Millions of home burglaries take place each year. A lot of them could’ve been avoided if homeowners were aware of the simple things that can be done to make their homes less attractive. You should take these steps to avoid a robbery yourself.
1. Your front door is unlocked
A Bureau of Justice Statistics report shows that most home burglaries happen in the daytime hours, and many experts say that burglars prefer to do things the easy way whenever possible. Since as many as 75% of homeowners leave their front doors unlocked on occasion, burglars will just walk in. Lock your doors when you go out for the day. You should also consider switching to a single solid door if you currently have a sectioned front door.
2. Your garbage cans advertise big items
Although property crimes have been on a steady decrease for years according to the FBI, electronics are still hot items for burglars. If your garbage cans include large boxes for big-screen TVs or gaming PCs, then burglars will go for them after looking for your cash. All you need to do is buy a box cutter and take a little time to shred the boxes into small pieces that fit into a garbage bag.
3. You have a chronic health condition
According to the Justice Department, painkiller thefts are on the rise as a result of the opioid epidemic. Thieves and drug addicts both know that people with chronic illnesses or pain are more likely to have painkillers. The best solutions are simple enough. Lock your doors when you don’t need to open them and consider getting a security system for your home.
4. Your windows are open and unsecured
Windows on the ground floor are considered entry point number two for most burglars since they’re easy to jimmy open or break. Fortunately, if you keep your windows locked, that’s usually enough to discourage prowlers. If you need your windows open in warmer months, then think about a window jam that’ll keep it from opening more than a few inches. You can also consider alarms that will let you know if your windows are tampered with while you’re out.
5. Your front yard is a mess
If your front yard looks messy, burglars will think that the house is always empty, which makes it a prime target for theft. Keep your front yard looking pristine while you’re there. If you do go away for a while, ask a neighbor to pick up your mail and turn your lights on and off. This makes potential burglars think the house is still occupied.
