Top 5 Ways to Prevent a Home Break-in

According to the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program's 2018 statistics, 7.2 million property crime offenses occurred across the United States that year. When potential intruders target your home for their next invasion, their chances of getting away with it are in their favor; only 13% of burglaries are ever solved. As a homeowner, you must be steadfast in your efforts to deter burglars and prevent home break-ins. Common sense strategies combined with modern technology reduce your chances of becoming a victim. Let's look at ways to keep your home and your family safe.

Always Lock Your Windows and Doors

Long gone are the days when it was okay to leave doors and windows unlocked, so always practice due diligence in locking both. Still, human nature sometimes dictates that we forget to lock up, leaving easy access for would-be thieves, which is why 43.3% of home burglaries in 2018 did not involve forcible entry.

Smart locks can prevent second-guessing once you leave home and offer peace of mind if you or a loved one forgets to lock up. Plus keyless deadbolts tend to be more tamper-proof than conventional locks which can be picked. These electronic locks easily integrate into your home security system and operate via a mobile app.

Set up a Home Security System

As many as 83% of burglars specifically look to see if a home has a security system, and 60% of burglars change their mind if one is present. Unfortunately, only 17% of homes have them in place. Not having a home security system as a layer of security against burglars can make your home up to 300% more likely to be the target of a break-in. Adding a doorbell camera to a smart home security system can be an even bigger deterrent and provides footage that can be useful in identifying suspects.

Invest in Smart Lighting

Thieves love to operate under the cover of darkness so their activities are less likely to be detected by neighbors and others. Smart lighting can make things more difficult for bad guys both inside and outside the home. Statistics have shown that a great number of burglaries occur when thieves believe homes are unoccupied. Investing in smart lighting can help give the appearance that someone is home, even when they're not. With smart lighting, you can operate your home's lighting system remotely from wherever you are or program your lighting to turn on and off at preset intervals. This can help you make your home look occupied even when you're away traveling or going out, and prevents you from having to fumble for your keys in the dark.

Keep a Car in the Driveway

Whenever possible, keep a car parked in your driveway instead of the garage. When thieves see a vehicle outside they might assume someone is home and skip your house for an easier target. If you're going on vacation, you can ask if a neighbor is willing to park their car in your driveway while you're gone. Of course, if you're more worried about the car being broken into, consider an outdoor security camera instead.

Ask a Neighbor to Check in on Your Home

Get to know your neighbors and ask them to keep an eye on your home when you're not around. Neighbors who know when something's amiss can be vital to noticing suspicious characters in the neighborhood and reporting them to the police. 

If you're going to be away, see if your neighbor will pick up your mail so would-be bad guys don't see an overflowing mailbox and make your home their next target. You can also request a hold mail to keep your letters and packages safe.

With vigilance, planning and a smart security system, you can safeguard your home and the people you love from unseemly burglars.