In the U.S., a home burglary occurs approximately every 15 seconds. Of those burglaries, about 85% will go unsolved. If those facts are surprising, just wait, there’s more that you need to know.
The Facts
The most powerful weapon we have is knowledge, and when it comes to your home’s security, we want you to be as prepared as possible. Here are eight surprising facts about burglaries:
No security is like an open door – Homes without a home security system are 2-3 times more likely to be burglarized.
Very few houses are secure – Only about 14% of homes have a security system.
The ‘burbs aren’t as safe as you think – Suburban homes are 1.5 times more likely to be broken into than homes in urban areas.
The early bird gets the worm – A burglary is more likely to happen between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., and 65% of home break-ins occur during the day.
It’s getting hot in here – Most break-ins occur between July and August and the fewest during February.
Thieves are quick – The average burglary only lasts 8-12 minutes.
The cost is high – Victims of burglary lose an average of $2,000 in stolen property.
Hello neighbor – Most burglars are teen males that live within a few miles of their victims. Only 15% of break-ins are committed by professional thieves.
What You Can Do
Learning these eye-opening facts is the first step toward empowering yourself; the next step is to protect your home. Here are some tips to help prevent your home from being victimized:
Secure it – The #1 deterrent of a burglar is a home security system.
Lock it up – Locking all doors and windows will ensure that you’re not helping robbers by making it easy for them. Adding deadbolts will make it even more difficult and might even deter them altogether.
Light it up – Leaving interior lights or a TV on during the day will give the illusion that someone is home. Putting outside lights on a timer or motion sensor will make your home look less appealing to rob.
Put your pup to work – You don’t have to get a junkyard dog; your little lap dog can be a tough defender, too. A loud noise like a dog barking or a security alarm will draw attention to your home, and robbers don’t like that kind of attention.
Make it look busy – A vacant home is the perfect target for a burglar. Having a car in the driveway, leaving a light on, and not leaving mail or newspapers out are all signs that someone is in fact home.
Know your neighbors – Getting to know your neighbors is a great way to give your home an added sense of security. You and your neighbors can help each other by looking after each other's homes when away.
Protect your home so that it won’t become just another statistic. For more information on how to keep your home safe, All Secured is here to help. An expert can assist you in finding the right system for your home.