Protecting your Home from Burglary
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Most people only think about making their home secure after a burglary has occurred. According to crime reports compiled by the Federal Bureau of Investigation one out of every six homes will be burglarized this year. It has been stated that burglars only need 60 seconds to break into most homes. FBI statistics claim that only one out of every four burglaries involve forced entry. Most burglars enter homes through an open or unlocked window or door. By making it more difficult for intruders to get into your residence, you can greatly reduce your chances of being robbed. The more a burglar has to work to get into your home, the less chance you have of becoming his victim.
To determine how secure your home is, think like a robber. From the outside of your home, consider how difficult it would be to break in. If you locked yourself out, could you easily break in or climb in through an unlocked window? If you answered yes, then a burglar could answer yes also. Carefully observe any items or objects in your yard that could offer assistance to a would-be thief. Are there any items laying around your home that could actually entice a burglar? A ladder propped up beside your garage could offer easy access to a second floor window. A tool such as a screwdriver or hammer left outside could be used to break a window or pry open a window or door. A privacy fence or large trees and shrubs could provide cover for a burglar while he attempts to break in.
Here are some things that can assist in making your home and your family less likely to be "victims" of a burglary.
A security system can offer at least 4 levels of deterrence:
Yard Sign - Burglar can see it from the street, chooses another house. Nine out of ten convicted burglars agree that they would avoid houses protected by alarm systems.
Warning Decals - If the burglar misses the sign, it can be seen in your windows.
Loud Siren - It will be loud if the intruder makes it in. Neighbors will call police immediately.
24/7 monitoring system - The system will notify the authorities to dispatch to your home if an alarm is received.
Exterior doors should be solid not hollow-core and ensure that the hinges are on the inside. A burglar can easily remove the pins and pull the door out of the frame otherwise.
Secure the windows so that a burglar can not open them from the outside and secure "sliding doors" with a screw or a "charley bar".
Most burglaries occur between 8:00am and 5:00pm, while you are at work. So make sure that all doors and windows are secured before you leave.
Never leave your answering machine with a message stating that you are not at home. "Can't come to the phone" is better.
Use timers and motion detectors on light fixtures and appliances, such as TVs, to give your house a "lived-in look" when you are away.
Report any suspicious person or vehicle to
your police as soon as possible.
There are hundreds of tips which you need to be familiar with in order to protect your house even more. By researching a little you can find that securing your home is not as expensive as one might think. Look in the internet and other police departments websites. Most have excellent information and more important different ideas for special circumstances.
Help Your College Park Police Department Combat Illegal Activity
Call Our Anonymous Tip-Line at
(404) 768-8664
"Give Us Their Names-Not Yours"
The answering machine is checked daily for information. Speak slowly and clearly. You do not have to give your name, phone number or address. There is no "Caller ID" on this line. Unless you identify yourself, we will not know who you are.
Each year in the U.S. there are more than five million home burglaries. Nine out of ten of these crimes are preventable. The risk of being burglarized can be greatly reduced by taking simple steps to make your home more difficult to enter and less enticing to would-be burglars.
Remember the greatest weapons in the fight to prevent burglaries are LIGHT, TIME and NOISE.
LIGHT
TIME
Make it time-consuming for a burglar to break into your home by:
Installing deadbolt locks on all exterior doors.
Installing double key locks in doors which contain glass. This will keep a burglar from being able to open the door simply by breaking the glass and reaching through. (Note: So that everyone can get out in the event of fire, be sure to keep the key in a designated area.)
Place additional locks on all windows and patio doors.
NOISE
Dogs are a good idea, so get a dog! You do not need a large attack dog; even a small dog creates a disturbance that burglars would prefer to avoid.
Consider having someone care for your dogs in your home while you are away, instead of boarding them.
If you can afford it, install an alarm system that will alert neighbors of a burglar's presence. Most system can even summon local police directly. Do not forget to check the Alarm Code.
Other tips to prevent break ins:
Think like a burglar. "Case" your home the way a burglar would and look for easy ways to enter your home. Be sure valuables such as guns, electronic devices and artwork are not visible from the street. Be sure to lock up ladders and tools which could be used to break into your home. Work together with your neighbors and organize a Neighborhood Watch. Let your neighbors know when you will be away for an extended period.
While on vacation, have someone pick up your newspaper and mail, so that they do not accumulate and alert burglars of your absence.
Display your house number conspicuously and have it well illuminated. This will help police and emergency personnel find your home quickly.
JUST IN CASE...
Sometimes, all your efforts will not stop a determined burglar. It is wise to take some precautions that will help you get your property back should a criminal successfully break into your home.
Make a list of your belongings ( be sure to keep receipts, especially for expensive items like stereos and computers). Be sure to update this list periodically.
Keep copies of your inventory list and receipts in a safe deposit box or with a friend. (This is also important in the event of a house fire.)
Photographing and/or videotaping your possessions is a
convenient way to keep a record of what you own.
Engrave your valuables with an identification or mark to deter burglary and to prove ownership should the article be stolen and recovered by the police.
Be sure you have the right insurance coverage. You may need to purchase additional coverage to protect special items like expensive jewelry or rare antiques.
If you do not own your home, seriously consider buying a renter's policy. Your landlord will generally not be responsible for your possessions. Rental coverage is available at competitive rates and these policies also offer important protection against liability and losses due to fire or storm damage.
