While the number of burglaries has declined most years in the last few decades, still more than 2 million burglaries were reported in the U.S. in 2012. This is still a very large number, which is why it’s a good idea to take some measures that can help prevent your house from being burglarized. A few simple to implement tips can already stave off many burglars.
DON’T MAKE IT LOOK APPEALING FOR BURGLARS
Most burglaries happen during daytime when people are at work. To prevent your home from looking like a good target, make sure that you don’t leave any expensive items in sight, either outside of your house or inside. Put away expensive items such as bikes, gardening tools, etc. and close the curtains or rearrange your living area a bit so expensive electronics such as a flatscreen TV can’t be seen from outside your house.
You can also try to trick burglars into thinking that someone’s home by leaving the radio on outside, or leaving some lights on at night. Another good trick is to put up a fake home security box/sign. Many burglars won’t even try to see if it’s real.
LOCK IT UP
While this might sounds obvious, statistics show that more than 40% of burglaries don’t involve forced entry. So check all the windows and doors in your house if they lock properly and make it a habit to lock them all before going out. Also don’t leave a key out. Instead leave it with a trusted neighbor.
SECURE YOUR HOUSE
If you still have old, less secure locks on your doors, replace them with deadbolt locks. Secure sliding doors with locks at the top and bottom of the doors. Hollow doors should be replaced with solid wood or fiberglass ones. Try to replace any outside doors that have windows in them.
If you feel like the investment is worth it to you, you can think about installing a home security system. Prices for home security vary greatly depending on how complex and advanced the system is, so shop around a bit to figure out what you need.
Burglary charges are very serious, and you don’t want to be innocently convicted for them based on circumstantial evidence or no real evidence at all. If you’ve been accused of burglary, contact The Kyle Law Firm today for a free consultation. We are here to help you out.
