According to a recent report by the U.S. Department of Justice, an American home is the victims of burglary every 15 seconds. As a direct result, when a home is burglarized a typical homeowner suffers a loss of nearly $2,000 in stolen goods and/or property damage.
It has been well documented by the National Crime Prevention Council that since the national economy has gotten worse, burglary has become a more common crime.
If you have a high deductible on your homeowners insurance policy, you’ll likely have to pay out of pocket to replace your stolen materials. However for a small investment, you can protect your family and home in an easy and affordable manner.
Bushes, shrubs and trees can offer an intruder places to hide and camouflage signs of a break-in. Trim back any overgrown vegetation so that your home’s windows, porches and doors are visible to neighbors and passersby.
By trimming these areas down it can make a big difference in making your property much less attractive to a burglar. Furthermore by using shades, drapes and other window treatments to keep potentially tempting household items out of view, can help make your home less desirable at the most basic level from thieves. Burglary is sometimes a crime of opportunity and “window-shopping” is one way criminals choose potential targets.
Be sure not to draw undue attention to your home by discarding empty boxes at the curb with your trash — a big problem during the holidays.
It is highly recommended to use timers that are hooked up to indoor lights, as well as radios or televisions to give the impression you are home when you are not. By setting a timer to switch on about 30 to 45 minutes before it gets dark makes it appear more like someone is really at home, and combined with a radio or TV activating during the day and evening, that impression can be even more convincing. Burglars generally don’t want to be confronted by anyone in a home. They want to slip in and out unseen. If they hear sounds of activity, they’ll generally move on.
For existing doors with windows, it is recommended to install a protective barrier of quarter-inch Plexiglas over any existing glass. Attached properly, it can prevent the burglar from breaking the window and either opening the door’s lock from the inside or getting into the house through the opening.
A deadbolt should be installed on every exterior entry door, safety and security experts say. By adding deadbolts to their property’s doors a homeowner can drastically increase their home’s protection. Insurance companies and locksmiths recommend Grade 1 or Grade 2 American National Standards Institute deadbolt locks on exterior entryways.
The two main types of deadbolts are single and double cylinder locks. A single cylinder deadbolt, about $35, has a keyed opening on one side and a knob that can be turned by hand on the other. A double cylinder deadbolt lock, about $45, is keyed on both sides.
The best form of protection however is common sense. By simply locking all your doors and windows whenever you leave your home, you can prevent 90% of home invasions and burglaries.
With these simple, smart and easy to use tricks and tips, any homeowner can ensure the utmost protection of their home or property. From deadbolt and home security alarm system installation to shrub trimming, the simplicity of these easily obtainable additions are guaranteed to lessen the chances of enticing a would be invader from noticing your home.