There is a common fear that residential burglary mostly happens during the night when people are fast asleep. However, contrary to this common fear, most residential burglary incidents occur during the day when there is no one at home.
Burglars tend to take action when no one is at home to call the police on them. Also, burglars tend to look for houses that are easy to break into. Good examples include homes with open windows all the time or homes with overgrown landscaping.
Because closing the doors and windows at all times is an obvious burglary prevention tip, what other tips are available?
Residential Burglary Overview
Residential burglaries occur more often than people think, and the true cost of a break-in might alarm homeowners!
If you have never experienced a home invasion, you may underestimate the expertise of the burglars. But don’t wait until you become part of the statistics.
In the US alone, there is an estimate of over 1 million residential burglaries each year. According to the Department of Justice, the United States experienced over 1.7 million burglaries In 2017 alone.
Research shows that most incidents happen during weekdays, especially during the hours between 10 a.m to 1 p.m, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., and 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. Burglars tend to love these hours because they anticipate that no one will be home, or you’ll be deep asleep. It takes them only a few minutes to get in and out with your precious belongings.
Another fascinating yet sad statistic is that 65% of burglarized homes are prone to a repeat incident after six weeks. Why six weeks? Well, six weeks in the United States is time enough to file an insurance claim and replace your property.
However, recent FBI reports indicate that burglary incidents have been on the decline. Perhaps, this is due to some homeowners embracing home security options such as those offered by ONIT Home. Despite this awakening, a staggering over 75% of homeowners still have not established a security system.
Before a burglar comes to break into your house, they must have carefully and diligently spied on your household. That allows them to break into your home easily, and some of them know exactly what they want in a particular home.
Smart Tips to Prevent a Burglary
Residential burglary not only results in significant losses, but it is also dangerous. Burglars can easily attack the homeowner during an invasion and cause physical damage. Although many break-ins may occur during the day, a burglar can break-in at any time of the day.
Many residential burglaries happen during the day and in the summer when many people are on vacation. Unfortunately, during summer also, many people tend to leave their windows and doors open more often, where burglars get the chance to break in.
A simple security strategy such as having security can help you avoid residential burglary and save you money on your insurance.
Apart from ensuring that you have security cameras installed all around your home, what more can you do? Below are detailed tips on how you can prevent residential burglary so that you, your loved ones, and your property can be safe.
Keep Your Lights on
Burglars can easily break into a house if they sense that the homeowner is not around. The best indication that the owner is not around is when lights are never on, especially exterior lights.
Your house numbers should always be lit and should also have a color that strongly contrasts your home.
Also, ensure that your exterior lights are highly mounted such that burglars cannot reach them. If you are out on vacation with your family, you can use a timer that lights on and off the lights at specific times of the day.
You can also install lights that have a sensor triggered when there is movement – this will deter anyone from entering your premises.
Lock All Your Doors and Windows
Maintain a habit of regularly closing your windows and doors, even for a short time. Ensure that all exterior doors and windows are closed when you are sleeping or not at home.
Also, for your exterior doors, you can replace your regular locks with deadbolt locks. Also, ensure that you attach the door frames and the strike plates with 3-inch screws.
In addition, if your exterior doors have hinges that face outwards, you can remove them and install recessed ones instead.
If you are using electronic locks, make sure that you change all passcodes. As mentioned, most burglars spy on the target homes before breaking in.
Also, consider adding window sensors so you can be notified when an intruder is using the window.
Hold Daily Deliveries
Another way thieves know that the homeowner is not around is a full mailbox. You can have the post office hold your daily deliveries and resume once you are home.
Also, if you shop online, ask your trusted neighbor to pick them up or stop the deliveries until you are back home.
Keep Your Lawn Short
If you are away for an extended period of time, you can have someone mow your lawn. Ensure that you always trim your bushes to eliminate hiding spots if you are around.
Also, you can plant thorny plants or bushes under your windows to minimize any grounds that burglars can stand on. Ensure that no plants block your windows to serve as ladders.
You can use landscape rocks instead of beautiful bark around your home. Unlike beauty bark, landscape rocks will make noise when someone steps on them.
Managing your landscaping and trimming your bushes shows that there is someone in the house and will deter thieves from breaking in.
Other Tips
- Never leave or hide your keys around your home; thieves might have mastered your hiding spot. It is best to leave your keys with a friend, a family member, or a trusted friend.
- Lock all your items in your house, including lawn equipment or any other tool a thief can use to enter your house.
- Always resist the urge to announce your vacation dates or your trips on social media.
- If you have recently moved into a new home, make sure that you change all the locks in the house. Many people tend to forget to close the garage doors, so ensure that you have locked your garage door well.
Smart Security Equipment to Prevent Residential Burglary
All said and done, having security equipment specifically for your home will reinforce the security of your home and prevent residential burglary.
Below are some effective items that you can include for the security of your home;
A Working Alarm
For a more substantial level of home security, invest in a working and visible alarm for your home. Invest in a reliable one to send a clear message to thieves that your home is not an easy target.
Ring alarm pro has features like;
- Mobile alerts
- Motion detectors
- Built-in Wi-Fi
- Easy installation
With Ring Alarm Pro, if you get a mobile alert and confirm an intrusion, you can quickly phone the police and inform them of the intrusion. You can get an efficient alarm system from online platforms such as Amazon for as low as $50.
Motion Sensor Flood Lights
A motion sensor alerts you when someone is in your home, and they shouldn’t be. You can get the Leonlite LED security motion sensor light from Amazon and other online platforms. For as low as $49.99, you will enjoy the following g features:
- 180 degrees and 70 feet long detection
- Dusk to dawn features
- Energy saving
- Waterproof
Ring Video Doorbell
For an updated doorbell, the Ring video doorbell is an excellent choice. When combined with Alexa, you can easily answer your doorbell from your phone. In addition, with HD video, you can see who’s on your front door on your phone.
The Ring video doorbell is available on Amazon as a refurbished device, but it works and looks new. It also has a limited warranty, just like a new device.
Here’s what the device offers:
- 1080p HD video
- Motion sensor
- Mobile notifications
- Live view
- Easy to set up
Remote Controlled Garage
A remote-controlled garage door system such as the Chamberlain MyQ Garage is another excellent security item for your garage door. You can open and close your garage door remotely. You can also use this security item to check the status of the garage door even when you’re fitted at your desk at work.
This security system is not only easy to install, but it also has broad compatibility. That means that the system can efficiently use your current garage hardware.
You can get this security system easily installed by our experts. Some amazing features may include:
- Automatic alerts: Receiving notifications when your garage door opens or closes
- Versatility: Works with a wide range of garage door openers
- Easy installation
You can get smart door garage doors online for as low as $70 to highs of $900 depending on features.
Amazon Key In-Garage Delivery
If you receive deliveries from Amazon, you can consider having an Amazon Key in-garage delivery. Then, your goods will be delivered in your garage instead of leaving on your front porch to be stolen by porch pirates.
You just need to add items to your Amazon cart and select key delivery.
This gadget only costs about $30.Once you have a Key-compatible smart lock set up, the Amazon Key service will not cost you any extra maintenance fees.
Final Take Away
The security of your home should always be a priority in everything you do. Thanks to the technology available today, burglars have also learned tricks to tweak your digital home security devices. Fortunately, you can trust Onit Home to take care of your home security needs, and you can chill out knowing your home is safe. For more information about the security technologies we provide, feel free to call us at 800-610-2146 to speak to our home security experts.