Home Burglary - Don't Be A Victim 2020

According to the FBI, it is estimated that a home is burglarized every 26 seconds in the United States. Burglary is defined as the illegal entry of a building with the intent to commit theft or another felony. For most people, their home is where they feel most secure. Being victims of home burglary can leave your family feeling vulnerable and violated. Burglars are opportunists. They are looking for easy targets. If the risk of being caught in the act is too high, most thieves will not attempt entry. Don’t be a victim of home burglary!

Improving the security of your residence is easier than you may think. Here are some simple common sense things you can do to protect your home. Start with the outside. Make sure that your home appears inhabited at all times. A good way to do this is with exterior lighting. Eliminate any dark areas where a would-be burglar could hide. Put lights on a timer to give the appearance that your family is home, even when you are not. Exterior lights on motion sensors are an excellent way to frighten away unwanted guests.

Keep your yard well maintained. Unkempt lawns and trees give the appearance that the home is rarely occupied. Overgrown foliage can also provide would-be thieves the cover they need to break in.

Lock your doors! According to the FBI, about 38% percent of burglaries in the United States are classified as unlawful entry, meaning that the intruders were able to gain entry without breaking in, usually through an unlocked door. A significant number of home burglaries could be prevented with this one simple step, locking your doors. Back doors and windows are favorite targets for many thieves, as they are less visible and homeowners often leave them unlocked. Make sure that all exterior doors have a high-quality dead bolt and keep them locked.

Sliding glass doors and windows can be easily secured by placing a locking device or a piece of wood in the lower track to keep the door or window from opening. An open window visible from the street may be the sole reason a burglar selects your home. It’s best to close and lock all doors and windows if you have to go out at night.

An alarm system, along with signs with the alarm company name, can greatly increase the security of your home. But, just like locks, in order for an alarm system to be effective, it needs be well maintained and used. Get into the habit of setting the alarm every time you leave the house.

Just like yard signs warning the burglar that you have an alarm system, visible surveillance cameras around your house forewarns the burglar that they are being watched and that they WILL be caught. Again, convince the thief that your home looks like too difficult a job before he attempts to break in.

Install a peephole in your main entry door and get in the habit of using it
Be sure the whole family knows not to open the door for people they do not know. If someone claims to be a part of the utility company or public agency such as PG&E or the water company, ask for identification. It is very rare for such an organization to knock on your door unannounced. If you are unsure, do not allow the person into your home and call the police.

Inside your home, it’s easy to make your personal property less attractive to thieves by engraving your drivers license number on each item. This makes it harder for criminals to sell and easier for the police to return your things to you. Do Not engrave your belongings with your Social Security number. Your Social Security number is a path to all sorts of identity theft related crimes that can be much more costly than any of your personal belongings. Also, consider getting a safe for important documents like birth certificates, passports, and credit cards.

One often overlooked but extremely effective way to protect your home is to develop a good relationship with your neighbors. Good neighbors can look out for each others homes. Communicate with one another and establish a trust. The best way to have good neighbors is to be a good neighbor. Keep an eye on your neighbor’s home while they’re away. Collect their mail for them. Check on their house and report any suspicious activity to them and to the police. When you go away, they can reciprocate. Your home is your castle, keeping it secure and your family safe from intruders should be very high on your list of priorities. We hope that these simple tips will keep you and your love ones from becoming victims of home burglary. Remember it’s up to you! Don’t be a victim!