Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Home Maintenance

Do home security signs really work?

Deb Goncalves
By

Home security signs are one of the most common alternatives to physical home security systems like loud security sirens, mounted surveillance cameras, motion-activated floodlights, and keyless door locks. While inexpensive home security signs are appealing and easier to install than a full system, they’re typically not enough to deter theft, especially against experienced robbers. Let’s go over some reasons why security signs are inadequate, and review more efficient methods.

How many robberies and burglaries occur each year?

“According to the FBI statistics, a burglar strikes every 30 seconds in the US. That adds up to two burglaries every minute and over 3,000 burglaries per day. Last year, a burglar struck every 26 seconds, so the rate of burglaries is going down nationwide. But break-ins and burglaries still came in as the most-mentioned property crime worry in the 2021,” as quoted in State of Safety Survey.

home security

So why don’t home security signs work as well as real alarm systems?

Based on the statistics above, a veteran burglar can easily spot fake security signs. Additionally, they will have spent some time checking out your home for surveillance cameras, sirens, and other systems. However, criminals who make an impulsive decision to break into your home might be easily deterred by a home security sign, so in this case, taking basic precautions like locking the door and drawing the curtains might be enough, says Safety.com.

Recommended Videos

Another reason why signs might not work is if you do indeed have a security system in place and you have the logos out on your front lawn, burglars who are familiar with the company’s devices might be able to hack them and shut down your defenses. This is less common for home burglaries, but is possible amongst committed criminals.

Lastly, home security signs won’t hold back burglars who are intoxicated or under the influence. They will act irrationally, and a sign or two won’t stop them from attempting to break into your home.

home security

What can I do to protect my home?

If you do have an alarm system and want to install security signs on your front yard, use a different company’s logo or an ambiguous sign without a specific company. This will prevent burglars who know how to disable certain alarm brands easily.

If you want to protect your home but don’t want to install a full system, purchase at least one alarm device. You might install a keypad that generates a loud, blaring siren if burglars attempt to type in the code. Motion-activated floodlights are also very effective, as they spook out potential burglars.

Remote, phone-activated house lights are also a good idea if you’re away from home regularly, suggests Bob Vila. These, combined with a surveillance camera, allow you to pretend like you’re home even though you might actually be three states away. This is especially important if your family is going on a long vacation, leaving your home exposed. You might even install dummy security cameras, which are available in detailed replicas that mimic working models. Place these at different points of entry like your front door and back or side gate.

For more physical security, install pick-proof, reinforced lock plates. These prevent thieves from jimmying door locks, and are a good extra layer of defense. You might also considering putting up large “BEWARE OF DOG” signs, which can scare away burglars.
Another guarantee against property loss might be getting home insurance against theft. Of course, keep in mind that you’ll only gain back monetary assets, so you run the risk of losing sentimental items.

Homes without security systems are three times more likely to experience a burglary. With such a staggering statistic, trusting home security systems will more likely put your mind at ease. If you have a working alarm system, putting up home security signs is a practical first line of defense, but we suggest installing at least one set of floodlights, a keyless lock pad, or a few dummy surveillance cameras to protect your home and belongings. In the meantime, if you want to know more about home security, take a look at our article on home security basics.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Deb Goncalves
Deb Goncalves
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Deb's work has appeared on Moms, Babygaga, and WorldAtlas. When she's not working (that's hard to say about a Capricorn), she…
Study shows 25% of homeowners want to move, but we have 5 reasons not to sell your home
Costly mortgages, high interest rates, and a fluctuating market - why you shouldn't sell right now
For sale sign in front yard of suburban home

The housing market has cooled significantly since the soaring prices we saw in 2022. As housing costs continue to come back down, some homeowners are looking to sell their homes. A study done by Redfin found that "nearly one-quarter (24.1%) of U.S. homebuyers looked to move to a different metro area in the three months ending in October."

With almost 25% of Americans eager to sell their properties and move to a new metro area, it's easy to get swept up in all the excitement. However, now may not be the best time to sell. Here are five reasons not to sell your home.

Read more
Is it safe to sleep with a space heater on? What you need to know
Find out if having a space heater on overnight is safe
Woman sleeping in bed with child

When it’s practically freezing outside, but your apartment or home doesn’t have central heating, it can be more than uncomfortable. You may try layering up the blankets on the bed or drawing the heavy curtains across the windows to deter chilly breezes, but there are some nights where even that isn't enough to trap the limited heat available. Even if you have built-in heating, the vents may not reach certain spots in your home, and in this case, a space heater is the best solution.

Still, leaving a space heater on overnight can be worrisome. What happens if it falls over during the night? What sorts of things should you consider before leaving it on overnight? If you’re asking yourself, "Is it safe to sleep with a heater on?" don't fret. We’ve got the answer here.

Read more
Recall alert: These popular washing machines could pose a fire hazard
Keep your family safe by checking your Samsung washing machine now
Close-up of a laundry basket and washing machine

Washing machines have advanced over the years with tons of new tech and styles. Still, whether your preference is a top or front-loader, most people's top concern is safety regarding home appliances. Many of today's best washing machines are quieter, gentler, smarter, clean better, and easier to use than models of yesteryear. However, do all of those features come with more risk? Samsung is a leader in all things home appliances, but in late December, more than 660,000 Samsung washing machines were recalled.

How do I know I have an affected model?
The washing machine recall from Samsung warns customers "that the machine could short-circuit and overheat, posing a fire hazard," according to CNN.com. Samsung reportedly received 51 reports of incidents involving "smoking, melting, overheating, or fire involving the washers" -- 3 of these reports resulted in injuries (from smoke inhalation) and 10 resulted in property damages.

Read more