Burglar Proof: A DIY Guide to Protecting Your Home

BURGLAR PROO A DIY Guide to Protecting Your Home (and everything in it!) Enjoy the peace of mind that comes from knowing your home is protected without the monthly fees. BURGLARIES BY THE NUMBER$ EVERY 15.03 SECONDS, A BURGLARY TAKES PLACE IN THE UNITED STATES. AVERAGE DOLLAR LOSS PER BURGLARY: $2,230. RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES ACCOUNT FOR 74.5% OF ALL BURGLARY OFFENSES. WANT TO KEEP YOUR HOME SAFE AND PROTECTED? FOLLOW THESE TIPS. FIVE STEPS TO HOME PROTECTION #1 SOCIAL SECURITY DON'T TELL THE INTERNET YOU'RE LEAVING FACT 78% of convicted burglars believe social media is now used to target vacant homes. 31 DON'T SHARE Details about when you'll be away. Your home's Vacation pics (until you're back at home). Updates on new expensive purchases. address. IF YOU MUST SHARE Adjust your social media privacy settings so only your friends see your updates. Switch off location services on social apps and sites. #2 MAKE IT LOOK LIVED IN EVEN EMPTY HOMES CAN LOOK OCCUPIED DON'T LET MAIL PILE UP Ask the Post Office to temporarily hold your mail, or have a friend collect it for you. KEEP BIG PURCHASES UNDER WRAPS Properly dispose of boxes and evidence of any pricey purchases. TURN ON THE LIGHTS Plug a few lights into a Wi-Fi Smart Plug so you can set on/off schedules or control them from your mobile device. TAKE OUT THE TRASH Have a neighbor put your trashcans out on trash day (even if they're empty!). USE THE DRIVEWAY Ask a neighbor to park their car in your driveway. 5.000 #3 SECURE THE PERIMETER A GOOD DEFENSE STARTS WAY BEFORE THEY'VE REACHED YOUR DOOR FACT About 60% of burglars indicated that the presence of an alarm would cause them to seek an alternative target altogether. SHOW OFF SECURITY CAMS Install outdoor Wi-Fi Cameras so potential burglars can see your home is being watched before they attempt to break in. WATCH POST SIGNS Prominently display neighborhood watch and security company signage around your house. TIDY UP THE YARD Trim any trees or bushes that would provide cover for a burglar and cut any branches that might provide access to second story windows or skylights. USE EXTERIOR LIGHTS Illuminate areas around doors and windows (install lights up high so they can't be easily disabled!). USE GRAVEL Consider incorporating gravel into your landscape so it's easy to hear anyone lurking outside. #4 LOCKED AND CODED LOCK STRONGER AND SMARTER TO DETER PROWLERS FACT On average, burglars will spend no more than 60 seconds on defeating locks to gain entry to a home. LOCK THE DOORS Make sure every entrance to your home is properly locked (one third of burglaries do not require forcible entry!). LOCK THE WINDOWS If your windows can't be locked, use a wooden stick or dowel to prevent horizontal sliding windows from being opened. REALLY LOCK THEM Consider upgrading to deadbolts and reinforcing the frame of your front door to make a break-in more difficult. STRENGTHEN THE WINDOWS Consider applying a window protection film to all of your windows to make them difficult to break. #5 THE INSIDE JOB CATCH THEM IN THE ACT FACT Most burglars reported an interest in: 79% CASH 68% JEWELRY 58% ILLEGAL DRUGS 44% PRESCRIPTION DRUGS 56% ELECTRONICS KEEP YOUR VALUABLES SAFE Consider purchasing a safe to protect your valuables or hide them well. KNOW IF SOMEONE BREAKS IN Install a Wi-Fi Motion Sensor so you receive a text alert the moment motion is detected in your home. KEEP AN EYE ON THINGS Place Wi-Fi Cameras throughout your home so you can see a live view of any suspicious activity on your mobile device from anywhere. PRO TIP Install a Network Video Recorder and set your cameras to automatically record activity when motion is detected so if something does happen, you can provide video evidence to the police. Even if the camera is destroyed, the footage will still exist on the recorder. University of North Carolina at Charlotte Department of Criminal Justice & Criminology SOURCES U.S. Department of Justice - Federal Bureau of Investigation Electronic Security Association (ESA) D-Link Ш