Which room do burglars typically search first?

Asked by: Amira Weimann  |  Last update: February 6, 2026
Score: 4.7/5 (26 votes)

Burglars typically search the master bedroom first, followed by the living room, home office, and entryway, looking in dresser drawers, closets, under mattresses, and medicine cabinets for quick-grab valuables like jewelry, cash, electronics, and prescription drugs. They check obvious spots first because they want to get in and out quickly, so they hit places where people commonly hide things.

Where do burglars search first?

Doors and windows are the most common entry points for burglars, so near these entry points is often the first place they look for any valuables. Burglars also know many homeowners hide their house key near the front door, making it easier for them to break in within minutes or even seconds.

What is the #1 deterrent for burglars?

The best burglar deterrents combine visible technology, physical barriers, and behavioral habits, with security cameras, bright motion-sensor lighting, and alarm system signs being highly effective for appearing difficult to target. Physical deterrents like deadbolts, reinforced doors/windows, and thorny plants make entry harder, while keeping your home looking occupied (timers, organized deliveries) and trimming overgrown landscaping removes easy opportunities for thieves.
 

Where do burglars not look?

A good place to hide valuables could be the entrance area, for example, as it is often overlooked. An unused fireplace can also be used as a hiding place: simply remove the cover, place valuables inside and then close it again. It is unlikely that a thief will look there.

What rooms do burglars target?

The first place most burglars look is the master bedroom [2]. Many burglars then move on to a study, library, or office where electronics are located. Bathrooms are also popular, where the thief goes through your medicine cabinet. Various cabinets and drawers throughout the house.

10 Hiding Spots Burglars Always Look First!

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What puts burglars off the most?

Security measures that put burglars off

  • Alarm Systems. Burglars hate alarm systems - and for very good reason! ...
  • Security cameras. CCTV cameras can also deter burglars from attempting to enter your home. ...
  • Barking dog. ...
  • A secure garden. ...
  • Access points. ...
  • Teamwork. ...
  • Obvious absence. ...
  • Social media oversharing.

What time of day do burglars break in?

Most burglaries happen during the daytime, primarily between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., when people are at work or school, with peak times often after lunch, around 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., because homes are empty and darkness isn't a factor, though some occur at night as well. The summer months (June-August) see more break-ins due to vacations, and February often has the fewest. 

What type of houses do burglars avoid?

Burglars avoid houses that appear occupied, well-protected, and difficult to access, especially those with visible security systems, motion lights, barking dogs, and signs of constant activity, while they target isolated homes with overgrown landscaping, dark corners, and easy entry points like unlocked doors or hidden windows.
 

Do closed curtains deter burglars?

Security is another compelling reason to close your blinds or curtains at night. When left open, windows offer a direct line of sight into your home, potentially exposing valuables or even your daily routines. Opportunistic burglars may find it easier to target homes where they can see what's inside.

Where are the worst stash spots?

The Worst Place to Stash Your Valuables

  • Front Door. We've all heard the advice about keeping a spare key “just in case,” but hiding one near your front door is practically an open invitation. ...
  • Entryway. ...
  • Bedrooms. ...
  • Freezer. ...
  • Bathrooms. ...
  • Cookie Jar. ...
  • Home Office. ...
  • Portable Safes.

Does leaving TV on deter burglars?

Leave Your Radio and TV On. A loud radio or TV on can be an even better deterrent than an alarm (learn more burglar deterrent gadgets here )to prevent burglars and bandits from breaking into your home.

What burglars don't want you to know?

5 Secrets burglars don't want you to know

  • Your front door is too enticing.
  • Your home isn't scary enough.
  • You're way too predictable.
  • Your yard is an easy target.
  • You're leaving your second floor vulnerable.

How do burglars know you aren't home?

High privacy hedges, bushes, and walls around the property. Outdated window and door frames, as well as sliding glass doors or cheap wooden doors. Packages or mail stacking up on a porch or even recycling left out before collection could indicate you have recently gone out of town.

What month do most break-ins happen?

2. During the summer (between June and August) Burglars are caught trying to break in far more often in summer than winter. Burglaries are lowest at the height of winter, and highest during the hottest summer months.

Where not to hide money in your house?

Hiding Places to Avoid:

  • areas that can damage your valuables with water or invasive matter, such as the water tank of a toilet, inside a mayonnaise jar that still has mayonnaise in it, or a paint can filled with paint. ...
  • a jewelry box. ...
  • your desk drawer, bedside drawer, or underwear drawer. ...
  • inside CD cases.

How to make your house unattractive to burglars?

Top 5 Ways to Make Your Home Unattractive to Burglars

  1. Enhance Your Outdoor Lighting. Burglars thrive in the shadows. ...
  2. Utilize Smart Locks. Traditional locks are no longer enough. ...
  3. Install a Professional-Grade Alarm System. ...
  4. Adopt Smart Surveillance. ...
  5. Reinforce Windows and Sliding Doors. ...
  6. Integrating Your Home Security Systems.

Where do burglars never look?

1) Library or a Study Room. Home library or office room with bookshelves. This is an excellent spot to stash your valuables, especially if you have lots of books. It becomes a tedious task for thieves to search between the books, especially when they only have a short amount of time to pull off the theft.

Does leaving a light on at night deter burglars?

Leaving on lights at all times doesn't seem to be an effective way to deter crimes. With a little planning and some home automation equipment, you can use lighting to your advantage and get better peace of mind.

Why should you close your blinds at night?

Closing your blinds or curtains at night can vastly improve your sleep quality. Blocking out streetlights or the early morning sun creates a dark environment, ideal for restful sleep. Your body can maintain a natural sleep cycle without light interruptions, promoting more profound rest.

What is the biggest deterrent for burglars?

The best burglar deterrents combine visible technology, physical barriers, and behavioral habits, with security cameras, bright motion-sensor lighting, and alarm system signs being highly effective for appearing difficult to target. Physical deterrents like deadbolts, reinforced doors/windows, and thorny plants make entry harder, while keeping your home looking occupied (timers, organized deliveries) and trimming overgrown landscaping removes easy opportunities for thieves.
 

How to tell if a burglar is watching your house?

Common Signs Your House Is Being Cased

  1. Sign #1: Parked but Occupied Vehicles. ...
  2. Sign #2: A Knock on the Door. ...
  3. Sign #3: Binoculars and Cameras. ...
  4. Sign #4: Same Faces, Different Day. ...
  5. Sign #5: Strangers in Your Yard. ...
  6. Step #1: Cameras. ...
  7. Step #2: A Home Security System. ...
  8. Step #3: Consider a Dog.

Do Ring doorbells stop burglars?

Yes, Ring doorbells can deter burglars by making them think twice about being recorded, as criminals prefer anonymity, but their effectiveness varies; some studies show crime reduction, while others suggest they can signal an affluent home, attracting thieves, and determined criminals can bypass them, so they work best as part of a layered security system.
 

Do burglars break in when you are sleeping?

- Robbers will monitor your house for up to two weeks before breaking in. - Most attacks occur between 7 pm and midnight, usually when you're relaxing, sleeping, cooking, or watching TV, and your alarm system is not activated. Break-ins can happen until 4 am.

What is the most common entry for burglars?

One of the most common entry points for burglars is a ground level window at the rear side of a home. That's why you should use the same security measures on your windows as you would on your doors. Screens on windows do not guarantee the security of the window.

What are the odds of my house getting broken into?

Burglary is more common than many people realize. In the United States, a home is broken into approximately every 25 to 41 seconds. In this article, we will explore the real chances of a nighttime burglary, when break-ins are most likely to occur, how to stay safe, and what to do if the unthinkable happens.