Burglary protection
Protecting Your Home: A Comprehensive Checklist
Home invasions are unfortunate events that no one can fully prevent. However, with a few simple strategies, you can significantly reduce the risk of a break-in. At TBW, we are committed to providing you with high-quality products and exclusive brands that will help you secure your home. Here's how you can enhance your home's security:
√ Always lock your doors with a key when you leave your home, even for short periods. This makes it more difficult for intruders to gain access.
√ Keep all windows completely closed when you're not at home. Partially open or tilted windows are an easy target for burglars.
√ Maintain good relationships with your neighbours. They are more likely to intervene if they notice something suspicious, especially if they know you're away.
√ Simulate your presence at home. Intruders usually want to ensure the house is empty before they break in. With the help of traditional timers or modern smart home devices, you can easily make it seem like you're home.
√ Install mechanical burglary deterrents. These can be retrofitted in older buildings and make it harder for burglars to break in.
Small Helpers, Big Impact:
At TBW, we offer four products that are ideal for optimally protecting your home and family.
1. Are you often away and your house or apartment is left empty? An alarm system with motion sensors can detect any movement within a few meters, triggering an alarm.
2. Have you ever thought about simulating your presence? The presence simulator Kevin creates light effects, movements, and noises, making it seem like you're home.
3. Do you sometimes get restless when you're away and don't know what's happening at home? The smart surveillance camera Presence by Netatmo lets you keep an eye on your home from anywhere.
4. Did you know that most burglaries happen during the day? A doorbell with video function, such as the Ring Video Doorbell, allows you to communicate with the person at your door even when you're not home.
Interview with a Burglar (Fictional – Based on Study Results)
"Many people think that we burglars watch houses for days on end to find out when the residents are usually at home and when they are not. But I don't actually know anyone who does this."
Why do you prefer to break into homes in Switzerland and not in other countries?
Homes and apartments in Switzerland are built to high standards. However, the standard for window and door locks is not particularly high. This makes it easy to get in.
How do you operate as a daytime burglar?
I go to a house and ring the bell. If no one answers, I use a screwdriver. Within 10 – 20 seconds, I'm usually in, without making a lot of noise. If it takes longer, I move on to the next house. It has to be quick.
How do you choose the area for a burglary and when do you break in?
In wealthier areas, houses are usually better protected. Therefore, they are not suitable. I have low chances of success there. In "normal" residential areas, it's different. With simple tools, I can get in within seconds. I usually break in during the day. Then the residents are usually at work, at school, shopping or somewhere else, and the risk of being caught decreases.
What do you take when you're in the apartments or houses?
I used to like video recorders or televisions. But they're too big and conspicuous to carry away quickly and easily. Besides, you hardly get any money for them today. I therefore prefer to take jewelry and cash.
How can one best protect oneself against burglars from your point of view?
Actually, I don't want to reveal that (laughs). But as I already mentioned: If I can't get in within a few seconds, I'd rather go to the next house instead of increasing the risk of being caught by spending too long trying to break in. This means that anything that extends the time a burglar needs to get into the house has a positive effect.
