IS YOUR HOME A FREE PASS TO BURGLARS?
When recent college graduate Evelyn walked into her parent’s home one afternoon, she gasped at what she saw. A large screen from a back window was tossed across the dining room table. Chair cushions were thrown about and drawers were upside down on the floor. Even though she had been gone for less than two hours, burglars had cleaned out the place. All of the cash gifts she received for her graduation were gone, as was her mother’s jewelry, electronics and other valuables.
While the number of burglaries in Pennsylvania has dropped significantly over the past decade, the stats don’t make it any less traumatic if you are the victim. The police officer who responded to Evelyn’s 911 call said her home was likely targeted by the thieves. Graduation banners and balloons and a large family celebration were the likely tip-offs that cash and other valuables were inside.
CAN YOU MAKE YOUR HOME LESS INVITING TO CRIMINALS?
While the burglars who hit Evelyn’s parents’ home were never apprehended, the family learned their lesson. They took numerous steps to make it much less likely they’d be victimized again. Aside from locking doors and windows, an alarm system and security cameras are invaluable safety nets. Delco Alarm Systems has a host of new products to assist homeowners in securing their residences.
You can customize a system to meet your needs and budget. Many people install motion-activated lights as a deterrent. While they are helpful at night, they are no use during daylight hours when 60 percent of residential burglaries occur. Thieves looking for a quick hit will strike during the day and on weekdays when most people are not home. Burglars will avoid occupied homes and oftentimes will ring the doorbell to check if anyone is home before breaking in. Window locks and deadbolts on doors are good safety features, but they have to be used. Open windows and unlocked doors are an open invitation to a burglar. Always make sure your home is locked up at night and when you leave.
THE BEST HOME SECURITY PROTECTION
Police know one of the best burglar deterrents is an alarm system. A monitored system with contacts on ground-floor windows and doors will activate if they are opened. A triggered alarm will immediately sound and notify the central monitoring station and dispatch police. The noise alone oftentimes sends a burglar scurrying away. Also, most burglars will bypass a home that has a security system, choosing instead to hit an unmonitored house.
If you live in an area where neighbors can see people coming and going from your house, it is less likely to be burglarized. But if your home is secluded or surrounded by shrubs, privacy fencing or has obscured entryways, it is more likely to become a target of a burglar. Another security tool is a doorbell camera, which will alert you when someone is at your door. A home where the occupants are obviously on vacation is a burglar’s dream-come-true. The longer a house is unoccupied, the better for the bad guy. A burglar alarm system is the best defense in this case.
If you live in an area where burglaries have occurred, your home is at a higher risk of also being targeted. Also, if your home has been burglarized, the criminals may return. Familiar with the home’s layout, a thief may return if they got a good payoff the first time. They might also want to grab items that were replaced by insurance after the first break-in. The best policy is to protect your home and family before a burglar strikes.
Contact Delco Alarm Systems at 610-494-9100 for information or a free estimate.