The lights are on but nobody's home. And that's a good thing, if you're a homeowner.
Keeping your casa secure from burglars, however, takes a bit of forethought and planning, particularly during the holiday season.
One way to trick sneaky thieves into thinking someone is home is with lighting.
"Burglars hate lights," says security expert and locksmith Frank Fourchalk.
The provincially-licensed consultant suggests putting indoor lights on a timer, installing outdoor lights at the entranceway and placing motion sensor lights around the perimeter of the home.
"Motion lighting should be installed out of arms reach," he adds. "And if you can't do that, then install a protective cage around the fixture to slow the removal of the bulb."
It's all about deterring the robbers and not giving them any breaks. They're desperate people and it's up to the homeowner to give them a hard time.
"About half of home burglaries are committed without force," says Fourchalk. "A burglar will spot an open door or window in a matter of minutes -- they're opportunists. They take advantage of the moment."
Beth Butler didn't think twice about leaving her door open until she was robbed.
"Home security was not a concern until our house was broken into," says Butler from Midland, Ont. "We thought 'this will never happen to us,' and it did."
Burglars don't usually spend more than 60 seconds trying to break into a home, adds Fourchalk, and says good quality deadbolts are the homeowners' first line of defence.
"Deadbolts should have at least a one-inch throw and the cavity has to be deep enough for the bolt not to make any contact," he says. "The bolt should be surrounded by space and air and the strike plate should have three-inch screws going into the doorframe."
