Why Wrap Door Knobs In Aluminum Foil When You’re Alone (the truth)

If you’ve seen countless websites claiming you should wrap you door knobs in foil when you’re home alone, you might assume there is some form of security benefit. 

However, the truth of the matter is actually very different. 

Usually the websites claiming you should wrap your door knobs in foil when your alone only go on to say it’ll help you keep them protected while painting or varnishing your door. 

So Why Do They Specify “When You’re Home On Your Own”?

We are not sure exactly why they specifically mention doing this when you are on your own at home (maybe you have some ideas you could share in the comments?), but it did get us thinking about possible easy things you could do for security purposes that will actually help secure your home when you’re alone. 

Would Wrapping My Door Handle Actually Increase Safety?

If a burglar broke into your home and saw you had aluminium foil wrapped around your doorhandles, we can’t seem to think of any reason why it would deter them, make them leave or stop them stealing things. 

There is always a chance that they could be confused by it, as it would certainly be unexpected. So maybe there’s an angle there? But for the most part it’s a pointless activity (although it does look kind of cool). 

Things You Can Do That’ll Actually Help

Here are a  list of things you could do that would actually help secure your home against burglars with common household items. 

Create A Routine To Check You Have Locked All Doors And Windows 

I know, you’re probably a little frustrated right now because you thought there was going to be some sort of cool thing wrapping your door handle in aluminium foil achieved and instead you’re getting told to check you’ve locked your doors and windows, but did you know that 1 in 3 home burglars enter through unlock windows and doors?

By simply ensuring you’re not making it super easy for people to enter into your home, you’ll reduce the chances of it actually happening significantly. So why not make it a habit to check before you leave the house and before you sleep at night?

Buy A Home Security Camera

These work as a great deterrent as well as evidence to potentially help catch the thief if you do ever get burgled. 

And the best part? They’re not anywhere near as expensive as they used to be! 

If You Leave A Spare Key Somewhere, Don’t Make It Obvious 

When people leave spare keys under the doormat, they’re almost asking to be burgled. Because it doesn’t take too much imagination to figure out that that’s probably where they’re going to keep the key. 

The same goes for leaving a spare key under a plant pot. 

Instead, why not purchase a lockbox and ensure no one else can get into it? (another cheap option). 

If Your Door Opens Inwards, Place A Shoe Behind It

This may be enough, if the burglar force is the door open to push the door back towards the burglar and fool them into thinking that there is someone standing on the opposite side of the door. 

If nothing else, it’ll slow them down and make a louder noise than you’d otherwise hear. 

Get A Motion Activated Light

This is another cheap option that works as a great deterrent as you can get a light that is activated by motion near your property that’ll switch on any time someone comes near it. 

To the opportunistic thief, this may look like you have turned your light on because you have spotted them. 

Have You Got Anymore Tips?

If you’ve got any more tips you’d like to share with other readers of this article to help keep them safe when they’re home alone, please share them below in the comments.