The Truth About Burglaries

11-12-2020

When thinking about installing a home security system, you want to plan things out carefully. If you set up your system wrong, you may not be protecting the right things or preventing burglars from entering your home. Here are some facts that go against some common myths with respect to home burglaries. The numbers quoted here are from the FBI database on burglary.

Myth: Break-ins Happen at Night

Not true they happen most often during the day. 40% of break-ins occur during the day. Only 35% of break-ins occur at night. They will most likely break in when nobody’s home. Thieves commonly watch first and if they notice that nobody’s home all day, but you are home all night, they will break-in during the daytime.

Myth: You Will Be Home When They Break-In

Not if they are smart. The last thing any burglar wants is a confrontation. They don’t want to get shot, beat up, or arrested. They want to get away with the loot before you even know they were there. That’s easiest when you are not home. They want to get in and out as quickly as possible. The average burglary lasts only 8 minutes.

Myth: Burglars Break in Through the Windows

Not true. They use doors more often. 60% of burglaries occur via a door (the most common entry point is the front door). 36% of break-ins through a door happen because the door was left opened or unlocked! Always lock your doors and check them every time you leave. This is when those fancy new electronic door locks can come in handy because you can lock them from anywhere you can get online with your phone. Some of them will even alert you if the door is left open or unlocked.

When they do come in through a window, burglars commonly break the windowpane. 61% of window break-ins include breaking glass. Glass break sensors can alert you when someone does break a window and so should be considered if you think burglars may enter your home in this fashion.

It’s unlikely that burglars will enter through a basement or a garage, with only 4% and 9% respectively of burglaries happening through those routes. Nevertheless, it’s important to keep your garage door closed. Anything you can do to make it harder for burglars is a good thing.

Myth: Burglars Steal the Most Valuable Things You Own

You may think that burglars are after your expensive jewelry, your guns, or your valuable documents, but they aren’t. In fact, they probably don’t even know you have that stuff. Common burglars most often steal electronics - TVs, laptops, iPads, game systems, and anything else they think they can sell quickly and easily. Rare art, expensive jewelry, valuable documents, and things like that require time and expertise to sell. The guy who uses a crowbar to break into your house in broad daylight isn’t going to mess around looking for fancy high-end antiques or trying to break into your gun safe. Firearms are only stolen 2% of the time.

Get Professional Advice

The best way to make sure you are covered appropriately when you get a new home security system is by bringing in experts who know what kind of crimes are happening in your area and how best to protect you from them. We like Affordable Home Security. They have the best and widest variety of home security systems available anywhere