Terri Ramsey Beavers In a recent Forbes article, it was reported a home burglary happens every 25.7 seconds in the country, with an average of $2,926 stolen per break-in in 2020. These alarming statistics highlight the growing trend of home burglaries and the need for homeowners to take preventive measures.
If you’re one of the many homeowners who worry about the safety of your property, here are some tips to safeguard your home and protect yourself from becoming a target of burglary.
Don’t Advertise Your Absence
One common mistake many homeowners make is announcing their absence through social media or leaving obvious signs like piled-up newspapers or uncollected mail. Burglars often scout for vulnerable homes by looking for these telltale signs. To avoid this, make sure to have someone collect your mail or newspaper while you’re away and refrain from posting about your trip on social media until after you’ve returned.
Understanding the Thief’s Mindset
To outsmart burglars, it’s essential to understand their thought processes. Most break-ins occur during the daytime when homeowners are either at work or running errands. Burglars look for easy targets and aim to be in and out as quickly as possible, so they avoid homes with security systems.
When choosing a security system, make sure it’s visible and has features that can detect motion and send alerts to your phone or monitoring service. Additionally, consider getting a dog as they act as great deterrents to burglars.
Investing in Smart Home Technology
With advancements in technology, there are now many affordable smart home devices that can help protect your property. These include video doorbells, smart cameras, and most importantly, smart door locks. The best smart door lock not only enhances your home security but also adds convenience by allowing you to lock and unlock your doors remotely from your smartphone.
Smart door locks come with various features like one-time access codes for guests, auto-locking, and real-time alerts when someone enters or exits your home. They also eliminate the need for spare keys, which are often targets for burglars.
There are also smart home devices that can simulate occupancy by turning lights on and off at random times, creating the illusion that someone is home.
Joining a Neighborhood Watch Program
An effective way to protect your home is by joining or starting a neighborhood watch program. This allows you to get to know your neighbors and work together to keep an eye out for suspicious activity. Having multiple sets of eyes looking out can significantly reduce the risk of burglaries in your community.
In addition to these preventative measures, it’s crucial to have a plan in case a burglary does occur. Make sure to keep important documents and valuable items in a secure location and have an emergency contact in place for such situations.
Legal Rights and Recourse for Burglary Victims
In the unfortunate event that your home is burglarized, it’s essential to know your legal rights and available recourse. Contacting the police should be the first step, followed by filing an insurance claim for any stolen or damaged items.
If there are signs of forced entry, it’s crucial to document everything and not touch anything until the police have completed their investigation. This documentation will be crucial for insurance purposes and any potential legal action against the burglar.
Conclusion
Burglaries can happen to anyone, but there are steps you can take to decrease your chances of becoming a victim. By being aware of common mistakes and understanding burglars’ mindset, investing in smart home technology, joining a neighborhood watch program, and knowing your legal rights, you can safeguard your home and protect yourself from becoming a target. Stay vigilant and stay safe. Remember, prevention is always better than cure.
Do you have any other tips or experiences related to home burglaries and prevention? Share them below!