Home invasions are a very serious issue that every homeowner faces. Statistics show that around 2 million homes succumb to home invasions every year, which is cause for concern. Thankfully, it’s national crime prevention week, and we’re here to help prevent our readers becoming victims of burglary. Here are the top 5 ways to prevent break-ins!
Clear Your Yard – A lot of people tend to leave their possessions out in the yard or in their driveways, such as bikes, lawn equipment or boxes from recently purchased items. This tends to grab the attention of potential thieves and can give them extra motivation to see what other nice things you have in your home. Make sure you put everything away after you’re finished using it to prevent this from happening!
Lock It Down – This may seem like a no-brainer, but with our hectic busy schedules these days, it’s easy for us to forget to lock a door or turn on an alarm. Studies show that 40 percent of home invasions actually occur through an unlocked door or window, so it still remains a common means of entry. Make sure you double-check every door before you leave and even look into installing stronger locks to ensure extra protection.
Don’t Leave a Spare – Homeowners love to leave spare keys under mats or flowerpots in case of emergencies. However, this is a very risky move, because that’s likely the first thing a burglar will check upon invading your premises. All it takes is for someone to watch you retrieve the key and they have easy access to your home next time you’re away.
Neighborly Help – For some reason, people don’t interact and spend time with their neighbors as much as they used to. Having a tight-knit neighborhood is a key factor in preventing home invasions. For one, you know everyone’s face so strangers stick out more and it can lead to neighborhood watch programs, which can be extremely efficient at preventing crime.
Lights & Other Tricks – While you’re out at work or running errands, it’s a smart move to turn on lights or a television set in order to create the illusion that someone’s home. Invest in some fluorescent bulbs to save money on electricity for this tactic. Also, you can purchase and display certain home security signs, such as “Beware of Dog” or “24 Hour Surveillance” that will make burglars think twice about breaking in.
Before putting these helpful tips to good use, make sure that all of your insurance needs are up-to-date. Give us a call at 1-800-Thanks-Al to have an agent review your policy to confirm that your auto insurance has the right amount of coverage for your family and your needs. We can also ensure that you are getting the best rate for your policy. You might even qualify for additional discounts, especially if you have your home insured through us!