Even if you don’t have an Agent Dozer to protect your home and family, there are a few tips to keep your home and loved ones safe against a break-ins.
Here are some home security statistics that may shock you, and hopefully motivate you to make your home less interesting to burglars.
Even if you don’t have an Agent Dozer to protect your home and family, there are a few tips to keep your home and loved ones safe against a break-ins.
Here are some home security statistics that may shock you, and hopefully motivate you to make your home less interesting to burglars.
- 2,000,000 home burglaries are reported each year in the United States.
- In the U.S., a home burglary occurs every 13 seconds.
- About 30 percent of all burglaries are through an open or unlocked window or door.
- Nearly 66 percent of all burglaries are residential (home) break-ins.
- Renters are just as likely to be the victims of property crime as homeowners.
- The highest percentage of burglaries occur during the summer months.
- Homes without security systems are up to 300% more likely to be broken into.
Burglary Facts
- 2.5 million+ home intrusions are committed each year.
- Only 17% of the homes in U.S. have a security system.
- 2,500+ cars stolen per day… almost 2 cars a minute.
- Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in the U.S.
- 1 out of 3 residential assaults are a result of a burglary.
- 85% of break-ins are from non-professionals that are usually more desperate and dangerous.
- People want security and need peace of mind.
- Insurance agencies can offer discounts for auto insurance when a home security system is installed.
- Home security statistics tell us that 95% of break-ins needed some amount of force to break-in.
- Thieves prefer easy access, through an unlocked doors or windows.
- Home security statistics tell us that the type of tools used to break in are usually simple; a screwdriver, pliers, pries bars, and small hammers are most common.
- Police usually only clear 13% of all reported burglaries due to lack of witnesses or physical evidence.
When do most break-in occur?
- Usually in the daytime when occupants are at school or work.
- July and August most the frequent months for break-ins.
- February is the least frequent for home breaks.
What can you do to prevent becoming a victim?
- Use a solid core or metal door at entrance points.
- Use a heavy-duty deadbolt with a one inch throw bolt.
- Use a quality knob-in-lock set with dead latch mechanism.
- When you move into a new house or apartment, change the door locks.
- Increase the security of sliding glass doors by inserting a wooden dowel or stick into the door track to prevent movement.
Windows (the most frequent point of entry during warm weather months)
- For ventilation, leave no more than a 4 – 6-inch window opening.
- An open window that is visible from the street may be the sole reason that a house is targeted. An open window with only a locked window screen is particularly inviting to thieves. Access is quick, easy and silent.
Make sure that opening is not large enough to allow someone to reach through to unlock the door or remove window lock.
Be A Good Neighbor
- Get to know your neighbors.
- Agree to watch each other’s home.
- While on vacation, pick up mail, newspapers, packages and flyers; put out their trash on trash day (and return empty barrels).
- Offer to park your car in their driveway and listen for a siren from their home security system.
- Water flowers, grass and plants.
- Communicate with each other.
Home Alarm Systems
- Increase the potential of burglar being caught.
- Burglars will usually bypass a home that they believe has a sophisticated burglar alarm.
- Home security statistics tell us that an audible horn or siren must be part of the system.
- Alarm systems should reset within three minutes so as not to disturb the neighborhood.
- Leave a key to your house and alarm system with a trusted neighbor who is usually there when you are not home.
- Alarm systems can also monitor fire sensors and panic buttons.
What if you see something of someone acting suspicious?
- If you see anyone acting suspicious around your house or a neighbor’s house, call 911 immediately.
- If your house is broken into, call police immediately. Don’t touch anything that the criminal may have touched.
- Wait outside for police to arrive.
- Not all break-ins will be stopped, regardless of the precautions that you take.
Talk to your insurance agent to make sure that your valuables will be covered in the event of a theft.
The Agent Insurance Services | (330) 758-3339