HOME SECURITY

A home burglary happens every 12 seconds in the U.S. with an average loss per burglary of over $1500. Home burglaries seem to always increase around the holiday periods but statistically, the summer months (July and August) have the most reported home break-ins and the winter months (February) have the fewest.

Burglaries
- are most often committed by young males, 25 years old and younger
- are cased out ahead of time to find the best home to break into and the best time to break in
- take items easily converted to cash - electronics, jewelry and cash
- target residences where the home-owner/resident is away
- happen most often during the daytime
- 35% of the time are via unlocked doors or windows

Tips to minimize your risk:
1. Get a security system
- cost is approx. $30/month
- you may be able to just get a "decoy" sticker for doors and windows saying there is a security system
- get a dog or place a screw-in leash holder with leash and water dish in your yard
- join Operation Identification with your local police department and etch i.d. numbers on high value items making them easier to track and harder to sell

2. Make your home a "hard target", difficult to break into
- install deadbolts on doors
- re-inforce doorframes
- remove brush or cover around doors and windows (thieves could use to hide)
- light the exterior especially areas around doors
- lock all doors when away including inside garage door

3. Make your home appear lived in
- use timers on your lights in more than one room while you are home and away

***When you are away for an extended time:
- hire a house-sitter when away to care for plants and animals
- have neighbors collect mail and newspapers
- have someone park a car in your driveway and ask them to move it occasionally
- keep the lawn mowed

4. Get to know your neighbors - let them know you will be gone and ask them to keep a watch on your home for suspicious activity

5. Secure and inventory your valuables
- every year, photograph your belongings in the home and keep track of make, model and serial numbers to be used in the event of an insurance claim
- keep valuables put away and locked up if possible

The Bottom Line
The bottom line, practice good security all the time by keeping your doors locked and valuables out of sight. Look out for your neighbors and build strong community.