Tips on Protecting Your Home Against Burglary

Although the December holiday season is the prime-time for burglars, they are more than happy to relieve you of your possessions any time of the year. Here's a list of the most stolen items from data reported to insurance companies, burglar alarm companies, and the FBI.

Tips on Protecting Your Home Against Burglary

Just about every community is experiencing an increase in the number of burglary or theft losses. What can you do to lessen your chance of your home being burglarized? It's almost impossible to make your home completely secure from a burglar, but you can make it difficult enough or time-consuming enough to encourage a burglar to look elsewhere.

First, stand outside your house at night and compare your home with others in the neighborhood. Is your home the easiest target for a burglar? Is it well lit or dark? Is it easy for someone to hide near your home and not be seen? For example, a high fence or lots of shrubbery may be great for privacy, but it also provides a good place for a burglar to hide.

Do you regularly lock your home when you're gone? Make sure all members of your family lock up when they leave. This includes windows as well. Sliding glass doors are especially easy to open, and a security bar placed in the channel is a simple yet effective prevention tool. Always leave an interior light on when you're gone, and don't hide a key outside the house.

Always make it a point to do a complete security check before you leave for the weekend or vacation. Let a trusted neighbor know when you're going to be gone overnight or longer, and ask them to keep an eye out for anything unusual. It's also a good idea to notify your local police if you're going to be gone for an length of time. If you're going to be gone for more than a day or two, make arrangements for someone to pick up your mail and newspaper, or stop delivery entirely. Also make arrangements to have the lawn mowed if you are gone for any length of time. Use an automatic timer to turn lights on and off according to your normal routine.

You don't have to be an expert or invest a lot of money to improve the security of your home. Being aware of theft and burglary prevention and then taking basic security measures can go a long way toward protecting your family and property.