In a Safe House

by Jessica Groach
About Home Security Columnist

A burglary happens approximately every 15 seconds in the U.S. Without realizing it, you could be inviting thieves to your doorstep. The good news is that you can protect yourself with some simple home security measures.


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Are you savvy about home security? Did you know that:

• About 30% of burglars enter without the use of force, often through unlocked windows or doors?
• Nearly 66% of burglaries are residential, and of those, 62% take place during the daytime?
• Only 13% of reported burglaries are solved, and only 15% of stolen property is recovered?
• About 30% of private homes have home security systems, and that homes without them are two to three times more likely to be robbed?

Defending Your Domicile

Most burglars take less than two minutes to enter a home, and after three, most give up. An alarm system is great burglar prevention, but here are some other deterrents:

• Make sure all your doors have peepholes, so you can see who's knocking.
• If you leave town, have a neighbor house-sit. A dark house with a week's supply of newspapers in the lawn announces "Nobody's home!"
• Never leave a key outside. Give your spare to a trustworthy neighbor.
• NEVER leave empty electronics boxes outside. It tells burglars there's something inside worth stealing.
• Keep doors and windows in your home locked at all times. Most burglaries happen in the summer, when people open their windows.
• Use picket or chain link fences, so neighbors can still see suspicious activity at your house.
• Keep walkways and entrances well lit. Thieves hide in dark corners.
• Get a dog; they're great theft-deterrents.
• Get involved with a neighborhood watch in your area.

Don't be a target for burglars. Your home is your castle; guard it that way.

About the Author

Jessica Groach, a new homeowner herself, is a freelance writer and writing instructor at the University of Nevada, Reno. Her work has appeared in various lifestyle and business publications, including a Warner Business Book, and she has seven years' experience in advertising and television production.

Sources

• Burglary Prevention Tips