Crime rates are at an all-time high worldwide, so security devices and technology innovations are also at an all-time high. One of these devices is the ring doorbell but as these became more popular, so did their theft.
Don’t worry, since when thieves evolve, so do we, and we here at SafeNow have put together a list of ways and methods to prevent your ring doorbell from being stolen. I will go through these below.
Below we will cover the eight tricks we find the most effective for preventing Ring robbery.
Trick 1: Build an Enclosure/Box
Installing a grid box or metal cover to the frame or Wall can add protection to the Ring doorbell. Just ensure it won’t obstruct the camera’s field of view and the button, making it easier for visitors to press it.
Their not completely effective since even the cover can be stolen, but it adds an extra layer of prevention that may make a lot of thieves move on.
Trick 2: Reinforce it to the Wall
Door frames are the common areas where you attach or mount doorbells; Many people are prone to just using a sticky substance and not nailing the doorbell directly to the Wall. But for better protection, you can reinforce it with a stronger substance or reinforce it directly to a wall. This way, for thieves to remove the doorbell, they will need to spend more valuable time removing it, which may prevent theft.
Here are some great ideas and tips:
- Use screws and anchors: Install screws and wall anchors to secure the doorbell bracket to the wall, ensuring they are tight.
- Use a mounting plate: Install a metal or plastic mounting plate between the wall and the doorbell to add extra stability.
- Use silicone adhesive: Apply silicone adhesive around the edges of the doorbell and mounting bracket to create a seal that helps prevent moisture from getting in.
- Reinforce the wiring: Make sure the wiring is secure and not exposed, as this can be a weak point for tampering.
- Regularly check: Inspect the doorbell and mounting to ensure it is secure and properly functioning.
Trick 3: Attach the doorbell to Cement Rather Than Stucco
Stucco and regular cement have different properties and can be drilled into with varying degrees of difficulty.
Removing a doorbell from cement can be more challenging than drilling into stucco, wood, or drywall because it is harder and denser. It may require special masonry bits and more powerful drill motors.
Drilling into stucco can also be challenging, especially if the stucco is dense and well-cured. However, stucco is typically easier to drill into than cement because it is not as dense and has a slightly different composition.
Trick 4: Secure the power cable of your smart video doorbell
This is more of a general tip rather than a theft tip.
Even if protective devices are on the doorbell, thieves can find the cables to cut them off. You can hide the power cable by putting them along the edges of the Wall. You can also look for hidden areas on the doorbell and secure them with some cable clips.
After securing the cables, blend them in by painting them with the same color as the Wall, so it will be hard to notice.
Trick 6: Display a sign
Even simply displaying a verbal sign can keep thieves from targeting your home. Signage displaying that they are being watched or there are motion sensors, which is true on Ring devices, will make thieves more cautious or stop them from choosing your home for a break-in.
You can choose any sign you want. But regardless of whether the message displayed is true or not, it helps; in your case, you can give it a shot since the main purpose of this trick is to scare thieves away.
Trick 7: Keep an eye on your notifications
You will receive a notification on your phone whenever someone rings the doorbell. And since Ring doorbells also have motion sensors, even those who stand near them can also be detected, and you will be informed.
As much as possible, ensure you always have your phone with you and do not ignore notifications you receive from your Ring doorbell. If you can check it immediately, you can use your voice to scare off thieves.
Trick 8: Remember to back up the videos to your computer or cloud
As the doorbell is being taken, it can still record the event and create a backup in real time. So there’s a chance that the thief can be identified as long as you have the backup files of the videos to your computer or cloud. (2)
For those without subscriptions, the best thing you can do is to back up the videos to your computer or cloud since the files are saved from the memory card. It is manual work, but it’s a useful trick to provide enough evidence to the police if ever the doorbell got stolen because some thieves prefer to case a house a little while before robbing it. You may find someone suspiciously looking or standing in front of your house the day before, this isn’t great evidence, but it may help.
Also, make sure to report the incident right away to the police as soon as you can, then contact your provider so they can offer you a replacement.
What to do if your Ring doorbell gets stolen?
Even after efforts to secure your Ring doorbell from theft, there will be a chance someone will be successful in stealing it. In case it happens, Ring can offer you a free replacement of a similar model.
But you need to comply first with the following requirements:
- You should report the theft as soon as possible to the police.
- Avoid touching anything near the location of the stolen Ring doorbell. But make sure to take clear photos of it for further evidence.
- Make sure to secure a copy of the police report on your stolen doorbell. The Ring company will ask for it to honor the replacement.
- Within 15 days, you must report the incident to Ring so they can provide you with a new doorbell similar to your previous one.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should you do after a doorbell theft?
Check the last recorded video of the doorbell when it got stolen. Make sure to check the area and capture some photos for evidence. But be careful not to touch anything around the incident. Once you have all the evidence, report it to your local police so they can investigate the incident. You also need to check with your provider about their theft policy. For example, Ring offers replacement if you have provided a police report to verify the incident.
Can a burglar reuse your Ring doorbell?
In theory, burglars can reset the doorbell and create a new account under it. However, Ring has a legitimate process of disabling the device on one account and transferring it to another. This process works especially for those moving to a new location.
Burglars can take advantage of this procedure. Thus it’s important to inform Ring immediately after contacting the police so they can deactivate your old registration. It will prevent the burglars from registering their new account on it to use the device for themselves.
How to prevent ring thefts in the future?
We shared with you useful tricks on how to prevent your Ring doorbell from getting stolen. As long as you try following the preventive measures and being mindful of your surroundings, you can monitor your house easily and prevent theft.
References
(1) electrical hazards – https://www.osha.gov/electrical
(2) cloud – https://www.ibm.com/cloud/learn/cloud-storage
