbar to pry open a door, a window, or even a sliding glass door. Consequently, a weak door frame or a standard lock is no match for the leverage of this simple tool. This is precisely why reinforcing your door jambs and using a deadbolt with a long throw is so critical.
Spark Plugs
This is one of the more surprising tools burglars really use. Specifically, the porcelain from a broken spark plug is incredibly hard and sharp. A burglar can throw a small piece at a window and shatter the glass with a surprisingly quiet popping sound, which is much quieter than a rock or a hammer. As a result, this method allows a burglar to break a window without drawing a lot of attention.
Bump Keys
Although this is a more skilled technique, bump keys are widely available online. A thief uses a specially cut bump key by inserting it into a lock and “bumping” it with another object. In turn, this action can cause the lock pins to jump into the open position. This method opens many standard pin-tumbler locks quickly and without any visible damage.
Social Media
Perhaps the most modern and insidious tool is your own social media account. For instance, burglars actively scan Facebook and Instagram for people posting about their vacations. In essence, your happy holiday photos are a public announcement that your home is empty and vulnerable. Therefore, you should always wait until you are back home to post pictures from your trip.
Signal Jammers
For homes with wireless security systems, a signal jammer can be a serious threat. These devices, also available for purchase online, block the radio frequencies that your security sensors use to communicate with the main panel. Consequently, a savvy burglar can use a jammer to neutralize your alarm system before they even try to enter the home.
A Coat Hanger or a Piece of Wire
This old-school method is still surprisingly effective on some types of windows and doors. For example, a burglar can use a wire to hook an unlocked window and slide it open. Moreover, they can slip it through a mail slot to try and turn the thumb latch on a nearby deadbolt. This is exactly why you should never leave a key in the lock on the inside of your door.
A Screwdriver
The humble screwdriver is an incredibly versatile tool for a burglar. They can use it to remove the hinges from a door, dismantle a window frame, or simply pry open a weak lock. Furthermore, a person can easily conceal it, and it doesn’t look suspicious if the police stop them. It’s a reminder that criminals can use even the most common household items for illegal purposes.
Your Own Ladder or Garden Tools
Burglars are fundamentally opportunistic. In fact, they will often use what they can find in your own yard against you. A ladder left outside, for example, provides easy access to a second-story window, which people often leave unlocked. Similarly, they can use a heavy rock from your garden to break a window. For this reason, always secure your outdoor items to avoid providing a burglar with the tools they need.
Think Like a Thief to Protect Your Home
Ultimately, securing your home is about creating layers of defense and making it a difficult target. It’s not about turning your house into a fortress, but rather about being smarter than the average criminal. By understanding the simple tools burglars really use, you can identify your vulnerabilities and take practical steps to eliminate them. Without a doubt, a little bit of prevention goes a long way.
What are your top home security tips? Share them with the community in the comments below.
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The post Forget Lockpicks—Here Are 8 Strange Tools Burglars Really Use appeared first on Budget and the Bees.
