Christmas time is here which means lots of nice presents and empty homes when you travel to see loved ones.  Criminals also know about the presents and they are looking for every chance they can find to steal from you.  FBI statistics show that a burglary occurs every 15.4 seconds in the United States.  A burglary is defined as a non-confrontational property crime that happens when you are away from your home. 

    Most burglaries occur during the daytime when a majority of homeowners are at their job or school.  Burglars will often look for the easiest home to gain access too simply because it is less “work” for them.  If the criminal can find an unlocked door or window it attracts a lot less attention than having to use force to gain access.  Hopefully by reading this article you will be able to help secure your home so you don’t become a burglary victim. 

    The first thing you should consider when securing your home are the doors and the locks you are using.  You should use a metal or solid core door for all outside exit/entry points.  Be sure to use a quality, heavy-duty, deadbolt lock with a throw bolt for added protection.  The strike plate on the door frame should have at least four 3 inch screws to securely anchor it into the frame.  You should also consider installing a peephole with a wide-angle view so you can see who is at your door before opening them. 

    If you have a sliding glass door then be aware that they could possibly be forced open by a criminal.  One of the easiest, and cheapest, ways to overcome this problem is to insert a wooden stick into the door track.  By doing this it keeps the criminal from being able to easily force the door open.  Sliding glass doors are also a good place to put stickers such as “Beware of Dog”, a large alarm company decal, or a Neighborhood Watch sign.

    Unlocked windows are the most common entry point for a burglar.  An open window that is easily accessible is almost an invitation for a criminal and it could be the main reason a burglar selects your home.  You can use anti-lift devices to prevent windows from being able to be lifted out.  These can consist of wooden sticks for horizontal windows and through-the-frame pins for vertical windows.  Always take into consideration though that window blocks should be capable of easy removal from the inside in case of a fire or other emergency. 

    Perhaps one of the best things to help prevent a burglary is to be a good neighbor.  Good neighbors look out for each other and they watch your home for you while you’re away.  You should get to know all of your adjacent neighbors and agree to watch out for each other.  While you’re on vacation they can pick up your newspapers or mail and you can do the same for them.  Starting a Neighborhood Watch Program is a way for your whole neighborhood to help protect each other and your belongings. 

    When your away on vacation, or any extended period of time, it is a good idea to show signs of activity in your home even when your not there.  One of the easiest ways to do this is to install an inexpensive light timer in your home.  This can actually be used on a daily basis and not solely while you’re on vacation.  The pattern of when the lights come on and go off should mimic real life and use realistic times.  Another good use of light is on the exterior of your home.  Motion sensor lights on your home are a valuable tool that activate for short periods of time when motion is detected outside.  Your exterior lighting should allow for at least a100 feet of visibility so you can clearly see anybody that might be there. 

    Home alarm systems deter burglaries because they increase the chance the criminal might be caught.  They also act as a deterrent because most criminals are too scared of taking the chance on committing the crime if they think there might be an alarm.  You have to make sure the alarm system is properly installed, programmed, and maintained for it to be effective.  Signs and stickers in your yard or on windows help convey a message to the criminals that you are protected and maybe they should look elsewhere to commit their crime. 

    Another precaution to take is to make sure you keep all receipts for expensive items and record all the serial numbers off of them along with the make and model.  You can also take digital photographs of all valuables and put them on a CD or other storage device.  Store the CD in a safe deposit box or with a relative so you always have access to it in case something happens to your home.  If you get any large gifts that come in big boxes you should also consider how you dispose of the box.  A large LCD TV box sitting by the end of your driveway is just announcing what you have in your home.  Consider cutting the box up so that it fits into your trash container and doesn’t become a billboard for your belongings. 

    One of the best ways to protect your family and belongings is to make your home is more difficult to enter and a less enticing target for criminals.  Hopefully by following these tips you can help ensure you and your family have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.  Stay safe out there.