Burglars look for easy homes to break into. How does your home stack up?
Did you know that in 2013:
1,559,284 people were arrested for property crimes?
Victims of burglary offenses suffered an estimated $4.5 billion in property losses?
The average value of property taken during larceny-thefts was $1,259?
Since property crimes are so rampant, what can you do to protect your home and family from burglaries?
Here are a few prevention tips you can begin using right now:
- Install a security system in your home or apartment. Remember that burglars bypass homes that have security systems to look for easier targets!
- Lock your doors. You wouldn’t believe how many people still leave their doors open! In fact 1 out of 3 break ins occur through an open door or window.
- Don’t post vacation plans on Facebook.
- Keep all of your personal information that you want to keep private (passports, financial statements, etc.) in a locked, fire proof safe in a hidden place or a safety deposit box.
- Keep curtains and blinds closed to keep wandering eyes from seeing what you have that might be worthy to steal.
- Do you have a ladder? Keep it in the basement or in a locked garage to prevent someone from using it to enter a second story window.
- Do you have a garage? Keep the garage doors and windows closed and locked.
- Install exterior motion detectors to turn lights on at night.
- Install app controlled lighting so you can turn lights on and off remotely from your phone or tablet.
- Do you have a wireless network at home to surf the net? Make sure you encrypt it with a secure password!
- Since 1 in 3 break ins are at the front door, install a solid wood or steel door to make it difficult to kick in.
- Install a dead bolt lock and use it at night.
- Install a peep hole to see who is at the door before opening.
- Teach your children to never open the door to a stranger.
- Shred all paper that has your name, address or phone number on it before throwing it into the trash.
- Throwing an old computer away? Guess what: the hard drive has all of your personal info stored on it. Destroy the hard drive or buy a software to wipe it clean.
- Do you have a basement or garage? Block windows with curtains to prevent peering eyes from eyeing your belongings.
- Remove your name from your mail box or front door. Why make it easy for thieves and con men?
- Trim bushes and shrubs that make easy places for criminals to hide.
- Start a neighborhood home watch group.
Since thieves look for the path of least resistance, why make your home the easy target?
Preventive maintenance and some common sense can make the difference between your home being broken in to or a burglar passing over your house and going to one of your neighbors.
Finally, get to know your neighbors. Years ago, everyone knew their neighbors. Today, burglars count on everyone minding their own business. Your friendly neighborhood InsuranceHub agents are happy to help you protect your home and family.
Source: http://www.nationwide.com/home-burglary.jsp
