Social media has produced a lot of home security advice over the years, and most of it falls somewhere between mildly helpful and harmless. The tinfoil doorknob trick lands in different territory: It’s viral, it’s widely shared and it offers no meaningful protection against the threat it’s supposedly designed to address.
The idea that wrapping a doorknob in aluminum foil will deter burglars or protect your privacy sounds just plausible enough to spread, which is exactly why it has. Here’s what’s actually going on, and what legitimate home security measures look like in comparison.
At first glance, this hack may sound just odd enough to work. But it doesn’t, and wasting time trying to do it could keep you from practicing security habits that actually work. Here’s why this foil fix falls short.
Wait, why would foil on a door handle stop thieves, anyway?
Reasons for aluminum foil wrap vary depending on which corner of the internet you’re in. People have assumed that the crinkly sound will scare off a burglar trying to open the door, or that it will reflect in the porch light and give a thief the creeps. Others think it could signal that the rest of the house is protected in some way, like with a security system.
And this trick definitely doesn’t work?
Nope. There is no reason to think it would, either. Tin foil isn’t particularly loud, and it’s not especially shiny on dark porches. Plus, as we’ve researched in the past, while thieves often try front doors, they move on immediately if they’re locked and look for other entry points, like open windows, back doors or garages that can be lifted. Finally, burglars don’t know what a tinfoil doorknob means — they have no idea it’s supposed to mean a home is protected, they’re just looking for an easy target.
Why did people think tinfoil on a doorknob would stop burglaries?
The myth’s origins are buried deep in the internet. It started from a single article called 33 Life Hacks , which featured an image of a doorknob wrapped in foil and a line saying that people who live alone should use this foil trick on their doorknob.
Small problem: The article itself, an ad-ridden slideshow requiring multiple clicks to get to the doorknob, never said that. It advocated wrapping a doorknob in foil to prep for painting your door. Most readers never got that far. It wasn’t long before other articles and social posts started popping up, saying people should wrap doorknobs for their security. These were almost entirely clickbait, repeating points that seemed made up from thin air.
Is the tinfoil trick actually good for painting a door?
No, it’s a dumb idea. If you’re painting your door, remove the doorknob entirely or use painter’s tape if you have to. Painter’s tape may be the best option for certain smart locks that use keypads, for example.
OK, what should I use for front door security, then?
After interviews and research, it turns out that burglars really do respond to the presence of security systems, video doorbells, and other clear and noticeable signs of surveillance (which can track or light up the yard when activated). The classic yard or window sign showing a security system is also present and has an effect.
Remember, burglars are on the lookout for an easy target and fast results. Unless they’re part of a criminal ring, they can be quickly deterred by using smart locks and smart garages to make sure your home is locked when you’re away.
For more information, take a look at the top DIY security systems and cheap security cameras to enhance your home protection.
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