How Burglars Target Which Homes to Rob, and How to Keep Yours Off Their Hit Lists!
by SixWise.com
Talk about preventive medicine! The four percent
(4%) of homes that take absolutely no security measures account
for nearly thirty percent (30%) of all burglaries! And the
greater the amount of security measures you take in your home,
the lesser the likelihood of your home being robbed.
Just as those in law enforcement do, the best
way to protect your home from unwanted visitors (burglars,
not the in-laws) is to "think like the burglars think."
How do they decide which homes to rob? Here
are their top considerations when targeting a house:
Secure Your Windows
Dogs are a Top Home Security Measure ... But Not Necessarily
This Particular Dog. |
One-third of all burglars gain
access to properties through windows not easily visible from
the street, including the back windows.
Burglars will look for windows that are already
open or will break through the glass. Securing your windows
with PVCu frames will provide a tighter seal, making it more
difficult for burglars to force open a window. Double-glazing
the glass will make it much harder to break through.
The bottom line: Keep windows that are accessible
to ground-level locked at night and when you are not home.
When leaving them open during the day, be sure not to leave
them unattended for long periods of time. This applies to
doors, too -- always keep doors locked, even if you think
your neighborhood is "safe."
Avoid the Tell-Tale Signs that You are Not Home
If you were going to break into a home, what
would you look for? Certainly, signs that someone is not home,
as nearly half of burglaries occur when a home is empty. Therefore:
- Don't let newspapers gather
on your driveway or near your doorstep, and don't let your
mailbox get overstuffed with your mail. Ask a neighbor or
friend to routinely pick these up for you.
- Never leave a message on your voicemail
or answering machine stating you will be away for any extended
period of time.
- Do not close all of your drapes or blinds,
as burglars can scope neighborhoods for days and if your
drapes and blinds are closed day and night this is a major
sign that you and your family may be out of town.
- If you are going to be gone for an extended
period, make sure you have someone keep your lawn mowed,
leaves raked, and snow shoveled. High grass or un-shoveled
walkways and driveways are a top sign that no one is home.
If you can't find neighbors or friends willing to do this,
there are services you can hire who will that you can find
in your local phone book.
- Have various lights in your home turn on
and off automatically and randomly during the evening and
night. Experienced burglars know to watch for homes with
lights that remain on at all times, so for just under $8
per unit an investment in several Intermatic
TN711C Random Pattern Security Timers is a very wise
investment indeed!
Unlike fixed light timers, with the Intermatic
Random Timer you can (very easily) program lights to go on
and off in your home at slightly different times each day
(e.g., 6:15pm one evening, 6:20 pm the next, etc.)
In five minutes or less, experienced burglars
can break in, steal your jewelry and other valuables and leave,
without neighbors or anyone ever noticing. It pays to take
the steps above when you will be away from home a night or
for more extended periods.
Don't be the One Left Without an Alarm
Sometimes just having a sign that your home
is protected with a burglar alarm is enough to deter a thief.
Unfortunately, most thieves will know when a sign is a bluff.
Your best bet is to secure your home with a visible security
alarm, and the trend seems to be catching on: the number of
households with burglar alarms increased from 18 percent to
27 percent between 1994 and 2002.
Be sure to choose an alarm from a reputable
company. Before you invest in a home security alarm, though,
SixWise.com highly recommends you read the book "How
To Circumvent a Security Alarm In 10 Seconds or Less: An Insider's
Guide to How It's Done and How To Prevent It"
If you are in the market for a home security
alarm, the $15 or so you spend on this engaging and highly
informative read can save you hundreds to thousands in costly
mistakes ... and frustration.
"How to Circumvent a Security Alarm in
10 Seconds or Less" will educate you on the serious flaws
in current security systems, how to overcome them, and how
to effectively deal with those trying to sell you systems
and install those systems.
Other Top Tips to "Think Like a Burglar" and
Protect Your Home
- Always lock doors and windows -- and
invest in good locks, especially deadbolt locks for all
exterior doors.
- Don't hide keys under doormats,
or anywhere outside the house at all. Burglars know all
about the "secret" hiding places of keys outside.
Leave them with a friend or neighbor instead.
- Never leave a note on the door
instructing someone to "leave a package around back"
because you won't be home. You may as well construct
a bright orange flag to hang over your door that says "Perfect
Home to Rob!" if you leave any type of letter outside
your home indicating you will be away.
- In addition to NOT leaving a message on
your answering machine that you will be away, turn the volume
on it down so others on the outside cannot hear it coming
on when the phone rings.
- Keep your yard well lit, especially near
doorways and windows.
- Install door
and window sensors on vulnerable areas -- the alarm
will sound if the door or window is opened.
- Don't forget to lock and secure
storage sheds, garage doors and gates.
- Keep trees and shrubs well trimmed -- this
gives burglars fewer places to hide.
- Keep valuable items like computers, stereo
equipment, jewelry and electronics away from windows and
outside views.
- Get a "Beware of the Dog" sign
or, better yet, a dog. Dogs
are one of the top burglar deterrents around, especially
the big loud ones!
- Don't invite strangers into your
home and keep your name off of your mailbox and off of door
knockers, etc.
- Ask a neighbor to watch your house while
you're on vacation. Terry
Sheridan, Baltimore County Chief of Police said, "There
are many precautions you can take before you leave for vacation,
but the single best way to deter burglars is to have a neighbor
be on the lookout and check your house."
Sources
Cheshire
Online
How
to Discourage Burglars
Practical
Tips to Secure Your Home
EMSA
Online
PNN
Online