In the last year that the Office of Justice published Crime Statistics (2004)
–77% of all crimes were property related
–On average, nearly 17% of all criminal homes were broken into by a burglar
–In 85% of burglaries, the offender managed to enter the house or another building.
Ask any expert in the field and they will tell you that 90% of all thefts are preventable. So if the odds of it happening to you are so good and it’s such a preventable event, what do you have to do to stop the thieves? I’m so glad you asked.
Sometimes the best home security is put in place when you are the one doing the assessment and any corrective action – a do-it-yourself home security plan.
Here are some home security tips that will definitely discourage or prevent a potential intruder from entering your home. It’s not an all-inclusive list, but following it will certainly go a long way in making your home safer.
1. Take a critical look at your house from the outside. Is your house well lit? Are there hiding places near doors and windows? If you can spot a potential weakness in the “look” of your home, you can bet a professional burglar can exploit it. Remember that light is an enemy to thieves, darkness is a friend.
2. What could delay a burglar entering your home? Simple home security devices such as locks on doors (bolts are best) and windows, bars, grills, items that are visible from the outside of the home will not only act as a deterrent, but slow down a intruder in case he decides to try to break in. . The longer it takes to break into a house, the more discouraged the burglar will feel. Time is the thief’s enemy.
3. How loud can you get if someone wins the ticket? Noise is also the thief’s enemy. There are many home security alarms that are activated when doors or windows are opened or by movement. The sound of a barking dog, real or recorded, is very effective and will scare away most burglars.
Lights, noise and time are the three biggest enemies of an intruder. By implementing these home security tips to strengthen your home, you may be able to prevent many potential burglaries. But there are some other things that will also help.
—Keep valuables out of sight. Don’t risk tempting someone. Consider putting small valuables in diversion safes.
—Start or join a neighborhood watch. Strangers often stand out in a neighborhood and should be reported immediately to the police.
—Make your home look busy when you’re away. Burglars are much less likely to consider a home they feel is occupied.
—Close your doors and windows Even when you are gone for a short period of time. Summer presents a great temptation to leave doors or windows open. Don’t give in to temptation. I have seen so many garage doors open just a foot or two to let the heat out, far enough to let a burglar in.
Many police departments as a public service will offer advice on how to make your home safer. Call for availability in your area.
There are several simple things you can do to make your home less prone to burglar intrusion. Start with an assessment on how to make your home well lit, safer, and in the event of a break-in, how to make it very noisy. Light, time and noise are the enemies of the professional thief.