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
Image used with permission by copyright holder

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
Image used with permission by copyright holder

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…
Do you need primer every time you paint? Well … it’s complicated
Here's when you should use primer and when you can skip it
Woman painting

The question of whether to prime before painting seems as old as, well, painting itself. The answer seems to be different depending on who you talk to. Paint manufacturers say "yes" — it is an essential wall painting technique — because they want the best possible surface for the paint to shine. Do-it-yourself (DIY) fans seem less thrilled about the process, mostly because it takes more time and money.

So, do you need primer when you paint? The reality is that not every painting project is the same, and the answer is not a clear-cut one.

Read more
Why your home should have an areca palm (and how to care for it)
Tips for properly caring for an indoor areca palm plant
Decorative areca palm

Your aesthetic indoor plants should reflect your unique style, and they should integrate seamlessly with your home's decor. Indoor palms are a joy for anyone wanting to bring a piece of the greenery from warmer climates into their interior design. If you're looking for a bold, tropical addition to your indoor space, an areca palm is a perfect choice. With their substantial height and sharp, feathery foliage, these palms add a fresh and bright statement to any room. Let's talk about the benefits of growing an areca palm in your home and how to care for this gorgeous plant properly.
Can an areca palm grow indoors?
While they can get substantially taller when planted outdoors, areca palms can still grow pretty well and actually make for fantastic indoor plants, reaching heights between six and seven feet tall. They'll grow between six to ten inches every year until they reach their mature height. Then these plants can last up to a decade indoors. You can limit the size of your areca palm by housing it in a planter that keeps it root-bound.

Benefits of having an areca palm indoors
Not only does this tall indoor plant bring aesthetic design and a mood-lifting splash of the tropics into your home, but it also offers numerous health benefits. This attractive palm can improve indoor air quality by removing toxins and adding humidity to the air, which is great if your indoor air tends to be a bit dry. Caring for a living thing like this palm is also a mood booster in itself.

Read more
6 popular paint colors for basements that will brighten your home’s dungeon
Say goodbye to your dark basement and add one of these hues to brighten your space
Finished basement seating area with white walls and carpet

Whether you have a finished basement or one that's barely livable, your basement probably doesn't have a whole lot of natural light. While there are other ways to brighten this space (proper lighting, for one), the paint color you choose for your basement will make or break the space.  The right shade can enhance the basement, making it appear larger, and can also contribute to an overall happy, comfortable atmosphere your friends and family will love. But what hues are best for these often dark and dingy spaces? Today, we're sharing some popular paint colors for basements that will help brighten up the space.

With a fresh coat of paint and a few well-chosen pieces of decor, your basement will no longer be just a drab laundry room or overflow storage space. These are the popular paint colors for basements we love, and we think you will too.
What color paint goes in a basement?
The right color for your basement greatly depends on the amount of natural light available. For homeowners with windowless basements, you'll want to lean into cooler tones, brighter hues, and colors that aren't too bold. Whites, pale blues, and cool-toned grays will help brighten the space and lift the atmosphere, even if you only have artificial lighting.

Read more