Effective burglary protection in the private home is essential despite falling burglary figures: anyone who has experienced thieves forcibly entering their home, destroying their privacy and damaging their property will never forget it. In addition to burglar-resistant windows and entrance doors, good neighbours and a manageable home environment also contribute to secure burglary protection. Such precautions are necessary with almost 320 burglaries every day somewhere in Germany. Of these, not even 20 per cent are solved.
- The biggest burglary risks.
- Tips for window, door and security technology that can stop burglars.
- current online sources for financial support for burglar-resistant flat doors.
1. burglary risks: Is my home at risk of burglary?
Location, location, location: unfortunately, it is also decisive for the risk of burglary. Quiet, secluded locations are not only attractive on the property market. They also magically attract thieves. Because here they can work undisturbed. And they often cause the most damage.
Here are the top 5 burglary risks:
- is close to the motorway. Burglars also appreciate good transport links: They can be there - and gone - quickly.
- has a secluded location, without neighbours or infrastructure.
- is grown in, hidden behind dense hedges, in a park or surrounded by green spaces. It's not just the residents who have peace and quiet, shielded from the outside world. Burglars also have all the time in the world to get into the house completely undisturbed.
- has a poorly lit and/or hidden cellar door: Burglars like to work in secret here too.
- has no professionally installed burglary protection.
2. can burglars also break open locked doors?
If nobody hears windows splintering or door frames bursting for miles around, then the damage is all the greater in these high-risk locations. This is because burglars can often use brute force to smash, break open and chisel away any obstacles without haste. The police therefore advise installing windows and doors with a higher security class. In addition, residents should definitely install a modern alarm system (or have one installed).
Incidentally, burglary professionals can break doors or windows out of their frames in under a minute. If they don't have to be quiet, it's even quicker. Have you bought your doors and windows cheaply on the internet and not had them professionally installed? Then burglars have an easy game! Even if such a door is "locked" ...
3. what protects against burglary? Certified burglary protection, locking system and plenty of light.
But what actually makes a resistant burglary protection door? First of all, it is professionally installed and firmly anchored in the masonry. Such a burglar-resistant door in accordance with DIN EN 1627ff can be recognised by its certificate. From resistance class (RC) 2, the police also speak of "good burglary protection". In this case, the entire door with all its individual elements offers burglars no weak points. Anyone wishing to retrofit existing standard doors and windows with burglar-resistant features must observe DIN 18104 (Parts 1 and 2) for so-called "retrofit systems".
Burglars prefer to work in the dark. Therefore, a safe, good light source can deter them. Motion detectors - out of reach of thieves - reinforce this effect. Incidentally, burglars are also professionals when it comes to security technology. So don't use dummy cameras or alarm systems! A functioning video camera does not have a permanently flashing red light.
4 Which flat entrance door is burglar-proof?
High-quality burglar-resistant doors are tested and certified in accordance with EN 1627 - as is the case with GARANT. Burglar-resistant residential entrance doors only receive the security certificate if they are manufactured strictly in accordance with the standardised design specifications.
The doors must pass many impact and load tests during the inspection before they go on sale. Simply kicking or pushing them in is not an option here, that's for sure! Each individual door model is subjected to a weak point analysis. Only specially manufactured and independently tested individual parts are used. Because every single element must be able to withstand burglars in an emergency.
5 How do I prevent a break-in?
- Maintaining good contact with neighbours also helps to keep your home safe. Attentive neighbours have thwarted many a burglary attempt.
- Give your keys to a trusted person while you are on holiday. This will not only ensure that your letterbox is always empty, but also that there is movement in and around your home.
- The front door key must not be left under the door mat or under the flower pot. Because every burglar knows these hiding places!
- If you are travelling for a longer period of time, you should never leave messages on your answering machine with holiday information.
- Facebook posts from your holiday are also a bad idea. Because thieves are just as active on social media.
- Don't forget: Always lock everything when you leave your home! Windows, flat and front doors.
6 Who pays for burglary protection at home?
There is currently no statutory minimum standard for private burglary protection. Instead, tenants make a voluntary commitment if they want to invest in the security of their home. The landlord is not obliged to do so. The good news is that landlords can apply for a subsidy if they want to make their home burglar-proof. For example, the Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW) will cover up to 20 per cent of the costs for a new, burglar-resistant entrance door.
7. what does a burglary protection door cost?
House or flat owners like to invest in a beautiful designer door - but burglary protection is often forgotten. This can be very expensive!
Yet burglar-proof doors are available from as little as €1,000: from simple standard door models to attractive designer doors, GARANT's diverse range offers a burglar-proof solution for every budget. Added to this are the costs for professional installation, without which such a door is not burglar-proof.
Burglar-resistant doors can also be supplemented with additional functions such as sound insulation, smoke protection or climate stability on request.
Link list burglary protection at home
- The figures for domestic burglary are falling, as shown by the crime statistics of the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA), which are published here every spring: www.bka.de/.../...
- (K)Einbruch is a police initiative for safe burglary protection. Here you can also find tips on burglar-resistant windows and doors, smart home solutions and certificates: www.k-einbruch.de/.../...
- More police advice on burglar-resistant products, complete and retrofit systems: www.polizei-beratung.de/.../...
- Private burglary protection is the responsibility of the tenant. There are funding opportunities here:
- The GARANT burglary protection door has a police seal of approval and DIN CERTCO.