23 ways to avoid getting burglarized

by brennagimler1 | Jul 25, 2013 | Homeowners Insurance, Insurance

Burglary is defined as the unlawful breaking and entering of a structure with the intent to commit a felony or theft. Approximately 62.4% of burglaries take place while homeowners are at work. According to the FBI, a home or residence is burglarized in the U.S every 15 seconds. Most residential break-ins happen in broad daylight during working hours. Summertime brings a significant increase in break-ins especially during the July and August months with an average loss of $1,700 in cash, valuables or both.

To help keep you safe we put together 23 well known and other not-so-obvious ways that you can help prevent break-ins while on that fabulous family vacation this summer.

1. Make sure you have an updated home inventory . it may take several weeks to remember all of your valuables that may be missing.

2. Mark your valuables with your driver’s license number with an engraver you can borrow from your precinct. Marked items are harder for a burglar to dispose of and easier for police to recover.

3. Bring removable garage openers in the house – garage operators are an open invitation to easy access to your home.

4. Mow your lawn the day before you leave – a long lawn announces that there is no one home.

5. Don’t discuss your vacation on social media – This is just an invitation to thieves.

6. Stop your mail – an overflowing mailbox is an invitation to thieves.

7. Invest in timers that will control your lights. Consider motion sensors as well. – If it LOOKS like someone is home it may deter criminals.

8. Put away all outside items that might lure a burglar to your property. – If they cannot see it, they cannot want it.

9. Put up a home security system and turn it on. Why buy it if you don’t use it.

10. Leave your radio on. – Noise is a deterrent to thieves.

11. Invest in Deadbolts. – The harder it is to open, the longer it takes. Thieves are discouraged if they think it will be hard to get inside.

12. Put “Beware of Dog” signs in your yard. – You don’t really have to own a dog, just put the idea of a dog out there. Thieves do not like to target homes with dogs.

13. Put a stick in any sliding doors. – If entry into your home is difficult, chances are your intruder will not hang around a long time.

14. Remove all spare keys from obvious places like fake rocks and under welcome mats. These hiding spots are the first places a thief looksin order to make his job easier and attract less attention.

15. Notify the police that you will be out of town for a few days and ask them to drive by your property. Thieves don’t usually target neighborhoods that are patrolled by the authorities.

16. Do not put your name on your mailbox. Announcing your last name means you are one “Google” away from giving away your phone number for a thief to verify whether or not you are home.

17. Lock your windows and doors. – Front door break-ins = 34%, first floor window break-ins = 23%, side entry break-ins = 22%.

18. Lock the inside door leading from the garage to the house.

19. Disable your garage door opener. Garage break-ins = 9%

20. Install exterior lighting and trim overgrown shrubs. Thieves like to hide behind shrubs until dark.

21. Plant thorny rose bushes under windows. Thorns are nature’s deterrent.

22. Make sure your door hinges are on the inside.

23. Hide your valuables in less obvious spots. Jewlery can be stored in an old shoe box in another room.

Resources:

Infographic origination http://www.asecurelife.com/burglary-statistics

http://www.fbi.gov/stats-services/crimestats

home.howstuffworks.com/home…/discourage-break-ins.htm

http://www.wikihow.com/Avoid-Home-Break-Ins-/-Thefts