One of the most important parts of your home, from a security perspective, is the front door. Why? Because the front door is the preferred entry point for burglars. Data shows that they enter through the front door more than 30% of the time. In addition, between the front door and other options, burglars enter homes on the first floor some 80% of the time.
It could be that none of this makes sense to you. A burglar entering through your front door defies logic, at least in your mind. But rest assured, it makes perfect sense to burglars. They don’t do what they do haphazardly. Their actions are well planned. In light of that, the front door is appreciated for several reasons.
It is Often Left Unlocked
The first thing to understand about burglars is their desire to get in and out without being noticed. They want to work quickly. They know that the key to doing so is finding an easy entry point. They also know that if there is one door in the house likely to be left unlocked, it is the front door.
It is surprising just how many people fail to lock the front door regularly. Sometimes it’s carelessness. Other times it is forgetfulness. Some people still don’t lock their front doors because they do not feel it’s necessary. None of the reasons is relevant to burglars. All they know is that an unlocked front door means quick entry.
It Is Easily Breached
Even when front doors are not left unlocked, they are still easy to breach. Factory-installed locks are not much of a hindrance. However, poorly constructed frames and sashes don’t offer much resistance either. A knowledgeable burglar can quickly breach a front door with a single kick to the correct location.
Perhaps that’s why companies like Vivint Smart Home recommend installing heavy-duty door locks. Home security with 24-hour monitoring helps as well. Anything that causes a burglar to reconsider the choice to enter a home briefly can be an effective deterrent.
It Offers Quick Access to the Second Floor
In most multilevel homes, the second floor is accessible from a staircase that empties into the front entryway. Why do burglars care? Because homeowners tend to store their valuables in the master bedroom. The front door provides quick access to the staircase and, by extension, the most profitable room in the home. A burglar can reach the front door and make it to the master bedroom in under a minute.
The Front Door Is Inconspicuous
Believe it or not, entering through the front door is as inconspicuous as it gets. We are used to people going in and out the front door. We are so used to it. It doesn’t even register when someone comes or goes to the neighbour’s house. On the other hand, someone walking up the driveway is more easily noticed. Someone creeping around in the backyard is more likely to be spotted.
Using the front door allows the burglar to pose as a repairman, survey taker, etc. He can saunter up to the front door as though he has a purpose for being there. Then, after a quick knock to determine no one is home, he can quickly slip inside without anyone knowing the difference.
If you are worried about becoming a burglary victim, start by shoring up the front door. There are plenty of online resources offering helpful tips for doing so. Remember, entering through the front door makes perfect sense to burglars. Whether or not it makes sense for the rest of us doesn’t matter.