Home Security - Why Home Burglary Is So Pervasive
In case you were not aware of this, home burglary is one of the very few areas of crime that is growing in the United States today.
According to FBI statistics over 2 million burglaries are reported every year.
That is slightly less than one in five homes being the victim of a burglary.
If you were a betting man, that would mean that you have a 20% chance of being burglarized.
Homeowners spend an average of just over $210,000 on their homes with another $50-$60,000 in furnishings, fixtures and equipment.
For just about anybody I know that is the biggest investment that they have.
Does it make sense to leave it completely unprotected? I didn't think so! So why is home burglary so pervasive? Here are some reasons why it is so common and some simple steps you can take to prevent it from happening at your home.
From the nearly 9 years that we have been in the home security products business, we have noticed two things that may contribute to the popularity of home burglary.
The first is that homeowners actually make it pretty easy for burglars to get into their homes.
Yes, you heard me right.
Homeowners make it easy.
Just over 30% of all home burglaries happen through unlocked entryways.
They don't even lock the doors.
The bad guys just walk right in-hello! The second reason that it's so popular is that according to police statistics there's less than a 5% chance of even getting caught.
And if you are caught the penalties, especially for first or second time offenders, are usually minimal if any at all.
The value, on average, of goods taken in a burglary is close to $1900.
Not bad for 10 or less minutes worth of work-the average time that a burglar spends inside your home.
So it represents a high-reward low-risk enterprise for the burglar.
Now can you see why it's so popular? Here are some things that you can do to prevent a burglary in the first place-the preferred method-home burglary prevention.
1.
Start or join a neighborhood watch program.
It is one of the most effective programs for building up neighborhood security.
Neighbors watching out for neighbors.
It is free and is supported by the Sheriffs' Department or Police Department.
2.
Eliminate any hiding places the you may have around lower-level doors and windows.
3.
Put some signs up in your front yard that warn of a vicious guard dog or security system in place.
You can get signs like this at a local big box store or do one yourself.
4.
Put some Magnetic Window/Door Alarms on all your doors and windows.
They are cheap, loud and will scare away most burglars.
As a bonus they may draw attention to your home even from your neighbor if you're not there.
5.
And lastly, hide your valuables inside common looking objects called diversion safes that have hollowed out interiors.
Since burglars only spend 5 to 10 minutes inside your home, they can't look everywhere and a diversion safe is a good way to hide valuables.
No one would think to look inside a soup can for a valuable piece of jewelry as an example.
According to FBI statistics over 2 million burglaries are reported every year.
That is slightly less than one in five homes being the victim of a burglary.
If you were a betting man, that would mean that you have a 20% chance of being burglarized.
Homeowners spend an average of just over $210,000 on their homes with another $50-$60,000 in furnishings, fixtures and equipment.
For just about anybody I know that is the biggest investment that they have.
Does it make sense to leave it completely unprotected? I didn't think so! So why is home burglary so pervasive? Here are some reasons why it is so common and some simple steps you can take to prevent it from happening at your home.
From the nearly 9 years that we have been in the home security products business, we have noticed two things that may contribute to the popularity of home burglary.
The first is that homeowners actually make it pretty easy for burglars to get into their homes.
Yes, you heard me right.
Homeowners make it easy.
Just over 30% of all home burglaries happen through unlocked entryways.
They don't even lock the doors.
The bad guys just walk right in-hello! The second reason that it's so popular is that according to police statistics there's less than a 5% chance of even getting caught.
And if you are caught the penalties, especially for first or second time offenders, are usually minimal if any at all.
The value, on average, of goods taken in a burglary is close to $1900.
Not bad for 10 or less minutes worth of work-the average time that a burglar spends inside your home.
So it represents a high-reward low-risk enterprise for the burglar.
Now can you see why it's so popular? Here are some things that you can do to prevent a burglary in the first place-the preferred method-home burglary prevention.
1.
Start or join a neighborhood watch program.
It is one of the most effective programs for building up neighborhood security.
Neighbors watching out for neighbors.
It is free and is supported by the Sheriffs' Department or Police Department.
2.
Eliminate any hiding places the you may have around lower-level doors and windows.
3.
Put some signs up in your front yard that warn of a vicious guard dog or security system in place.
You can get signs like this at a local big box store or do one yourself.
4.
Put some Magnetic Window/Door Alarms on all your doors and windows.
They are cheap, loud and will scare away most burglars.
As a bonus they may draw attention to your home even from your neighbor if you're not there.
5.
And lastly, hide your valuables inside common looking objects called diversion safes that have hollowed out interiors.
Since burglars only spend 5 to 10 minutes inside your home, they can't look everywhere and a diversion safe is a good way to hide valuables.
No one would think to look inside a soup can for a valuable piece of jewelry as an example.
