|
Security Tips for the Homeowner
Apr 5, 2007
There is no such thing as a burglar-proof home. There are, however, homes that are too difficult to break into.
A burglar looks for a speedy entry and to not attract attention. Homes not easily and quickly broken into are most often bypassed for easier targets and the longer it takes to enter and the more noise he makes increase his chances of being seen and caught. A burglar's three worst enemies -- light, time and noise -- can help you protect your home from crime. A burglar won't find your home an easy target if he's forced to work in the light, if he has to take a lot of time breaking in, and if he can't work quietly. Take the time to "case" your house, just as a burglar would, and see if you have made it easy or difficult to break into.
The majority of home and apartment burglaries occur during the daytime when most people are away at work or school. The summer months of July and August have the most burglaries with February having the fewest crimes. Burglaries are committed most often by young males under 25 years of age looking for items that are small, expensive, and can easily be converted to cash. Favorite items are cash, jewelry, guns, watches, laptop computers, VCRs, video players, CDs and other small electronic devices are high on the list. Quick cash is needed for living expenses and drugs. Statistics tell us that 70% of the burglars use some amount force to enter a dwelling, but their preference is to gain easy access through an open door or window. Ordinary household tools like screwdrivers, channel-lock pliers, small pry bars, and small hammers are most often used by burglars. Burglars continue to flourish because police can only clear about 13% of all reported burglaries and rarely catch the thief in the act.
Although home burglaries may seem random in occurrence, they actually involve a selection process. The burglar's selection process is simple. Choose an unoccupied home with the easiest access, the greatest amount of cover, and with the best escape routes.
It is easy for a criminal to bypass a single line of defense. Multiple layers not only slow him, but serve as a means to alert you or your neighbors that someone is trying to break in. Once you've made it slow and difficult for him to get inside, an alarm can be effective since it gives the cavalry a chance to arrive in time. In addition, burglar, carbon monoxide and fire alarms will help to keep your home owner's insurance down.
Rearranging your furnishings might be advisable if it serves to make your home less inviting to criminals. Incidentally, should you ever need to report a burglary or file an insurance claim, a household inventory - a listing of your furniture and major personal belongings - could be a valuable document.
Burglars are less likely to victimize a house that looks occupied or is protected by a security system, so take steps today to make your home and its contents less attractive to criminals.
|
|
|
