Whats the big deal about having your curtains open/shut?

ilnf

I was told (wrongly or rightly) that houses with closed curtains are a target for burglars. Apparently, American families near mine (US RAF Base nearby) were in the habit of closing curtains during the day to keep their houses cool from the hot daytime sun. If they were at home they would keep curtains open to benefit from the natural light.

Closed curtain during summer day equals no one at home. After it was realised how homes were being targeted, advice was given to leave curtains open during the day.

How true this is I've no idea but sounds plausible?

Lagoon

ilnf wrote: »

I was told (wrongly or rightly) that houses with closed curtains are a target for burglars. Apparently, American families near mine (US RAF Base nearby) were in the habit of closing curtains during the day to keep their houses cool from the hot daytime sun. If they were at home they would keep curtains open to benefit from the natural light.

Closed curtain during summer day equals no one at home. After it was realised how homes were being targeted, advice was given to leave curtains open during the day.

How true this is I've no idea but sounds plausible?

Surely the other argument is that if your windows are open, everyone can see your expensive gadgets and where they're placed in your house?

balletshoes

Kayalana99 wrote: »

I'm just generally asking.

My sister had her curtains shut mid day and her MIL mentioned it to her son like it was a crime! (Although this was a while ago)

& also my MIL (to be ) brought it up a couple times but we used to live on a main road where people would look in constantly (even with net curtains) so I hated having then open and always used that excuse. One thing she said when we moved is 'You will be able to open your curtains now'

Now we've moved and I tend to open them but only because I *feel* like thats what I am supposed to do. We have a back garden patio door in front room so enough light comes in that I don't need the front curtains open for light reasons.

I just don't see what the big deal is though?

me neither - I genuinely don't understand why people get all righteous and uptight about curtains. I have a south-facing living room so on bright sunny days my curtains are quite regularly closed just about all the daylight hours.

ilnf

Lagoon wrote: »

Surely the other argument is that if your windows are open, everyone can see your expensive gadgets and where they're placed in your house?

Although they're more likely to try the house next door as they believe there's no one home? Like I said, it may be rubbish.

loracan1

If I'm out I can't see what difference the curtains being open or closed make - and I find it difficult to care what anyone else thinks...

If I'm in during the day and happen to be in the front room, I like them open because it's a bright room.

Torry_Quine

Wondered if people have curtains open or closed when away on holiday. Do you leave them as normal for day-time or different? I leave mine open.

Lagoon

ilnf wrote: »

Although they're more likely to try the house next door as they believe there's no one home? Like I said, it may be rubbish.

I don't think either argument is rubbish, really. I think there are simply two opposing reasons and they probably balance out.

That said, in every break-in experience I've witnessed, the occupiers were in the building and the burglars knew it. Seems to be some sort of challenge to steal from under someone's nose!

Tropez

Torry_Quine wrote: »

Wondered if people have curtains open or closed when away on holiday. Do you leave them as normal for day-time or different? I leave mine open.

Mine are motorised and I can set a timer so that they close and open at set times.

Lagoon

Tropez wrote: »

Mine are motorised and I can set a timer so that they close and open at set times.

That brings a third factor into the discussion about burglars and whether they target houses with open or closed windows. Those timers have been said to be noticed by burglars, when they're moving the curtains at the same time each day - the same for lights that people put on timers, so burglars can see they're on holiday.

Bangton

I don't have curtains in the house only blinds/shutters so I don't know if it's quite the same thing but during the day when I'm working I regularly forget to open downstairs as I get ready upstairs and don't really go in the living room or kitchen on my way out of the door. .. or if I do I'm rushing out. I don't like it and I wouldn't stay at home and sit in dark but opening the blinds just doesn't seem to have any focus in my mind when I'm heading for work. The bedroom blinds tend to stay shut as they are wood weave and are about as much use as a chocolate teapot they are so see through! !