According to the FBI, in 2012 there were an estimated 2,103,787 burglaries; of these, the total number of residential burglaries was a whopping 1,567,058. That translates into one home burglarized every 20 seconds!<\/p>\n
Approximately 60% of burglars used forcible entry to gain access to a home. More than 30% of burglars entered residences through an unlocked door, window and other opening without force. Typically, burglars spend less than 60 seconds breaking into a home. The more difficult it is to break in, the more likely a burglar will look for easier pickings down the street.<\/p>\n
Facts you should know:<\/strong><\/p>\n Do you live in one of the top 10 U.S. cities on the FBI\u2019s 2011 Uniform Crime Report most burglarized list? Check them out:<\/p>\n Yes, crime is rampant and thieves are working hard to rip you off. So, what steps can you take to put the odds in your favor of not becoming the latest statistic?<\/p>\n Here\u2019s a checklist that will make you a harder (and less desirable) target:<\/p>\n Secure Your Castle Doors<\/strong> Windows<\/strong> Yard<\/strong> Mailbox<\/strong> Other Household Tips<\/strong> And last, but not least, make sure you\u2019ve got good homeowner\u2019s<\/a> or renter\u2019s insurance<\/a> to recoup your losses, if despite your best efforts, you do fall victim to these opportunists.<\/p>\n Have you been a burglary victim? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" According to the FBI, in 2012 there were an estimated 2,103,787 burglaries; of these, the total number of residential burglaries was a whopping 1,567,058. That translates into one home burglarized every 20 seconds! Approximately 60% of burglars used forcible entry to gain access to a home. More than 30% of burglars entered residences through an […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1892,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[701],"tags":[366,387,518],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.costulessdirect.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1890"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.costulessdirect.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.costulessdirect.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.costulessdirect.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.costulessdirect.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1890"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.costulessdirect.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1890\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.costulessdirect.com\/blog\/wp-json\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.costulessdirect.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1890"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.costulessdirect.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1890"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.costulessdirect.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1890"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}\n
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\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Always lock all outside doors and windows before you leave the house or go to bed.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Every external door should be secured with a sturdy, well-installed deadbolt lock with a minimum of 1 1\/2″ throw.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0All doors should be metal or solid, 1 3\/4″ hardwood. They should fit tightly in their frames and the hinge pins should be on the inside.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0If you have just moved into a new residence, have the locks changed.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Change locks immediately if your keys are lost or stolen.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Install a peephole or wide-angle viewer in all entry doors so you can see who is at the door without opening it.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Keep the garage door closed and locked even when home.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Secure sliding glass doors with commercially available locks. In addition, wedge a dowel or stick in the track to keep anyone from prying the door open.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Put lights and a radio on timers to create the illusion someone is home. Leave shades, blinds and curtains in normal positions.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Secure double-hung windows using key locks or by sliding a bold or nail drilled at a downward angle in the top corners of the inside sash and partway through the outside sash. The hole should be large enough so the nail or screw slides out freely in case of an emergency.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Don’t install bars on the windows. Adding bars to windows makes it very difficult to get out in case of a fire.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Keep your yard well maintained. Arrange for your lawn to be mowed if you are going away for an extended time. Store ladders and tools in a locked area when not using them.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Keep gate entrances padlocked. The best padlocks to use are case-hardened steel with at least a 9\/32″ shackle. The hasp should also be made of hardened steel, mounted with the heaviest bolts and screws.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Have adequate exterior lighting. Use a motion-sensor light for backyards.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Don’t hide keys in mailboxes, planters or under doormats. Burglars look in these hiding places. If you have a trusted neighbor, give them a key.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Don’t allow daily deliveries of mail, newspapers or flyers to build up while you are away. Make arrangements with the Post Office to hold your mail, or have a friend or neighbor regularly pick them up.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0If you\u2019ve just bought a new stereo or television, breakdown the box and place it in the garbage bin \u2013 don\u2019t leave it sitting on the curb where everyone can see what your newest toy is.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Put yourself in a burglar\u2019s shoes and walk around the outside of your house to see how visible expensive items are with the curtains open.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Homes without a home-security\/alarm system have a significantly higher break-in rate, so invest in an alarm system to protect your home.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Get to know your neighbors. They can keep an eye on your house when you are away. And start a neighborhood watch group with your local law enforcement agency.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Maintain an inventory of all valuables, including serial numbers. Take photos or videos of them \u2013 handy for reporting claims to your insurance broker<\/a><\/p>\n