If there is one thing about the digital age that should concern all of us, it is the fact that so many people can be duped into believing things they otherwise would have dismissed out of hand. The old joke that ‘I read it online so it must be true’ is more reality than most people think.
If you are not aware of one of the latest digital trends to fool millions, I am about to tell you what that trend is. It’s a trick. Don’t fall for it. And if you have already fallen for it, stand up and dust yourself off. Take the tinfoil off your front door and move on with your life.
Of course, dear readers, I’m referring to the trend of allegedly thwarting burglars by wrapping your front door handle in tinfoil. It has become a viral trend in both the U.S. and the UK. Here’s the problem: putting tinfoil on your front door handle only makes you look naive. It doesn’t stop burglars. It doesn’t even scare them.
What It’s All About
So what is this tinfoil trend all about? Allegedly, wrapping the handle of your front door in tinfoil will deter burglars. The deterrence allegedly rests in the following three things:
- The tinfoil will make noise when someone tries to open the door, thereby alerting the homeowner to a potential burglary.
- Opening a door with a handle covered in tinfoil is more difficult. This slows burglars down.
- Seeing the tinfoil crumpled or out of place alerts a homeowner to the possibility that someone tried to break in.
This all sounds well and good, but it’s nonsense. A piece of tinfoil on the door handle will not deter a skilled burglar. And in fact, tinfoil might be in indication that you don’t take home security seriously. It could actually invite a burglar to hit your house.
Incidentally, the tinfoil trend originated from a clickbait ad that actually had nothing to do with home security. The ad demonstrated the practice of protecting a handle when painting the door. Wrapping it in tinfoil keeps paint away.
More Reliable Ways to Protect Your Home
So as a reminder, forget wrapping the front door handle in tinfoil. It doesn’t work. Instead, there are more reliable ways to protect your home. Let us begin by talking about electronic home security.
An affordable home security system from a provider like Vivint Home Security features state-of-the-art equipment, professional installation, and 24/7 remote monitoring. You get everything you need to deter crime and respond immediately in the event that a crime occurs.
A good entry-level security system includes sensors for first-floor windows and doors, at least one video camera, and a companion app for remote access and control. You can build on an entry-level system by adding more cameras, sensors, etc.
Don’t Forget Non-Electronic Strategies
Electronic home security is a great defense against property crimes. But it should not be your only defense. Make sure you are employing non-electronic strategies as well. For example, make the effort to keep trees and shrubs well-trimmed so that they do not block the view of your home from the street.
Don’t leave lawn tools, bicycles, and children’s toys outside. Secure first-floor doors with deadbolt locks and all first-floor windows with sash locks. And never allow your home to look unoccupied for extended amounts of time.
No burglar is going to be chased away by a piece of tinfoil on the front door. Do not fall for this supposed home security trick. Burglars certainly haven’t fallen for it.