A home burglary occurs every 16 seconds. More than half of the victims have their place broken into again within a month of the first attack. Find out the common ways burglars break in and what to do to keep your home safe.
Popular points of entry for home break-ins
Don’t let the fact that you live in a “good neighborhood” give you a false sense of security. Homes in the suburbs are 50 percent more likely to be burglarized. Here are the most common ways burglars break in.
- 34% of burglars walk right through the front door
- 23% of thieves climb through a first-floor window
- 22% of robbers break in through a back door
- 9% of crooks go through the garage
- 4% of intruders sneak in through an unlocked entrance
- 2% of criminals enter somewhere on the second floor
Once they get inside, they head straight to the bedroom to search for things to steal.
Goodies that make burglars happy
According to the FBI, each burglary results in approximately $2,416 worth of losses. The most coveted items for thieves are cash (no surprise), electronics and jewelry. Other items on their wish list include medications, guns and your identity. Unfortunately, only 13% of burglary cases get solved.
When do most break-ins occur?
Based on what you see in movies, you’d probably think that most break-ins occur at night. However, 65 percent of burglaries actually occur between 6am and 6pm while most people are at work, school or running errands. The most common time frame is between 10am and 3pm.
How long does the average burglary take?
Burglars know they need to move quick if they don’t want to get caught. Therefore, it usually only takes them 8 to 10 minutes to get in and out of a home. The crazy part is that 47 percent of break-ins aren’t planned. Sometimes an opportunity just presents itself.
Simple ways to protect your home
Although burglaries happen on a regular basis, it doesn’t mean you have to be next. Here are some steps you can take to enhance the security of your home.
- Always lock your doors and windows before you leave.
- Invest in a home security system or cameras.
- Get a large dog or at least pick up a “Beware of Dog” sign and hang it in your front window.
- Change all the locks when you first move into your house/apartment.
- Trim your bushes so burglars have nowhere to hide.
- Install motion sensor lights around the exterior of your home.
- Hide your valuables in a home safe or lock box.
- Don’t announce your travel plans on social media.
- Put your lights on a timer when you go on vacation.
