Having your home broken into is a scary thing that no homeowner wants to think about. Yet, burglaries happen to 2 million homeowners each year in the United States.
According to statistics:
- Most burglaries occur during summer months, and the fewest occur during the month of February.
- Most burglaries happen during daylight hours.
- The majority of burglaries occur when homes are unoccupied.
- Burglars are most likely to steal small, expensive items (such as jewelry, guns and smaller electronic devices).
So, how do you avoid becoming a burglary statistic? The first thing you should do is think like a burglar…
Burglars don’t want to be detected. The number one thing burglars will look for when choosing a house to break into is easy and quick access. Burglars target homes that are away from the road and hidden from neighbors. A home with an easy-access point (such as a window behind a tree or an unlocked door) is also very attractive.
They key way to prevent burglaries is to make your home appear “unattractive” to a burglar. The following tips will help with this:
- Trim back your shrubs and bushes so they do not allow a burglar to hide while they open a door or a window.
- Install motion detecting lights.
- This one sounds obvious, but be sure to lock your doors and shut your windows when you are gone. Thirty percent of burglaries occur because of open doors or windows.
- Don’t leave valuables in plain sight.
And – of course – security systems help to deter burglars as well. Data shows that homes with monitored security systems are up to three times less likely to be broken into than homes without them. If you have a security system, be sure to:
- Install the stickers and signs, so you can let the would-be burglar know your home won’t be an easy target.
- Test your system often to make sure it is working properly. Security equipment manufacturers recommend testing your system at least once per month.
- Keep your key holders list updated, so you can be easily contacted in the event of a break-in.
All of these things can help you prevent a burglary from happening to your home. Benjamin Franklin once said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” This rings true when it comes to keeping your home safe and secure.