I read this article last week on how to stop burglars, wondering if there was anything I didn’t already know. Not really. In fact, it hit on some of the major points from my own book on home security, but I’ll summarize the gist of the article here:
- Criminals pick targets not just because of vulnerability but also because of the likelihood of having valuables they can grab and sell.
- Many burglars just walk around checking for unlocked doors or windows!
- Evidence of affluence attracts burglars.
- Single-family homes with cover attract more burglaries, especially homes in the middle of a street rather than at a cross-section.
- Apartment buildings, however, find corner units targeted more often.
- Homes that have been recently burglarized are likely to be burglarized again; same goes for nearby homes.
- Criminals like to target garages because homeowners often do not lock the personal entry doorway between the garage and interior of the home.
- Lock your doors! And windows.
- Exterior doors should be sturdy enough to prevent being kicked in because some burglars, failing all else, will just kick the door in because it’s quieter (and safer) than breaking a window. Note: doorways with panes of glass or side windows can be problematic.
- Burglars avoid homes with cameras and alarm systems.
I’d say much of this is common sense, wouldn’t you? But there’s still more you can do if you’d like to read my book the topic, including around the holidays, when on vacation, and more.
What about you? What else do you do to keep your home and valuables safe?
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