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

*Twinkle*

my neighbours have theirs shut all the time, day, night, rain or shine....they have little kids too, i find it depressing!

Tropez

Lagoon wrote: »

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.

I work in security and I've heard this but it's a misnomer. It is true that burglars who are targetting a specific property will notice these patterns but that is because they are observing the property over a period of several days or even weeks, getting used to people's schedules looking for the time that is best to strike. This usually only happens when the burglars have prior knowledge of large sums of cash or jewelry kept in the home, or intend to steal an expensive vehicle.

The vast majority of burglaries are not planned in such a way. Any pre-planning is limited to driving through a street in broad daylight and making note of which look to be the easiest marks. In most cases though, burglaries are crimes of opportunity, seizing upon poor home security such as open windows, valuables on display, unlocked garages/sheds etc. Studies have shown that "professional" burglars will decide in seven seconds whether a house is a reasonable target or not.

There are comparatively few who would spend enough time in a specific area to notice curtains being drawn and closed, or lights going on and off. It's hardly uncommon for someone to close their curtains/turn on their lights at virtually the same time every day anyway - a lot of people do it as part of a routine, such as after a soap opera they watch every night finishes.

Still, for those who worry about such things, we do provide motorised curtains and automatic light switches with semi-random timers on them. Heck, we can even generate shadows that move randomly in a house to give the appearance of movement.

Frugalista

I haven't got any curtains or blinds anywhere .

celyn90

Tropez wrote: »

Heck, we can even generate shadows that move randomly in a house to give the appearance of movement.

That's awesome! I always wanted a pet ghost I could use it to convince the outlaws the place was haunted :rotfl::rotfl:

suejb2

We had new neighbours move in opposite us .After posting a card to welcome them and they came over to thank us and it was they who said "they are keeping the curtains closed because they have moving boxes all over the living room". That was four years ago and they are still closed!

Tropez

celyn90 wrote: »

That's awesome! I always wanted a pet ghost I could use it to convince the outlaws the place was haunted :rotfl::rotfl:

Well if that grabs you there's also a device that will flood a room with non-lethal smoke... so you can fully get the ol' eerie feeling.

Bangton

Frugalista wrote: »

I haven't got any curtains or blinds anywhere .

Really? How are you when it's summer and it comes light at the absolute crack of dawn? I ask because our bedroom blinds don't keep any light out and I think I'll go insane if I don't replace them before summer because of the streaming light first thing!

Goldiegirl

I think a house that has it's curtains closed all day everyday looks sad and unloved, as if the person in the house can't be bothered to let the air and light in

Frugalista

Bangton wrote: »

Really? How are you when it's summer and it comes light at the absolute crack of dawn? I ask because our bedroom blinds don't keep any light out and I think I'll go insane if I don't replace them before summer because of the streaming light first thing!

I use an eyemask :cool:.

I don't wear it to go to sleep, but as a "lady of a certain age" I usually have to get up early to use the loo so I just put the eyemask on if dawn is breaking.

marisco_2

Tropez wrote: »

Heck, we can even generate shadows that move randomly in a house to give the appearance of movement.

celyn90 wrote: »

That's awesome! I always wanted a pet ghost I could use it to convince the outlaws the place was haunted :rotfl::rotfl:

Tropez wrote: »

Well if that grabs you there's also a device that will flood a room with non-lethal smoke... so you can fully get the ol' eerie feeling.

Wow, imagine the awesome halloween parties you could create using that lot.