Homes are a wonderful place. It is where we feel safe and happy. It is also a great asset if you properly take care of it. When you think of maintenance, while painting and a new planter box may come to mind, it is also important to make sure that you are maintaining security measures. Allowing your locks to fail or you home security system to remain out of commission is a very dangerous move and it isn’t one that you should take. Please make sure that as you update and maintain the pretty features of your home, you also make sure to keep your security in check and up to date.
It is good to be aware of the different tactics that are common when it comes to home break-ins and burglaries. If you are, then you can be prepared with the right systems and techniques to keep them at bay. We hope to break down some facts for you to give you a better understanding of burglaries and how to be better prepared for if it happens.
1. Burglaries have declined by 19.7%
While this statistic may have you breathing a sigh of relief, don’t get too comfortable. It is all too common for someone to decide that they live in a safe neighborhood and the criminal rate has gone down therefore it is safe to leave your door unlocked or sleep with the windows of your home wide open at night. This is not the case and we strongly suggest that no matter how safe your neighborhood is or how low the crime rate has dropped, you protect yourself and your home by remaining vigilant and prepared for any and all criminal activity.
2. 58.3% of break-ins are forcible entry
The UCR program of the FBI tells us the three subdivisions of burglary are forcible entry, unlawful entry and attempted forcible entry. Forcible entry is the most common and the clearest indicator that these people want in your home. Don’t just get scared of the numbers and hide, fight back by keeping your security measures up to date and your windows and doors locked tight.
3. 53% of home break-ins are committed during the day
While this may come as a big shock to you, most break-ins occur during the day. Yes, we all see the shows where the break-in occurs at night, but that doesn’t really make much sense, does it? The thief probably doesn’t want to get caught, so why would he burglarize the home when someone is there? More than half of burglaries are committed in the daytime when the residents are not home because they are either working or at school. It is important to prepare for this and the new technology that we have makes this easier than it has ever been.
Investing in a home security system is a great idea as it allows you to monitor your home from anywhere. Almost 30% of thefts are done at night and these prove to be more dangerous because the burglar probably expects people to be at home and they are prepared to deal with anything that may get in their way. Having this knowledge hopefully will help you to get some more ideas about good home security plans
4. $2,251 is lost per burglary in the United States
When a thief comes to your home, they are most likely not going to steal a bag of chips and leave. They want something that is going to get them money. It is likely that if a thief comes to your home, it is because they either know or have an idea of the valuable items you have in your home. If you display things right by a window, you are just asking for trouble. The same applies to what you throw away. If there is a box for a 72’ TV right outside your home, chances are the burglar is going to look into it. It is important to protect yourself by making sure that the people you let into your home are people you know and trust. You also should not have your valuable items in plain sight. Rather, you should keep them somewhere safe and hidden. Investing in tinted windows is also a good idea if you want to display your items without fear.
5. 34% of burglars use the front door
More than half of burglars use the front or back door as their point of access into your home. It is important, therefore, to make sure that you don’t only make sure that your home security system is up to date and is in full working order, but that your doors are too. Having a solid door will make it difficult for a burglar to forcibly enter from there. They will probably hurt themselves before they even make a dent on your door; this is what you want. Not only should you make sure that your door is steady but make sure that your locks are also in working order.
6. Burglars spend 8 to 12 minutes in your home
Based on research collected by convicted burglars and statistical data, your average thief will spend around eight to twelve minutes in your home. Any longer than that and they are at a very high risk of getting caught. This information is valuable to you as you can now attempt to hide your valuables in a way that it would take longer than eight to twelve minutes to find. Not only that, but if in the unfortunate case that you are home during a burglary, it is important that you find a hiding spot that you will be concealed in for more than ten minutes. This hiding spot should be a good one that the thief will be unlikely to find you.
7. Most burglars flee at the sound of alarms
A burglar is not going to want bright lights and loud sounds going on while they are attempting to rob your home. This is why having an alarm system set in place is a great way to deter the burglar from doing any damage. Some burglars have learned how to disable alarm systems and this would be the case if you had a wire one because all they have to do is cut the cords. Upgrading to a wireless system or even just investing in a dog is a great way to deter potential burglars.
8. Master bedrooms are a burglar’s first target
This is the case because the master bedroom is the place where homeowners feel comfortable and safe. This is usually where all of the valuables are and the thief really only has to come here in order to get everything he needs. If you instead hide your valuables throughout your home, you will most likely throw the thief off and increase his chances of leaving without taking anything.
9. A burglary occurs every 15 seconds
It is estimated that a burglary occurs every fifteen seconds. This statistics is not to scare you but to instead to keep you informed and on your toes. Just because the burglar rate has lowered, that doesn’t mean that it is okay to let your guard down. Stay on top of your security and always be on guard.