Common Burglary Entry Points and How to Prevent a Home Invasion

It’s terrifying to consider, but according to the US Department of Justice, an estimated 3.7 million burglaries happen each year in the United States. In 28% of the cases, a family member was present during the break-in. But even more surprisingly, The FBI reported in 2010 that 33.2% of reported burglaries were unlawful entries (without force) and that victims suffered an estimated 4.6 billion in property losses. A vast majority of these thefts occurred within residential properties.

To avoid not only significant property loss and potential damage, but also to prevent the scarring psychological traumas that may accompany a home invasion, it makes strong sense to protect your home, family, and valuables from burglars.

5 Tips For Keeping Would-be Thieves out of your Home:

Lock the Front Door

Honestly, it’s almost that simple. A shocking number of home invasions occurred as a result of an unlocked front door. And if you’re the type of Nashvillian who religiously locks your front door, but keeps a spare key under the mat on your front porch, it’s time to rethink that strategy. Invest in a solid front door, a hefty deadbolt, a strong strike plate, or a high tech lock. Or, better yet an alarm system.
 

Secure the Back Door, Side Doors, and any Sliding Patio Doors

Doors are the portal to your home and burglars won’t stop at a locked front door. Lock and secure all of your doors. Sliding glass doors are particularly susceptible to break-ins, as standard locks can be easily picked. For all side and secondary doors, check the deadbolts and strike plates. If these doors aren’t frequently used, install a sliding interior bolt lock for added security. For sliding glass doors, cut a wooden board or dowel to fit the interior track and jam the door shut whenever it’s not in use.
 

Close the Garage Door

We’ve all done it. In that last-minute dash to get the kids to school before the principal starts shaking her finger, or to slide behind your desk at the stroke of 9:00, it’s hard to wait for a garage door to close. And sometimes they don’t. It happens. And watchful home invaders view an open garage door like an embossed invitation. Always make sure the door connecting your home to your garage is secured, and if you find you frequently forget to close the overhead door, install a timer that automatically closes the door for you.
 

Latch Your Windows

Windows are nearly as enticing to burglars as front doors. And because there are typically far more windows than doors, they present a lovely opportunity for residential thieves. Even if you’ve conscientiously closed locked all your windows before leaving for the day, these glass portals may be very easy for criminals to shatter. Installing tamper-resistant reinforced glass, secondary locking mechanisms, window bars, or window alarms, are all great ways to keep crooks out.
 

Tend to Your Garden and Leave a Light On

Second floor windows, like the chocolate-covered marshmallow in your Valentine’s sampler, are easily forgotten. Conscientious homeowners leave no latch unlocked, but accidents happen. There’s a reason, of course, that cat-burglars are so named: they like to climb on things and sneak around under the cover of darkness. To cut down on potential access points and eliminate criminal camouflage, keep your trees well-maintained and trimmed away from your windows. If you plan on being out of town or away from your home for a prolonged period or during the evening hours, install motion lights around the perimeter of your home and schedule interiors lights to come on automatically. 

For affordable peace of mind and superior protection for your home, contact NCA Alarms.