How to Improve Home Security and Safety

Recent reports from the FBI and the Council on Criminal Justice (CCJ) indicate that home burglary rates have dropped in the United States. The FBI Crime Data Explorer shows a 7.6% decrease in burglary for 2023 vs. 2022. The CCJ’s Crime Trends in U.S. Cities: Mid-Year 2024 Update shows a 34% decrease in residential burglaries for the first six months of 2024 compared to the same period in 2019.

These trends may be moving in the right direction, but with nearly 840,000 burglaries reported in 2023, this still equates to one burglary every 37.6 seconds.

Fortunately, homeowners can significantly decrease their chances of falling prey to burglars.

Don’t Invite Burglars to Your Home

Burglars see opportunity when you post about your vacation, out-of-town trips or upcoming events you plan to attend on social media. You might as well post a sign that says, “No one’s home, so come on in.” Post your vacation photos and graduation party highlights when you get back home.

Make your home look occupied when you’re away, especially if you’ll be gone for days or weeks.

• Use timers or smart bulbs to turn lights off and on at night.
• Hire someone to mow your lawn during warm months.
• Pause delivery of your mail and any newspaper subscriptions.

In short, don’t advertise your empty home. If you’ll be gone a long time, have someone house-sit or park their car in your driveway.

Take Steps to Protect Your Home

Burglars tend to look for houses that are vulnerable. Bushes that hide someone trying to break in a door or pry open a window are an invitation. So is a key “hidden” in an obvious place. If your locks are flimsy or cheap builder-grade units, upgrade to something sturdier.

Other things you can do to discourage would-be burglars include the following:

• Lock the doors and windows. In 2023, 37.5% of burglars accessed homes through “unlawful entry” rather than “forcible entry.” The criminals simply entered through unlocked doors, windows and garages. Always lock your home, even when leaving for short periods. Consider installing smart locks that automatically engage after a certain time.
• Change locks and access codes. If you’re not the first owner, change the security codes on garage doors or door keypads as soon as you move in. Surprisingly, studies show that up to half of all homeowners don’t change or rekey the locks when moving in. Who knows how many spare keys the previous homeowner handed out to family, friends or neighbors?
• Install a security system. According to the FBI’s 2023 statistics, homes without security systems were 300% more likely to be targeted by burglars. Today, security systems are widely available for far less than the losses from an average burglary (estimated between $1,600 and $2,600). Some can also include sensors that communicate alerts of fires, glass breakage, floods and other potential disasters. Even an outdoor security camera or lights with motion detectors can scare off potential burglars.
• Close blinds and curtains. Don’t make it easy for potential thieves to scope out your home’s layout and any high-value possessions. Most burglaries in 2023 took place within 10 minutes. Thieves typically know exactly what they’re looking for.
• Use exterior lighting and defensive landscaping. A well-lit exterior will make thieves think twice before targeting a home. Consider trimming back thick shrubs that could shield an intruder while opening a window or door.

And if you have items that are irreplaceable or have a lot of emotional meaning, think about buying a home safe that’s bolted down or too heavy for a thief to carry.

Seek Safety Help from Experts

In many areas, the police or other government agencies may do free or low-cost home security audits, or provide unbiased checklists for a do-it-yourself audit. The NYPD website offers extensive resources for crime prevention and safety.

One strong ally that can also provide peace of mind is insurance. Whether own or rent your home, insurance to protect your possessions is easy to obtain. You can also buy riders for specialized items, such as jewelry, furs, guns or collectibles, which typically aren’t covered in a standard homeowners’ or renters’ policy.

A knowledgeable insurance broker or agent can help you find the policy that’s best for you, as well as potential savings by having more than one type of insurance policy with a single company.

We hope this article helps you exercise extra precautions to improve your home’s security and safety. If you have any questions about home insurance or your current insurance policy, or if you would like a free insurance review, please call us at 877-576-5200.