In a three-year period through 2015, 2016, and 2017, property crime averaged just over 9,000,000 victims per year. 2016 was a standout year for household burglary, with over 2,000,000 victims reported. Are you using a home security system to mitigate the risk?
The way to out think a burglar is to think like a burglar. Evaluate what you would do to break into your own house, were you a burglar. Where are the weak points? When would you expect the most popular time to commit a burglary? What rooms carry the most value, with televisions, expensive furniture, and other wears?
The Most Common Room is…
Your master bedroom. Congratulations. Are you surprised? Master bedrooms are the jackpot rooms of the house. If there is one other place for a television, besides the living room, it is the master bedroom. Jewelry, keepsakes, safes, and so much more – all in your master bedroom.
Second in line on the thief’s wish list is the home office. From computers and cables to smartphones and more, the office holds potential treasures. On down the list you find the living room and dining room. A burglar’s least favorite room? Well, you guessed it, it is probably yours, too. The bathroom.
The number one most commonly stolen item out of someone’s home is good old fashioned cash. We live in the digital age, which easily makes electronics the second most-popular grab. Pawn shops buy almost anything, which makes nearly everything in your home up-for-grabs.
How to Protect Yourself
Guess what? According to this University of North Carolina study, approximately 60% of convicted burglars admitted the presence of a security system directly influenced houses they hit.
There is no harm in announcing to the neighborhood that your home is protected with yard signs and window stickers. If you invest in a home security system, the best defense is a good offence. Let a burglar know what is in store if they try to break in.
If you had to guess when most burglaries occur, what would you guess? Obviously, it would be late at night, right? Wrong. Most burglaries go down between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Why? Because everyone is at work or school. It is far better than trying to get in when you are home at night.
Even more, a typical burglar does not come from far and wide. They usually live within two miles of their target home. Because they are close to you, they get to know your schedule. And it is easier for them to tell if you are on vacation. Once they are in, it typically takes a burglar less than ten minutes to get what they want.
An indoor or outdoor motion-activated camera security system allows homeowners to monitor their house throughout the day. Deterrents places around the property let criminals know your home is off limits.
Property and household burglary statistics have remained stable, yet 9,000,000 is a lot of people. There are ways to protect yourself and your property. Are you utilizing them?