Home Security Tips: Don't Become Another Burglary Statistic

FBI statistics show that in 2010 residential burglaries accounted for 73.9% of all burglaries. However 33.2% did not include a forcible entry. This is because most burglaries occur through an unlocked front door. A burglar will ring the doorbell to figure out nobody is home and then try the door. It is amazing how many people leave their front unlocked as they run out their garage door. Even if it is locked, if there is not a good deadbolt installed into a good door frame, with a simple swift kick, they're in. The second most common area is a side or rear door, and finally a below-grade basement window.

Those same statistics show that most burglaries occur during the day. The average burglar will spend less than a minute breaking into the home and less than five minutes inside. Most burglars are looking for easily pawned items, such as jewelry and small electronics, like blue ray players.

What can the average person do to help secure your house and prevent you from being a victim? For security purposes, keep your bushes trimmed, a well-landscaped house with low bushes make it harder to go unnoticed. Put lights on timers to make it appear somebody is home. It may sound obvious but keep all of your doors and windows locked. Check your doors to make sure the frames are strong and install deadbolts on your doors. Stop newspaper and mail delivery if you are going to be gone for an extended period of time. Don’t advertise the fact that your are going to be away for a while.

Facebook posts are watched, because the would-be burglary is a friend of a neighborhood friend in many cases. Finally, install a professional security system. A burglar will attack a non protected home before a protected one.

These tips will help you not become a statistic. Burglaries in Wheaton occur more than you realize.

Submitted by Wayne Schrickerwayne@securityinstallationgroup.com 630-517-8281