A five-minute nightly check of doors, windows, and security systems can significantly reduce the risk of home burglaries, suggesting that most crimes are opportunistic rather than sophisticated.
Security lapses are often less dramatic than people imagine. In Spencer Coursen’s book, The Safety Trap, he recounts a case in which a wealthy client left a key fob near the front door, allowing a thief to enter quietly, take the fob and drive off in the man’s car while he slept nearby. The point of the story is not extravagance but routine: if a home is left easy to enter, an opportunist may not need much time or skill to succeed.
That is the logic behind what Coursen calls the “9 p.m. routine”, a short nightly check that can be done at any time of day so long as it is done consistently. The Art of Manliness says the habit takes about five minutes and is meant to remove simple openings before bedtime. That means confirming every exterior door is locked, every accessible window is shut and secured and any blinds are drawn so the interior is not visible from outside.
The advice closely matches guidance from police and home-security specialists. Merseyside Police says doors should be double-locked and windows secured every time a property is left unattended, while Thames Valley Police stresses that a home is only as secure as its weakest entry point. GuideOne Insurance adds that stronger frames, deadbolt locks, secure strike plates and properly fitted window locks can make forced entry more difficult, and SafeHome recommends window coverings and additional locks for sliding doors and other vulnerable openings.
The routine should also extend beyond the house itself. If a vehicle is parked outside, it should be locked and cleared of valuables, especially items that can tempt theft from the car or from the home, such as key fobs or firearms. If a security system is installed, it should be activated before sleep. Exterior lighting can help too, particularly when linked to a timer or automated switch so the house does not look unoccupied.
The broader lesson is straightforward. Most burglaries are not elaborate operations; they are often crimes of convenience. A few deliberate checks each night will not make a home impenetrable, but they can remove the easy route that many offenders are looking for. For homeowners, that makes consistency more valuable than complexity.
Disclaimer: This content is intended for informational purposes only. Readers are advised to exercise their own judgement, conduct due diligence, or consult a qualified expert before acting on any information provided.
