Burglar protection

Law enforcement officials estimate 2.5 million burglaries occur every year, mainly during the summer and holiday months. The easiest way to protect yourself from burglars is to take preventative measures. These measures, which can be as simple as lighting schemes or as complex as security alarms, vary according to your plans and financial capabilities.

Going on Vacation

A timer, which turns lamps and lighting on and off at set times, is inexpensive and available at most major retail outlets. Simply plug it in and set your lighting scheme. In addition to conserving energy – you don’t have to keep the lights on constantly, the lights may fool burglars into thinking someone is home.

Another idea is to make your home “look” occupied. Give your neighbors permission to park in your driveway and to use your trash can if you will be away for extended periods. Ask them to pick up notices, fliers or deliveries left on your porch. Be sure to leave a phone number so they can, or the police, can reach you just in case.

At Home

When you purchased your computer, what did you do with the boxes? Throw them in your garbage can? This is an open invitation to burglars, announcing that you have new (and probably expensive) equipment in your home. The best thing do with boxes like these is to fold them and then cut them down, or take them to a recycling center.

Investing in motion detector lights for your garage or backyard area can be a worthy investment. Look for lights that allow you to set the sensitivity (the light is of little use if passing leaves set it off) and place them where maximum light will reach entry points, such as a back door or car doors.

Keep in mind that just because you’re at home doesn’t mean you’re safe from a burglar. Truly desperate criminals have been known to sneak in an upstairs window, rob your upper floors of all valuables and then sneak out, undetected. Keep all windows and doors locks when you’re home as well as when you’re at work. Be sure to keep valuable items, like your purse or extra car keys, awake from unlocked doors. It’s quite simple for a thief to open the front door, snatch your purse or keys and be off while you’re singing to the kitchen radio.

Similarly, avoid placing spare keys outside, especially anywhere near the door. If someone needs a spare key, make other arrangements, such as leaving the key with a neighbor or in a strategic place in the backyard. Invest in a deadbolt for every outer door; experts and law enforcement officials agree that deadbolt locks are the hardest to break and one of the cheapest security investments you can make.

Make sure all entries into your home – windows, doors and the garage area – are secure. If you use an automatic garage door opener and will be gone for a few days, place a large box or other obstacle in front of the door (on the inside). Because the opener’s infrared signal sees the obstacle, it will automatically trigger a non-opening command. Initially designed to keep garage doors from crushing children and pets, this useful feature can also help prevent burglaries. Another idea is to disengage the electricity to the garage door altogether.

Consider investing in an alarm system if you are truly concerned about safety, particularly if you live in a high-crime area or homes in your neighborhood have been recently victimized. Alarm systems range from simple beeping alarms to complex systems that alert the police department of an intruder. Keep in mind, however, that even with the relative safety of an alarm system, you still need to take standard, common-sense precautions for home safety.

Finally, make sure your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance is current and your home inventory is up-to-date and safely stored away. You’ll need these documents should the unthinkable happen. A good spot for an inventory sheet, as well as other valuable documents like wills and court papers, is a fire-proof safe (hide it well) or a plastic pouch in your freezer.

If You’re a Victim

There’s nothing more frightening than coming home from a wonderful vacation to discover someone has been in your house and stolen your things. Because burglars are rarely considerate, your house may have considerable damage to it as well as being empty of your possessions.

The first thing you need to do is call the police. Use the neighbor’s telephone if possible – you don’t want to take the chance that the burglar might still be in your home. Don’t move or touch anything until the police have had a chance to investigate and check for fingerprints or other clues.

After the police have taken a report and given you the okay to start picking up, contact your insurance company. They will ask you for a list of stolen things; locate your inventory sheet and start from there. Be as accurate as possible and be sure to account for any new items you may have acquired but not yet added to your inventory list.

Alert your neighbors of the break-in as soon as possible. They will want to be on the lookout and take safety precautions in case the offender takes a liking to your neighborhood.

You don’t have to spend a ton of money to have a good security setup. All it takes a little bit of time and caution!