If you’re a homeowner, you likely have some concerns about your house. Maybe you’re wondering when you need to replace a big-ticket item like a furnace or roof. Or if you should get a lawn service. Or if you picked the right color for your living room. But there’s one nightmare scenario none of us ever wants to contemplate, much less experience: coming home and finding our sanctuary has been violated.
It’s not just about your things. They can be replaced (at least most of the time). It’s the feeling that your private space has been intruded upon. That someone came in, uninvited, looked around, and then helped themselves. Burglaries can leave you feeling invaded and vulnerable.
Unfortunately, burglaries happen every year across Canada. The good news is that the numbers have been declining and are near record lows since 2003. And Canada has one of the lowest burglary rates in the world, receiving an “A” grade. The bad news is that there were still nearly 131,000 burglaries in 2023 (the latest year recorded), and some areas have seen an increase in home invasions in the last couple of years.
If a burglary occurs, it’s important to know how long they typically take and, more importantly, how to prevent them and get intruders to turn around and leave before they gain entry.
How Quickly Burglars Strike
One of the most alarming (no pun intended) facts about home burglaries is how quickly they can happen. According to security industry research, the average burglary lasts under 10 to 12 minutes from the minute they get inside until the minute they leave. In some cases, it’s even less—only 90 seconds.
How do they get in and out so quickly? Many burglars spend a good deal of time assessing the property. Lurking outside. Checking for signs of life. Testing doors and windows for weaknesses. If they do determine the house is easy enough to break into, they can often try to break in within less than a minute.
A mere 15 minutes can stand between them getting in, grabbing the most accessible valuables—especially cash, electronics, jewelry, prescription or illegal drugs, and small portable goods—and getting out.
What the Data Tells Us About How Long Burglars Stay Inside
Canadian data doesn’t always break down time-inside stats, yet there are a couple of clear trends within Canadian crime data that can provide some useful context:
- Home break-ins are estimated to occur as often as every 90 seconds.
- While there’s been a gradual decline in break-and-enter rates overall, property crime—including residential burglaries—still represents a good chunk of incidents reported to police.
- Surprisingly, most burglars aren’t prowling around at night. They’re walking through neighborhoods during broad daylight, looking as inconspicuous as possible. Assessing homes to figure out which ones are worth getting into. Most break-ins happen between 10 am and 3 pm—when many households are empty.
In other words, burglars are often searching out easy, low-risk targets. They want to get in and get out quickly—before they’re even noticed.
Why Burglars Move So Fast
Burglars are looking at their risk vs. reward. Every minute inside a home increases their chances of being seen, heard, and ultimately caught. The longer they’re at one location, the higher the risk of neighbors or passersby noticing that something’s not quite right. A quick in-and-out minimizes the risk.
So, anything that slows them down—or better yet, makes them unsure about entering in the first place—can dramatically reduce the likelihood that they’ll break in.
Deterring Burglars
Fortunately, there are several easy steps homeowners and renters can take to make their homes look like they aren’t worth the risk, including:
Visible and Audible Alarm Systems:
Research shows that burglars are far less likely to target homes with obvious alarms or cameras, which raises the risk of detection and arrest. While audible sirens draw attention to the home, visible cameras indicate they’re being recorded and possibly identified. Surprisingly, alarm signage alone can give a burglar pause.
Smart Lighting and Motion Sensors:
If someone is sneaking about, they prefer shadows and anonymity. Motion-activated lights and well-lit, visible entryways can be incredibly effective at deterring burglars. That’s why it’s a good idea to ensure your property is well-lit, especially near all doors, accessible windows, and dark corners of your property.
Bonus: When you’re away, use timed lights to make your home look occupied. And ask neighbors to keep an eye on your place. Sudden illumination from a neighbor or even a passing car can spook an intruder to give up and move on.
Secure Doors and Windows:
High-quality deadbolts, reinforced door frames, window locks, and patio door bars or security pins are simple security upgrades that can deter burglars. Remember, intruders want to get in and out quickly. They hate anything that makes their entry slower or louder.
Lawn & Property Maintenance:
Believe it or not, staying on top of your yardwork can be a powerful deterrent. Overgrown lawns, walkways that haven’t been shoveled, overgrown bushes (especially ones that can conceal movement), or stacked up mail can suggest that no one’s home. And when it looks like a house isn’t occupied—and won’t be any time soon—it’s more tempting. Again, ask a neighbor to keep an eye out and collect mail when you’re away, and keep your outdoor spaces tidy to deter intruders.
Neighborhood Connections:
Speaking of neighbors, burglars often target homes that appear more isolated. Being a part of a connected community—especially one that shares suspicious behavior—can make a big difference. Criminals don’t want to deal with security systems or human alarm systems.
Key Takeaways:
To get burglars to turn around and leave, use psychology to deter them. Burglars are looking for homes that provide the least amount of risk possible. Help them understand that your home isn’t an easy target by:
- Ensuring cameras are obvious and pointed toward entry points.
- Posting alarm system decals on doors and windows.
- Keeping your property well-lit.
- Adding unpredictability by turning on and off lights during the day when you’re away.
- Removing potential hiding spots by maintaining your landscaping.
Using these types of strategies increases the perceived effort and risk of breaking in, which encourages potential burglars to walk away. Yay!
Safety Starts with Strong Deterrence
Home invasions can be surprisingly quick—and the impact goes far beyond lost property. The good news is that most burglars are very risk-averse. So, taking even small steps often stops crimes from ever happening (at least on your property).
Visible security systems, professionally monitored alarm systems, motion-activated lighting, reinforced doors and windows, and smart environmental designs can all work together to keep your home safe. After all, a home that looks protected and actively monitored is unappealing to burglars.
At Home-Alarms.ca, we help Canadians choose and install professionally monitored security systems designed to keep your home, property, and loved ones safer by deterring crime and detecting threats early.
If you are ready for expert guidance on the right security setup for your home (or are looking to upgrade your current protection), we’re here to help. Contact us at 1-855-518-4458 to speak with one of our friendly experts to learn more about smart home security solutions tailored to your needs.