When my neighbors left for vacation, they sent me a quick voicemail with a strange request. They asked if I could wrap their front door handle in aluminum foil because they’d forgotten to do it themselves. No explanation. Just “please do it if you can.”

I did it—but I felt weird the entire time. Why foil? What was it supposed to do?

Later, I found out there’s actually a reason some people do this.

Wrapping a door handle in aluminum foil is a low-tech security trick. If someone tries to turn the handle while the homeowners are away, the foil crinkles loudly and shifts out of place. It creates noise and visible evidence that someone touched the door. When the owners return, they can immediately tell if the handle was disturbed.

It can also make the handle harder to grip, especially at night. The slick, awkward surface can be enough to make someone hesitate or move on to an easier target. It’s not foolproof security—but it’s a deterrent.

Some people also use it as a simple “tamper alert.” If the foil is torn, removed, or clearly handled, they know someone tried the door. No cameras, no tech—just a visual clue.

At first, the request sounded paranoid. But once I understood it, it didn’t feel so strange anymore. It was cheap, harmless, and took ten seconds. And if it gave them peace of mind while they were away, that alone made it worth doing.

Sometimes the oddest habits turn out to have the most practical explanations.