Door to me: how to protect a house from a thief during the New Year holidays
On the eve of the New Year holidays and Christmas trips, the problem of protecting empty housing becomes extremely urgent. Experts told Izvestia what tricks modern thieves use, how effective security alarms are, and how to protect themselves from burglars.
From cookies under the rug to beacons
Seasonality plays a crucial role in the activity of criminals: the number of thefts from urban apartments is growing in summer, and from country houses in autumn and winter, says Police Colonel Igor Kirsanov, acting head of the Department of Non–Departmental Security of the Rosgvardiya in the Moscow Region. Therefore, it is necessary to protect both from encroachments.
Most apartment thefts are preceded by intelligence — experienced criminals carefully check whether the owners will return at the most inopportune moment before paying a visit.
"The attackers' tactics have become more subtle and sophisticated than before," Colonel Kirsanov told Izvestia. — Mailboxes overflowing with newspapers are a thing of the past — few people use them today. But advertising stickers on the door or an uncomplicated presence detector in the form of cookies placed under the mat can be a clear signal to a thief: the owners are not at home. If [the cookies] are not crushed, the apartment is in danger.
Another danger is special GPS "beacons" that can be discreetly attached to a car to track when a family goes to the country or on vacation. The main recommendation is not to advertise your plans on social networks and ask neighbors to remove all suspicious objects at the door, creating a presence effect.
The equipment is on guard
"One of the ways to prevent apartment thefts is through security equipment," says an officer of the Russian Guard. — For example, non-departmental security specialists can strengthen windows, install sensors that transmit signals not just to the phone to the owner, but directly to the armed crew of the detention group.
As confirmation of the effectiveness, the colonel cites statistics for the incomplete year 2025: employees of the Rosgvardiya Department of Internal Affairs near Moscow responded to more than 75 thousand alarms. There are 73 centralized security points in the region, 170 armed crews go out on routes every day.
"The number [of thefts] has decreased, partly due to our efforts, but it is still impossible to completely eliminate such crimes," Igor Kirsanov states.
How the alarm system works
An expert in electrical engineering told Izvestia about the intricacies of technical security of housing.
— Modern security alarms are classified according to the type of alarm transmission and the complexity of installation, — said Sergey Koltsov, an operational engineer at one of the security companies. — The central element of any system is a control panel that processes sensor data. It can be the simplest device with a GSM module for sending SMS alerts to the owner. More advanced versions transmit a signal to the monitoring station and to the mobile application, allowing remote control of the system: arming/disarming, monitoring activity, and managing user access.
To protect against sabotage, the control panel is often placed covertly, and the wireless keyboard for control is located separately, for example, at the entrance. Damage to the keyboard will not disrupt the system, and the intrusion signal will be transmitted to the host.
As for apartment security, the basic kit includes a panel, motion sensors and an opening.
— Modern systems allow you to use a "partial" security mode (for example, only for opening), while remaining protected inside the apartment. The systems can be supplemented with fire, leak, and gas sensors. For maximum safety, it is recommended to choose services with monitoring and on-site response team visits.
By the way, in addition to Rosgvardiya, such services are provided by commercial security structures.
What is suitable for a cottage
Setting up an alarm system in a cottage will require a different set of tools, taking into account a large area, several entrances, floors and a perimeter, Koltsov notes.
— Professional calculation of the number and location of sensors is of key importance. An important option is the "night mode", which allows you to guard only part of the premises when residents are inside. The speed of arrival of the response team is especially critical for country houses.
Life hacks from burglars
Dummy surveillance cameras can have a preventive effect, but experienced intruders often recognize them, the expert explains.
— For reliable protection, they must be combined with real cameras, — says Koltsov. — The choice of the system should take into account the specifics of the facility, and installation should be better trusted by professionals who will diagnose vulnerabilities. For correct operation, it is necessary to change the batteries in the wireless devices in a timely manner, inform the installer about the presence of pets for proper sensor configuration, and appoint trusted persons to access emergency services.
Colonel Igor Kirsanov gave several recommendations for those who leave their homes for a long time.:
- Silence is golden. Do not post photos and geolocations from your vacation in real time on social networks.
Come to an agreement with the neighbors. Let them pick up the mail, take the ads off the door, turn the lights on and off.
Close the windows and curtains. Especially on the lower floors.
Install an alarm system. This is the basic and most reliable level of protection.
"All these actions may seem like small things, but they often prevent theft," the expert emphasizes. In his opinion, protecting property is not an unnecessary waste, but a reasonable investment in one's own peace of mind.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
