The biggest concern for people, especially house owners, is home burglary, making them lose their sleep and causing anxiety and stress.
This crime creates fear among people, especially when they hear about a recent burglary in the neighborhood, as no one knows when it could happen.
Burglars can enter the house through places they think are less secure, like windows, doors, roofs, etc.
Roof burglary is one of the most common ways of break-in into a house. House owners think that the doors and windows are the main points for burglars to enter the house, and they secure these places, but roofs are the weakest points of entry as they are less secure, and people neglect that.
People install alarms, sensors, and other forms of protection around the gates, doors, and windows, but they do not usually do that for the roof.
There are different ways to keep the roof burglar-proof. Some of the methods to do so are:
- Install motion sensor lights.
- Install CCTV cameras.
- Block easy access to the roof.
- Secure the roof hatch.
- Secure the roof vent and skylights.
- Update the security system.
Burglars enter the house through the roof, as traditional roofs have the tiles not fixed, which makes it easy for the burglars to remove the tiles and enter the house.
Other ways burglars break into a house are through the roof by removing the roof vent, through the skylight, or creating a hole on the rooftop and removing the whole roof.
Different Ways To Keep The Roof Burglar Proof
There are different ways to keep burglars off the roof and away from the house.
1. Installing Motion Sensor Lights
Burglars hide in dark places and enter the house using these areas as they go undetected.
Installing motion sensor lights at different places covering the whole building, including the roof, is necessary. Installing one or two motion sensor lights on the rooftop is a good idea.
The sensor lights detect movement and will light up when someone goes near the building, such as near the door, the window, the roof, etc.
Burglars do not want to get caught, so they avoid entering such houses and look for buildings having less security.
Use a timer motion sensor light even when you are not around; the burglars will think that people are at home.
2. Installing CCTV Cameras
CCTV cameras installation are at the places like the gate, door, and lawn, and they mostly do not cover the roof area, giving a safe passage for burglars to a break-in, so it is a must to install CCTV cameras at such angles that cover the roof well.
The CCTV cameras will show if someone attempts to enter the house through the roof.
3. Block Easy Access to the Roof
Burglars look for easy access and will not forgo any weakest point to enter the house.
It is necessary to make the roof more secure by:
- Never keep the ladder outside; only keep it out when you need it and then take it inside. A burglar can use the ladder to go to the roof and inside the house.
- Cut the bushes and trees around the house short. A burglar uses these bushes and trees to go to the rooftop. Sometimes, they hide between the bushes or trees and wait for a chance to enter the house.
- Avoid keeping the dustbins outside and lock them inside to stop burglars from using them to climb on the roof.
4. Secure the Roof Hatch
Roof hatches are one of the easiest ways for burglars to enter the house if they are not secured; they can open the hatch and enter the house.
It is necessary to check the hatch regularly to ensure the handles and hinges are safe, not broken, and there is no sign of tampering with them. If they are old, it is better to change them, as minor tampering with an old item will break it.
Replacing the old handles and hinges is a good option, and replacing the hinge with tamper-proof hardware is highly recommended.
The design of the temper-proof hardware protects against forced entry. Burglars will not be able to tamper with them easily.
Additionally, having a lock on the handle will provide more protection and prevent burglars from entering the house.
- It is a must to check the roof hatch now and then to see that everything is fine and that there are no broken parts.
- Additionally, installing galvanized sheets or similar products on the roof can add another layer of security.
5. Secure the Roof Vents and Skylights
Roof vents and skylights are other ways burglars can enter the house if they are not secured. Burglars target places like these to make entry as they know that people usually do not pay attention to the roof as much as they care about the doors and windows when setting up the security.
They can easily remove a few nuts using a screwdriver and enter the house through the roof vents, so it is necessary to cover it with security bars.
Skylights are another easy access points for burglars to enter the house. Using a screwdriver or drill, removing the screws is easy for burglars.
To prevent burglars from entering through the skylight, replacing the standard glass with burglary-resistant glass is necessary.
Moreover, installing security bars or steel grills will increase security and make it hard for burglars to tamper with the skylight.
Installing security bars for the air ducts is also as important as for any other entry points to the house.
6. Install and Update the Security System
With the increase in the burglary rate, houses without a security system are like unlocked houses; burglars can enter them without any hinder.
Installing a security system is as important as installing a door to a building, as it will notify the house owners if there is any intrusion in the house. It is necessary to fix the security system properly so that it detects any intrusions from the roof too.
Additionally, the security system needs to be up to date; check with the company for any latest security updates, and provide correct personal information to the company, so if there is any issue, they can resolve the issue in no time.
Precautions To Keep the Burglars Away
- Do not post everything about your trip plans on social media. It is basically like inviting burglars to make plans to break in.
- Paying attention to the backyard of the house by installing sensor motion lights and CCTV cameras; burglars hide in the backyard if there is no security and then will go up on the roof and enter the house.
- Linking the electric fence with the alarm system will discourage burglars from entering the premises and reaching the roof.
- Professional burglars are skillful, and to prevent them from entering the house, one has to think like them, secure the premises, and not let any chance for them to get near the building.
- Do not let any stranger see the inside of the house through the windows or other visible places.
- It is better to light up the whole premise and building, including the roof, so that burglars do not have a chance to enter and hide in the dark.
- Having a big dog pet can also discourage burglars from entering that house, as they will avoid places where their chance of getting caught is high.
Conclusion
Making the roof burglar-proof has become more necessary with the increase in burglary through entering from the roof and inside the house.
There are some ways to prevent a burglar from entering the house. People are paying more attention to their roofs now by installing CCTV cameras and motion sensor lights, paying attention to their security systems, making them more secure, and many more.
The best way to prevent burglars from noticing the house is to be careful not to catch their eyes. Additionally, one should regularly check all the security systems and the premise and make sure there is no unusual movement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can We Use Anti-Climb Protections To Keep the Burglar Away From the Roof?
Yes! Using anti-climb paint on surfaces having direct or indirect access to the roof, like downpipes, etc. It makes the surface slippery and unable to climb.
Can We Add More Layers to the Roof Against Theft?
Yes! House owners can add more wood and metals to the roof to make it more secure. Moreover, installing products like galvanized sheets below the tiles provides another layer of protection.
