Dark season, safe home: How to ruin the tour for burglars in winter, ARAG SE, Story

Latch in front
The police strongly recommend mechanical security over all electronic security devices. Not that the most secure locks can’t be picked. But in the event of a break-in, things should happen quickly and any hurdle can cause a break-in and therefore your own protection. According to ARAG experts, tested and certified burglary-resistant doors and windows according to DIN-EN 1627 with resistance class 2 are ideal, as they can withstand screwdrivers and typical burglary tools. Closed roller shutters or shutters are also an additional obstacle. If you don’t want to completely convert or retrofit, you can also use additional locks. For example, special latches or brackets that keep the door firmly closed despite the door lock being broken or that only open it a gap are ideal.

It is worth replacing the handles on windows as this is easy to do – this is particularly recommended on the ground floor or for windows that face the balcony. Sliding doors to terraces should be specifically fixed by inserting a suitable insert into the rail of one half of the door from the inside, which blocks them from being opened. But according to ARAG experts, easy-to-use safety bars are also available for every simple balcony door.

Precisely

Defying the darkness is the first thing you can do. House, apartment and especially patio doors should therefore never be left in the dark. If you don’t want to keep your entrance area, stairwell or garden under constant lighting, you can use motion detectors that bathe the relevant areas in a dazzling light as soon as someone approaches. ARAG experts also recommend lighting indoors, as this suggests that someone is at home. Even at night, a small lamp that can be seen from outside can unsettle burglars. In addition, TV simulators are available. These are small devices whose flickering, when viewed from the outside, resembles that of a television.

Sound on

Although dummy cameras and warning signs in front of alarm systems that do not actually exist can deceive burglars, the ARAG experts recommend using the real model, especially when it comes to alarm systems, as this will actually ensure that the burglary attempt is aborted in an emergency. Not only do they attract immediate attention in the neighborhood with their loud howls – burglars also know that the systems are often connected to a security service or even the police, who can appear at the door in a flash. There are many models, both for windows and doors, that can be retrofitted. However, if you decide to do this, you should pay attention to quality when purchasing, installing and maintaining it. These can be recognized by the standards DIN EN 50130, 50131, 50136 and DIN VDE 0833 (parts 1 and 3) as well as by certified craftsmen. By the way, real cameras are only permitted if they are aimed at your own property; anything else is an infringement on general personal rights (Federal Court of Justice, Ref.: V ZR 265/10).

train and finance

Before taking any measures, it is advisable to get good advice. ARAG experts therefore provide information about a current police action in North Rhine-Westphalia. Under the motto “Shut up – safer is safer” the dangers in the dark months are highlighted. Part of the campaign includes individual advice on how to protect yourself. The commissioners for crime prevention and victim protection are usually responsible, and of course they can also be reached in all other federal states.

And another tip from the ARAG experts: Federal and state funding programs provide financial support for measures to protect against break-ins. This can take the form of investment grants or low-interest loans. In addition, repayment subsidies can be applied for. The funding is available through the KfW banking group or the burglary protection program of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection, which can be found in the federal funding database.

Cars in focus

As darkness sets in earlier and earlier, it’s not just your own four walls that are in the focus of thieves. Vehicles are also very popular. The criminals are not just after the car body, but also popular car parts such as on-board computers, steering wheels, airbags or catalytic converters. According to the General Association of Insurers, the damage to insurers last year amounted to 124 million euros, around ten million euros more than the previous year. The ARAG experts point out that theft of permanently installed parts is covered by partial or fully comprehensive insurance. However, this does not apply to valuables that are not permanently installed. Anyone who leaves their smartphone or handbag, an expensive piece of clothing or other valuables in the vehicle will be left with the damage if thieves take hold.

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