If you’re out there for a house security system, you will need to first determine your private home’s vulnerabilities so the system you put in is tailored to your needs. A key step on this research process is learning how burglars break in and when it’s more than likely to occur.
To enable you to find the best home security system, below you’ll find a number of the most frequent weak points in our homes and what you’ll be able to do to discourage break ins.
Information About Break ins
Crime data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics show that home burglaries are more common throughout the summer months. This may occasionally be because many Americans travel during this time, leaving their homes unattended for days and even weeks. Some astute burglars will even monitor social media resembling Nextdoor to examine whether you’re on vacation.
In contrast, throughout the colder months people are inclined to stay indoors. Further, the FBI’s 2022 Expanded Property Crime statistics found that burglaries are barely more common throughout the daytime than at night.
Certain houses may be likelier targets for home break ins based on several key characteristics. In response to ADT, homes without an alarm system are 3 times as more likely to be the goal of a forcible entry. Its location also can make your private home more vulnerable: Houses in the midst of a street or at the tip of a cul-de-sac provide more seclusion, which burglars use to go undetected.
Understanding the aspects that make our homes more vulnerable to a house invasion helps us take proactive steps to secure our home.
Common Vulnerabilities
Aside from seasonal aspects or location, there are several common vulnerabilities which send a signal to potential intruders that your private home is a straightforward goal. These include the absence of a house security system, an overgrown lawn or pileups of packages and other mail.
Let’s go over 4 common vulnerabilities and how one can address them:
- Overgrown laws and backyard – Not trimming your lawn, trees and bushes creates hiding places from where burglars can approach your private home undetected. Keeping a trimmed landscape will enable you to, your neighbors or your security cameras see burglars before they fight breaking in (and get you brownie points along with your HOA)
- Letting packages and mail pile up – When this happens, it’s a signal to anyone who passes by that you just’re probably not at home, increasing your risk of a break in. Before you go away, especially in the summertime, be certain to put a hold on the post office in order that they won’t deliver anything when you’re away, or ask a neighbor or friend to select up your mail
- Not having exterior lighting – While many consider break ins are inclined to occur at night, the reality is our homes are most vulnerable to interrupt ins throughout the day, when nobody is home. Nonetheless, installing proper exterior lighting will help deter any intruder who chooses to interrupt in at night.
- Lack of a house security system – Not having a house security system signals to burglars that you just don’t have a way of monitoring your private home. Nowadays, there’s a plethora of reasonably priced sensors and cameras you’ll be able to get to watch your private home. Or you can too install a system with skilled monitoring for added security and peace of mind.
Home Entry Points and Devices You Can Use to Secure Them
When you’ve made sure that you just’re not signaling to burglars that your private home is vulnerable, the following step is to secure the doors, windows and the opposite entry points to your private home.
- Front door – The front door is certainly one of the foremost entry points to your private home, in fact. Some burglars simply walk up and switch the door handle in hopes that the owner left it unlocked. Installing a doorbell camera permits you to monitor activity and deter burglars, while with a sensible lock you’ll be able to lock your door remotely and get alert notifications.
- First-floor windows – These are easy targets for burglars because they may be accessed from the bottom and are sometimes inadequately secured. For simple monitoring, you’ll be able to install window and glass break sensors that can warn you if anything is amiss.
- Back door – Hidden from view from passersby and neighbors, back doors are also easy entry points for intruders. Secure this door by installing a door sensor which can trigger an alarm when the door is opened. Moreover, an out of doors camera will permit you to monitor this door and deter intruders.
- Garage door and basement – Just like back doors, the garage and basement are also often hidden from neighbors allowing burglars quick access to your private home with a low risk of getting caught. To secure your garage and basement doors, consider installing garage door sensors and indoor/outdoor cameras.
- Unlocked sheds or storage cabinets – While not an entry point, leaving sheds and storage cabinets unlocked gives burglars access to tools they’ll use to interrupt in, resembling a pry bar to open doors or a ladder to access less secure second-story windows.
Break-In Trends in 2024 FAQs
Will depend on the dog. While a smaller dog might warn you once it’s noticed an intruder making an illegal entry, larger dogs may pose more of a threat helping you deter potential home invaders. Nonetheless, burglars could distract dogs of all sizes with toys or treats, especially in case your dog has a friendly disposition. We propose having an alarm system or skilled monitoring to maintain your private home secure, even when you’ve got a dog.
What does homeowners insurance cover?
A homeowners insurance policy typically covers property damage caused during a residential burglary. This includes any broken windows, doors or locks. Theft can also be covered under personal property coverage and can likely replace stolen valuables. Nonetheless, how much money your insurance company gives you to interchange the item will depend upon what specific coverage you’ve got. Actual money value coverage will reimburse you based on the items’ depreciated value, whereas, substitute cost coverage doesn’t.
How do burglars break into homes?
In response to ADT, burglars most frequently break in through the front door (34%), back door (22%) and first-floor window (23%). While many intruders will check to see if the door or window is unlocked, others may use tools resembling a pry bar or hammer to force their way in. To best secure your private home, lock your first floor windows and doors and be certain you store tools after use.