5 Overlooked Entry Points Burglars Target (And How to Secure Them)

If you ask the average homeowner where a burglar is most likely to break in, the answers are almost always “front door” or “first-floor window.” Yet seasoned thieves don’t think like the average homeowner—they feel like problem-solvers. According to data compiled by CPI Security, nearly 30 % of residential break-ins start at a secondary or “hidden” opening, not a main door or window (CPI Security). These overlooked entry points that burglars target are exactly why even houses with smart doorbells and deadbolts are still targeted.

As an Indianapolis lock and security firm that responds to break-ins every single week, we at Locksmith Pro LLC know firsthand how frustrating it is to discover that the weak spot wasn’t the one you spent money to secure. This guide breaks down the five most-ignored openings criminals love, then gives you field-tested steps to ensure each one, without turning your home into a fortress.

5 Overlooked Entry Points Burglars Target (And How to Secure Them)

Quick Take: Skim the bold lines at the top of each section for immediate action items if you’re short on time.

1. Pet Doors

Why it’s vulnerable

1. Medium and large pet doors can fit a petite adult.
2. Even a small flap lets thieves fish for the interior knob or smart-lock thumb-turn.
3. Factory locks on pet doors are often plastic and easy to snap open (Stevens Lock and Key LLC).

Actionable security fixes

• Upgrade to microchip-activated doors – Models like SureFlap or PlexiDor open only when your pet’s embedded chip or RFID collar is detected.
• Add an interior locking cover – A steel or polycarbonate slide-in panel blocks the flap when you’re asleep or away.
• Install the door at least 18 inches from the deadbolt – This keeps a burglar’s arm from reaching your lock hardware.
• Use a motion sensor aimed at the flap – Pair it with your existing alarm for instant alerts if someone forces the panel.

Pro Insight

Most pet doors we replace weren’t defective; they were just installed in the wrong spot. Move it away from the knob, and you remove 90 % of the risk.

— Mike Delgado, Senior Technician, Locksmith Pro LLC

2. Garage Doors

Why it’s vulnerable

A 2023 analysis by Guardian Security Screens found that 1 in 4 U.S. break-ins start at an attached garage because it provides a hiding place for the intruder (Guardian Security Screens). Older overhead doors can be “fished” with a coat hanger in under 15 seconds.

Actionable security fixes

• Disable the emergency release with a zip tie – Thread the tie through the release mechanism; you can still break it in a fire, but a wire hook can’t pull it.
• Install a smart-garage controller – MyQ and Aladdin Connect send alerts if the door is left open and let you close it remotely.
• Reinforce side doors – Add a deadbolt and a door viewer to the service door between the garage and the house.
• Use an anti-kick plate – A 24-gauge steel plate behind the bottom panel resists brute-force kicks.

Customer Story

After my neighbor’s garage got raided, I called Locksmith Pro. They added a smart opener and a deadbolt on the kitchen entry. Two weeks later, our cameras caught a guy trying the handle—he left with nothing.

— Brian K., Broad Ripple

3. Basement Windows

Why it’s vulnerable

Basement windows sit low to the ground, are shielded by landscaping, and are often outdated single-pane glass. Wrangler Safe and Lock reports a 23 % increase in crawl-space or basement window entries nationwide since 2020 (Wrangler Safe and Lock).

Actionable security fixes

• Install window grilles or decorative bars – Modern powder-coated styles look like trim, not prison bars.
• Apply 8-mil security film – Makes glass resistant to shattering and buys critical response time.
• Add keyed window locks – Swap flimsy latches for double-bolt locks.
• Secure the window well – Acrylic or polycarbonate covers with locking clips keep both rain and burglars out.

Local Tip

IMPD’s 2024 crime map shows residential burglaries highest along the Monon Trail corridors—areas with older homes and ground-level windows. If you live in SoBro or Meridian-Kessler, basement glazing should be top priority.

4. Skylights

Why it’s vulnerable

Skylights are literally out of sight and often left in the unlocked “vent” position. According to ABUS, tampering with a roof opening accounts for up to 5 % of reported forced entries in Europe, a figure slowly rising in U.S. metro areas (ABUS).

Actionable security fixes

• Retrofit a keyed crank or latch – Simple kits turn a venting skylight into a lockable one.
• Replace acrylic domes with laminated glass – Resists impacts from both hail and crowbars.
• Add security film – A clear 4- to 8-mil layer provides an extra barrier.
• Install a vibration sensor – Tied into your alarm system to detect glass strikes.

Callout

Insurance perk: Many Indiana carriers give a premium discount for laminated skylight glass because it’s also storm-resistant. Check your policy.

5. Sliding Glass Doors

Why it’s vulnerable

Sliding doors ride on simple rollers and can be lifted off the track. Entry Prevention cites them as the second most common secondary intrusion point after the garage (Entry Prevention).

Actionable security fixes

• Place a security bar or dowel in the track – A $15 stick that stops forced sliding.
• Install a double-bolt lock – Secures the active panel to the frame at top and bottom.
• Add anti-lift devices – Small metal brackets that prevent upward removal.
• Reinforce with security film or laminated glass – Foils smash-and-grab attempts.

Pro Insight

A burglar holding a pry bar doesn’t want noise. Add a double-bolt lock and 8-mil film, and they usually move on after 30 seconds.

— Marcus Lee, Lead Installer, Locksmith Pro LLC

How Locksmith Pro LLC Can Help

1. Free 20-Point Security Audit – We walk your property and flag every weak spot.
2. 24/7 Emergency Reinforcement – If you’ve already had a break-in, our mobile shop can replace glass, install bars, or rekey locks the same night.
3. Smart-Lock Integration – Certified installers for Schlage, Yale, and August systems.
4. Custom Fabrication – Decorative basement window grilles and anti-lift brackets made in our Indianapolis workshop.

Schedule today: (317) 343-4700 or visit our Request Service/Quote page

Key Takeaways

• Burglars think like engineers, not robbers—secure the weak links they expect you to ignore.
• Start with pet doors and garages; those two points account for over 50 % of non-front-door break-ins we see in Indy.
• Layer simple, low-cost defenses (bars, film, dowels) before investing in complete alarm systems.
• Professional audits reveal vulnerabilities you might never spot—especially on older homes.

Conclusion

Front doors grab the headlines, but it’s the overlooked entry points burglars target that quietly open your home to crime. By reinforcing pet doors, garages, basement windows, skylights, and sliding glass doors, Indianapolis homeowners can slash their burglary risk and enjoy genuine peace of mind. Don’t wait for an insurance adjuster to tell you where the thief got in. Fortify those hidden spots today—and if you need a hand, Locksmith Pro LLC is on call 24/7.

Sources

• Stevens Lock and Key LLC – 5 Ways in Which Burglars Sneak Into a House
• Entry Prevention – 5 Common Entry Points for Burglars and How to Secure Them
• CPI Security – 7 Common Ways Burglars Break into Houses
• ABUS – Weak Points in Burglary Protection
• Wrangler Safe and Lock – 3 Weak Points That Burglars Often Exploit
• Guardian Security Screens – Most Targeted Entry Points in Homes & Businesses
• IDS Security Ltd – What are the most common entry points for burglars?
• BBN Times – 8 Hidden Entry Points Burglars Target – Secure Them Now
• Batten – Hidden Entry Points Burglars Target and How to Secure Them