SECURITY STATISTICS

Posted by Vincent Woodhall on November 13, 2014 

SECURITY STATISTICS 

Here are some home security statistics that may shock you… And hopefully motivate you to take action

• 2,000,000 home burglaries are reported each year in the United States.
• About 30 percent of all burglaries are through an open or unlocked window or door.
• Nearly 66 percent of all burglaries are residential (home) break-ins.
• Renters are just as likely to be the victims of property crime as homeowners.
• The highest percentage of burglaries occur during the summer months.
• Homes without security systems are up to 300% more likely to be broken into.

Police offer tips to prevent home break-Ins

Background - Home Break-Ins

• According to the FBI, Home Break-In (Burglary) is the most common threat to our home.
• In the U.S. a home burglary occurs every 13 seconds.
• You are 3 times less likely to have a break in if You install a Police monitored security system.

Burglary Facts

• Every 13 seconds a home intrusion is committed.
• 2.5 million+ home intrusions are committed each year.
• Only 17% of the homes in U.S. have a security system.
• 2,500+ cars stolen per day… almost 2 cars a minute.
• Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in the U.S.
• 1 out of 3 residential assaults are a result of a burglary.
• 85% of break-ins are from non-professionals that are usually more desperate and dangerous.
• People want security and need peace of mind.
• Insurance agencies can offer discounts up to 20% for auto insurance when a home security system is installed.
• Home security statistics tell us that 95% of break-ins needed some amount of force to break-in. 
• Thieves prefer easy access, through an unlocked doors or windows.
• Home security statistics tell us that the type of tools used to break in are usually simple; a screwdriver, pliers, pries bars, and small hammers are most common.
• Police usually only clear 13% of all reported burglaries due to lack of witnesses or physical evidence.
• 300% less likely to have a break in with a Police Monitored Alarm installed. 

Who commits these crimes and why? 
Perpetrators are usually male, under 25 years of age.

• They are looking for items that are small and expensive and easily converted to cash.
• Favorite items include: cash, jewelry, laptops, guns, digital cameras, small electronics (Ipods, GPS, PDA’s MP-3’s and CD’s)
• Money is usually used to support a drug habit.

When do most break-in occur?

• Usually occur in the daytime when occupants are at school or work.
• July and August most the frequent months for break-ins.
• February is the least frequent for home breaks.

How are homes targeted?

• Simple selection process
• Choose an unoccupied home with easy access, the greatest amount of cover and the best escape routes.
• Homeowners often make this selection process easy for thieves by failing to take simple precautions.

What can you do to prevent becoming a victim?

• Harden the Target.
• Home security statistics tell us that burglars will usually bypass a house if it requires too much effort or more skills or tools than they possess.
• Most breaks are through front or back doors.
• Unlocked outer doors to common hallways give thieves a chance to break in through inner doors while remaining out of sight of neighbors and police. Keep outside doors locked

Doors and Locks

• Use a solid core or metal door at entrance points.
• Use a heavy-duty deadbolt with a one inch throw bolt.
• Use a quality knob-in-lock set with dead latch mechanism.
• Use a heavy duty strike plate with 3 inch screws into the frame.
• Use a wide angle peephole.
• When you move into a new house or apartment, change the door locks.

Breaks through doors

• Most common method of forced entry is simply to kick in the door.
• The weakest point is usually the lock strike plate.
• You should upgrade to a heavy-duty strike plate. 

Sliding Glass Doors

• This type of door is usually secured by latches only.
• They are vulnerable to attack.
• Security can be increased by inserting a wooden dowel or stick into the door track to prevent movement.
• There are also metal track blockers / locks available.

Windows (the most frequent point of entry during warm weather months)

• Windows are left unlocked at a much higher rate than doors.
• An open window that is visible from the street may be the sole reason that a house is    targeted. An open window with only a locked window screen is particularly inviting to thieves. Access is quick, easy and silent.
• Windows have latches, not locks; they should have secondary locking devices.
• Wooden sticks/dowels work well with horizontal sliding windows.

Windows

• For vertical windows, through the frame pins work well.
• For ventilation, leave no more than a 4 – 6 inch window opening.
• Make sure that opening is not large enough to allow someone to reach through to unlock the door or remove window lock.

Be A Good Neighbor

• Get to know your neighbors.
• Agree to watch each other’s home.
• While on vacation, pick up mail, newspapers, packages and flyers; put out their trash on trash day (and return empty barrels).
• Offer to park your car in their driveway and listen for a siren from their home security system.
• Water flowers, grass and plants.
• Communicate with each other.

Home Security Lighting

• Interior lighting is necessary to show signs of activity inside.
• Use timers (lights, radios and televisions). Make the home appears occupied.
• Exterior lighting is very important.
• Lights in front of the home should be on a timer.
• If you are not an owner of one of Safeguard Security's Reactor home security systems, use timers or motion sensors for other exterior lighting, especially at the rear of the house.  

Home Alarm Systems

• Increase the potential of burglar being caught by 300%
• Burglars will usually bypass a home that they believe has a sophisticated burglar alarm. 3 times less likely. 
• Home security statistics tell us that an audible horn or siren must be part of the system and linked to Police.
• Alarm systems should reset within three minutes so as not to disturb the neighborhood.
• Leave a key to your house and alarm system with a trusted neighbor who is usually there when you are not home. 
• Alarm systems can also monitor fire sensors and panic buttons with the Fire Dept and Police. 

Operation Identification

• Engrave your driver’s license number (and state) on televisions, stereos, computers and small electronic appliances.
• Photograph your valuables, especially jewelry and electronics.
• Make a list of make, model, serial numbers and value of important items. 
• Give a copy of this list to a relative or close friend.

What if you see something of someone acting suspicious?

• If you see anyone acting suspicious around your house or a neighbor’s house, call 911 immediately.
• If your house is broken into, call police immediately. Don’t touch anything that the    criminal may have touched. 
• Wait outside for police to arrive.
• Write down plate numbers of suspicious vehicles.
• Not all break-ins will be stopped, regardless of the precautions that you take. Talk to your insurance agent to make sure that your valuables will be covered in the event of a theft.