6 Interesting Facts Learned From Burglars
In learning to defend yourself from the threat of burglary, it’s best to look to the offenders to know how to prepare for the crime. Here are a few facts that burglars know and you don’t.
1. In about a third of burglary cases, thieves gain entry into the home thanks to an unlocked door or window. This allows a burglar to walk in without arousing suspicion from neighbors of passersby, and leave just as easily.
2. Summer months are great for burglaries. The wisdom behind this is simple: people vacation in the summer, and homes are left unattended. Even if, for example, you live in Miami, a state where many go for vacation, something like ADT home security may be worth considering if you travel for the summer.
3. Less than a fifth of homes in the US have security systems. Burglars learn how to search for homes without signs of an installed security system, and then strike. Despite where you may live, having a home security system installed limits the chance of being targeted for burglaries while also making you feel more at ease.
4. Most burglaries happen during the day. It goes against common perceptions, which tells us it makes sense to burgle at night, but knowing that occupants of a home may be off to work or school during the day opens the door for uninterrupted thievery.
5. Bedrooms are hit first, then the rest of the home. Why? It’s where most of us keep our personal belongings, consumer electronics, and money. If you keep your valuables at home, consider being creative with how you store them, as burglars will search the bedroom first.
6. Only about a tenth of burglaries are ever solved. When reporting burglaries to the police, officers may not disclose the statistic in order to keep you calm. But the startling truth is many burglars leave little evidence behind to be tracked, and compared to other crimes it is considered of low priority.
Recognizing the tools burglars have at their disposal makes it easier for you to identify where you are most exposed. Prevention through awareness is the best ways to avoid becoming a victim of theft.