Most home burglaries are not random; they are usually planned. Robbers want to get in and out without being detected and look for easily-accessible targets. While there isn’t a fail-safe way to completely protect your home, here are some simple steps that will decrease the odds of a break-in.
Before we get to those tips, let’s look at some facts:
- In two-person family homes, most thefts occur during the day.
- On average, thieves spend one minute breaking in and less than five minutes inside a home.
- Most burglaries happen on the first or ground floor.
- The side door, rear door, and garage door are the most common areas for entry.
Using these facts, walk around your house and put yourself in the shoes of a burglar. Ask yourself the following questions:
- Are your windows locked?
- Are deadbolts installed on exterior doors? Are they solid-core so they can’t be kicked in?
- Is your garage door secure?
- Does the landscaping help a burglar conceal himself while opening a door or window?
- Is your home well lit? Are lights installed high enough so that burglars can’t disable the lights?
- Is your identity displayed on your mailbox or house?
- Are your valuables secure? Documented? Out of sight?
Improve your peace of mind and make your home less attractive to criminals by answering the questions above.