IS YOUR HOME A PRIME TARGET FOR THIEVES?
You might think your home is safe from burglars, but you could be very wrong. The idea that thieves target homes only in expensive neighborhoods is unfounded. Whether you have expensive artwork, cars, or jewelry at home doesn’t matter. What most burglars are looking for today is quick and easy access and a fast get-away. Homes near highways give a thief a quick escape route. Also homes located in the middle of a development or street, as opposed to a corner lot, are easier for the bad guys to get inside unseen. Another misconception is that thieves break into homes in the dead of night. In reality most burglaries occur during the daytime, when people are at work or school. Burglars looking for a quick hit will watch a house and make their move when no one is home. They might also ring the doorbell to check if anyone is home before breaking in. 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. Graduation, wedding and other celebratory banners and balloons are also tip-offs that cash and other valuables might be inside of a house.
WHAT ARE BURGLARS LOOKING FOR?
Cash, cash and cash. It’s easy to grab and there generally is no problem spending cash. Medications are also a big item for burglars these days. Drugs, especially opioids, can be sold netting the thief a good profit. Jewelry is also a target, as it is small, easy to carry and can be disposed of rather easily.
CAN YOU MAKE YOUR HOME LESS INVITING TO CRIMINALS?
Aside from locking doors and windows and keeping landscaping away from access points, an alarm system and security cameras are invaluable safety nets. 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.
Some people install motion-activated lights as a deterrent. While they are helpful at night, they are no use during daylight hours when most residential burglaries occur.
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. 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. Delco Alarm Systems can customize a security system to fit your needs and budget. Don’t become the target of a burglar. Contact Delco Alarm Systems at 610-494-9100 for information or a free estimate.