It may surprise you to learn that every year, there are about 2,000,000 home break-ins reported, targeting renters and homeowners alike. With burglary rates this high, it helps to inform yourself about burglaries so that you can learn how to protect yourself. Getting a home security system in Wilmington, DE, is often the best way to go, since you’re three times more likely to be broken into without one.
When They Happen
While statistics say that there is a home burglary in this country on average every 13 seconds, rates tend to be higher during the summer. Of course, a residential security alarm in Wilmington, DE, can help scare off burglars even when you’re away. It also helps to know the people in your neighborhood and communicate with them. That way, they’re more likely to notice and report suspicious behavior around your house, especially if you agree to house-sit for each other.
What Is Targeted
Most burglars these days are looking for cash and for small items that they can steal quickly and sell easily. This includes jewelry, guns, and small electronics, though they may grab larger items if they see the opportunity. Sometimes, unfortunately, people also become targets if they run into the burglar in the act of committing a crime. In fact, a third of all residential assaults in the United States happen during burglaries. To prepare for this, not only should you get residential security systems in Wilmington, but you should also inventory your belongings, take photographs, and write down the make, model, and serial number of whatever you can. Leave a copy of this list somewhere outside your home, like a bank box or with someone you trust.
How to Safeguard Your Home
There are several steps you can take to lower your chances of becoming a target. Home security systems in Wilmington, DE, are one of the most effective steps, and you can also ask security professionals to do a walk-around of your home and offer other personalized suggestions. In general, though, you can scare away some burglars by providing sufficient exterior lighting around your home and by reinforcing your doors and windows, which are almost always a burglar’s point of entry. Despite the amount of technology available to the general public, modern burglars still generally rely on simple tools like hammers, screwdrivers, and crowbars to break into buildings. That means you should reinforce your doors and locks (paying special attention to glass doors), and make sure your windows also have locks, not just latches. If you can prevent the window from opening wide enough to allow human access, so much the better.