Smart home security systems have many advantages, but one of my favorites are their remote features that give you eyes and control over your home no matter where you are, sending important alerts while you're busy or even asleep. But that raises an important question -- when are break-ins most likely to happen?
I investigated and came away surprised. Burglars do try to target homes at their most vulnerable, but it may not be when you think. That has important implications for how you arm your security and customize your alerts. Let's look at when break-ins are most likely to occur.
Read more: What Burglars Look for When Choosing Homes to Break Into
1. The middle of the day (especially early afternoon)
Thieves have a lot to gain by acting in the middle of the day. Getty Images
If you want to know when burglars try to break into homes, it's a good idea to ask them. KGW8 out of Portland, Oregon, did just that, interviewing more than 80 (caught) burglars to find out how and when they struck.
The answer? Most chose the middle of the day, the hours before or after noon. Why? Homeowners are most likely to be gone at work in the day, thieves have great visibility when exploring a new yard or house and burglar find it easier to pretend to be a lost friend or family member if they get caught in broad daylight.
Burglars commonly strike in the early afternoon -- one specifically said between "12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m." People who go home for lunch or errands have most likely finished and are back to work during these hours, so there's a greater chance the home will be empty. Others KGW8 interviewed preferred the morning when there's also a guarantee people will be at work. That's similar to other studies that report burglaries are most likely to occur between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Curious about what burglars are after? Most hunt down cash, jewelry, medications and items that can easily sell for money -- notably guns and small electronics. Any signs that these items exist in a house may attract watchful thieves. They also reported that security systems and big dogs were big deterrents (although we don't suggest getting a dog for security purposes).
2. During the summer (between June and August)
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