Is Your Home a Burglar’s Dream-Come True?

Its been said by some people that they feel that their "homes are their castles", and most don't think that the same type of robberies, that they see on TV, could ever happen to them.



However, the reality of the situation is that, it can and DOES happen to good people in all walks of life and at all income levels.



In most cases, its been found that a thief simply looks for homes or businesses that appear to have easy access and exit, signs that the premises are not secured, and either cash or other valuables onsite.



Here are some additional items that burglars may look for when choosing a home or business to burglarize:

wireless home security alarm system or video surveillance.

Homes that most generally look as though no one is at home.

Homes with windows that are open or with doors that appear to be open.

Doors that have only a screen, instead of a glass front, as is typical in the summer months.

Homes or businesses where tools and other valuable objects are left out in the open such as lawn equipment and ATV’s.

Yard ornaments that contain fake rocks,etc where spare keys may be hidden for the family’s convenience.

Basement windows in a home are also an easy entry point as these are usually simply covered by a screen that could easily be slit for easy-access into the home.

Exterior locks, that appear as though they do not include a dead bolt, as these are typically easier for them to "pick" in

order to gain entrance.



The more experienced burglar may watch a potential house for days in order to get the pattern of its owners so as to know when it is safest for them to enter.



In addition, many homes are vandalized while the occupants are vacationing, as burglars can immediately spot telltale signs such as the grass growing taller than usual, or an overstuffed mailbox.



How to Protect Yourself:



With just a few simple adjustments, you can make it much more difficult for a stranger to burglarize your home or business. First, if at all possible, always have at least one person staying inside the home while the owners are gone for an extended period of time. If that is not possible, then be sure to at least have your yard mowed and have someone pickup your mail.

Other simple ways of making your home less of a target for a burglar include:

Always make sure that basement windows have bars over them.

Install home surveillance systems and place signs throughout your yard to alert the burglar of the >wireless home security system.

Always have locks on outside doors that include a deadbolt in order to make it more difficult for them to gain access.

Never leave a spare key anywhere outside your home.



Regardless of what measures you attempt to use, it is always a good idea to have a neighborhood watch in your area to monitor for any strange vehicles and people. This can be reported to the correct authorities for further investigation and provides everyone an additional level of safety that will make everyone sleep better at night.