Did you know that most residential burglars plan their home invasions before they happen? Robbers look for houses that are easy to enter. They know they can get in quickly, swipe your possessions, and leave without being detected. There isn’t a method that will provide complete prevention of a home invasion. But there are a few simple steps you can take to decrease your chances of a break-in.
Before we get to those tips, read these facts:
- Most robberies of two-person family homes occur during the day.
- On average, thieves spend one minute gaining entry and less than five minutes inside a home.
- The first floor is the most common area for burglaries.
- The rear door, side door, and garage door are the most common areas for entry.
Using these items, walk around your house and put yourself in the shoes of a burglar. Ask yourself the following questions:
- Can you windows be opened easily?
- Are deadbolts installed on exterior doors? Can doors be kicked in?
- When was the last time you changed the keypad code to your garage door?
- Does the landscaping help a burglar conceal himself while attempting to open a window or door?
- Is your home well lit? Are lights motion-sensor controlled? Are lights installed high enough so that burglars can’t disable them?
- Is your identity displayed anywhere outside your house?
- Are your possessions secure? Documented? Out of sight?
Answering these questions will help make your home less attractive to thieves and greatly reduce your chances of a break-in.