October is National Crime Prevention Month through the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC). It is a month-long commemoration to reinforce the fact that crime prevention pays off, and each week highlights a different theme to create more awareness. For the Neighborhood and Home Safety theme week of the 8th through the 14th we wanted to give tips on how to prevent a crime at your home.
Prevent Crime at Home by Thinking like a Burglar.
Studies show that most burglaries can be classified as random opportunistic acts — not planned events. You can help protect against a burglary by looking at your home from a burglar’s point of view. Here are a few questions a burglar might ask when deciding on a house to target.
Is Anyone Home?
The first thing a burglar will do is check to see if anyone is home. Sometimes the burglar will simply knock on the front door. If someone answers, the burglar will make up an excuse for the disturbance, such as being lost and asking for directions or needing to use a telephone. If no one answers, the burglar may do further research by looking into windows or listening for the sound of someone watching television. Other times, if the knock at the door goes unanswered, the burglar will try to turn the door knob and three out of ten times he or she will walk right in, so keep your door locked at all times.
Make it appear as though your home is occupied when you are away by setting timers on your lights and televisions. Also consider installing motion sensor lights in dark areas outside of your home such as near the garage or backdoor to scare away potential burglars.
Is the Home Equipped with an Alarm System?
A study found that nearly all convicted burglars interviewed (9 out of 10) admitted that they would avoid homes with alarm systems. If a potential burglar sees a security yard sign or window decal outside of a home, they may think twice about going through with an attack. Most criminals can also tell between “dummy” signs, stickers and cameras, and the real thing.
An alarm system is the best protection against a burglary, so it is important to have the right one installed in your home. It is also important to have the components of your alarm system in the right locations in your home. If a keypad is visible from the outside, perhaps through decorative glass on your front door, a burglar could sneak a peek to see if the alarm system is activated. Get into the habit of using your system, and activating your alarm every time you leave your home.
What is the Easiest Way to Break In?
A burglar will try his or her best to get into a home undetected. Most burglars enter through a door, and a skilled burglar can bypass a locked door in seconds. The next favored method of entry is through a window. Burglars prefer to go through an unlocked window rather than breaking one and leaving DNA behind. Burglars are also resourceful and can gain entry to the second story of a home by using a ladder found outside, so it’s important to keep the windows on each level of your home locked and your tools put away.
On average, burglars will spend no more than 60 seconds breaking into a home. A longer attempt may result in detection by a neighbor or passerby. Consider upgrading to deadbolt locks and reinforcing the frame of your front door to make a break in more strenuous on the burglar.
Will Anyone Notice?
Burglars target homes that they can get away from easily. A burglar’s ideal home would be located in a dark, lifeless neighborhood with good hiding places and escape paths, such as a home with overgrown bushes or trees in the yard.
Eliminate areas for a burglar to hide by regularly taking care of your lawn. Make sure the exterior of your home is well-lit at night including areas where someone could hide. If your community has a neighborhood watch program, be an active member. If it doesn’t, think about starting one in your area so you can cut down the risk of burglary for everyone in your community.
By thinking like a burglar, you can help protect your home and property.
Be Sure. Be Secure.
Atronic Alarms, Inc.
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