Burglary is one of the most common property crimes in America. People want to feel safe in their homes, and if you live in an area where a lot of breaking into homes occurs, it can be a constant source of stress. The FBI says that two burglaries occur every minute across the U.S., which means more than 3,000 such incidents happen daily.
Also, these incidents happen in the middle of the day, which is different from how popular culture paints burglaries. According to 2019 data from the FBI, 45 percent of reported burglaries happened in the morning, while 39 percent was at night. Whichever way these crimes occur, though, they are the type of property crime that affects people’s mental health the most. Those who had suffered a burglary worry that it might happen again, and they have trouble sleeping at night. It isn’t surprising — on average, people lose more than $2,600 during incidents like these.
As with many things like health and business, proactiveness is a must in home security. Besides getting a high-security key and changing your locks regularly, here are more things you should know about burglaries and what you should do to prevent them.
More Burglaries Happen in Summer Months
On average, when temperatures rise, so do the chances of burglaries occurring. Approximately 10 percent more of these incidents happen between June and August, with most reports in June.
Rural States Report More Burglaries Than Urban Ones
Most people think that states with plenty of urban areas have a lot of break-ins. However, places like California and New York have fewer burglaries per capita than Louisiana, Mississippi, or New Mexico. Cincinnati, for example, saw 2,765 burglaries in 2019, according to the FBI. Meanwhile, New York City had 2,560 in the same period. A person’s chances of becoming a victim of property crime in Manhattan are one in 62, while the odds are at one in 23 in Cincinnati.
How Can I Prevent a Burglary of My Home?
Safety is not an afterthought. You can’t eliminate all chances of falling victim to burglaries, but you can keep them to a minimum. Here are things that can help ensure your home’s safety.
Do Not Post About Your House on Social Media
Many burglary victims are also active on social media, sharing shots of their beach getaway or posting about a trip while still on it. While it is your choice to share how much you want online, keep in mind that posts like these attract burglars. When you post about your trip while you’re still out of the house, it’s like a giant neon sign telling criminals how much time they have to loot your place.
Get Your Valuables Insured
Keep the effects of a burglary to a minimum by getting insurance for your prized possessions. If you have one-of-a-kind items, consider getting a heavy-duty safe with a high-security key. Have your safe built into a wall or bolted onto your floor. If you keep your valuables in safes like these, thieves cannot run away with them.
Always Keep Your Garden Trimmed
Landscaped shrubs and trees can help keep criminals at bay. If you keep your garden trimmed, you have fewer places for burglars to hide. Also, get someone to mow your lawn while you’re gone on extended trips. If the lawn is well-kept, people tend to think someone is at home.
Install Security Measures
You can get a $200 system, have a DIY installation, and couple it with home monitoring plans that cost as little as $10 per month. Even a simple home security system is enough to deter burglars. Also, upgrade your door locks. Typically, the locks that come with apartment doors are not secure, and it is easy to change them for ones that keep criminals out.
Install a Security Camera in Your Home
Intruders can get discouraged by outdoor security cameras. Install one where they might see it, and have a video doorbell camera as well to let burglars know that you can see what they’re doing.
Conclusion
Despite burglaries being the top concern of homeowners and renters, only 25 percent of Americans have a home security system. A surprising 40 percent don’t have any security measures in place at all. People often put off home security, especially when they have not experienced being burglarized. Do not wait for an intruder to break into your home, though. Secure your valuables today to worry less tomorrow!
Have peace of mind that your home is safe with Allied Lock & Door Services. We are a locksmith service in Cincinnati, OH, specializing in door and door closer repair, safe servicing, and access control. Contact us today for inquiries!