According to the FBI, July and August are peak months for home burglaries, making it also prime time to take stock of your home security.
That’s why the New York City-based Insurance Information Institute suggests that everyone protect against “a physical or virtual break-in” during this crucial time.
There are many things a burglar can take from your home, the group said, but the most important thing is your identity.
According to the institute, identity theft insurance is available to repair credit reports and reimburse victims for the restoration of their identities.
August is peak time for home burglaries; tighten security
According to FBI statistics over 80% of burglaries are never solved - in over 4 out of 5 burglaries, the criminal gets away with it. Most burglaries are by forcible entry and most burglaries target homes.
Another amazing statistic was that only 16.5% of reported property crimes were cleared by arrest or exceptional means (2004 FBI Crime Report). This means that the majority of the reported burglaries were not resolved with an arrest. In plain English the burglars got away with the crime.
Home Security and Home Invastion Tips for 2006 - Free Press Release Distribution Service
A series of home invasion robberies in Newton County in southwest Missouri have been targeting elderly residents. The robbers rip out the phone lines, threaten the residents for cash and valuables and rough them up if they don’t cooperate. One resident summoned help by pressing her Medicalert bracelet, which scared away the robbers. In almost all cases the invasion began with a knock on the door. The local Sheriff Ken Copeland said, “If somebody you don’t know comes to your door, don’t open it, call the Sheriff’s office.”
The robbery of an elderly woman at 11:40 a.m. Wednesday on Old Scenic Route again involved two men who entered through the victim’s back door.
“They actually did shove her down,” Jennings said. “But they were not able to obtain anything because she had one of those electronic medical alerts, and when she activated it, it apparently scared them off.”
The woman did not require medical attention for any injuries suffered in the incident, he said.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, nearly 30 of every 1,000 households in the U.S. were burglarized in 2004. Such statistics may not induce you to install iron bars on your windows and hire a 24-hour security guard, but they should compel us to take home security seriously. After all, it takes only one robbery for you or your loved ones to lose your most valued possessions. Taking these easy steps can ensure that you’re doing all you can to prevent burglary.
- Invest in Solid Doors, Locks and Windows
- Conceal Valuables from Sight
- Install Outdoor Lighting
- Always Keep Valuables Locked
- Adopt Street-Smart Habits
- Get to Know Your Neighbors
- Report Suspicious Activity in Your Neighborhood
- Start a Community Watch Program
- Get a Dog
- Invest in a Home Security System
TheNewMexicoChannel.com - House and Home - Ten Steps To Home Security
In an ironic twist a scam artist in the Mission, Texas area has been posing as a salesman for home security service ADT. He collects cash from the homeowner to pay for an alarm installation and then is never seen again. As with any salesman, check the bona fides of alarm salesman. Call the company’s local office - using the number in the phonebook, not the one on the salesman’s business card. And don’t pay cash for something like this. Use a check made out in the company name.
One victim paid $2,300 for a security system, but has nothing more than some wires around his house.
Scam artist posing as home security salesman - NEWSCHANNEL 5
A number of consumers have run into problems with home security monitoring contracts including automatic renewals, one-sided contracts and excessive penalties for early cancellation. One widow was dunned over $1,500 for a contract signed by her deceased husband with repeated letters addressed to “Mr. and Mrs.” at her new address. As with any contract, you should read everything, but the irony here is in needing a watchdog to police those whose job is to protect our assets.
Gereg noted that a contract may have terms that will not be upheld in court. A trade official says that alarm-monitoring contracts often provide for automatic renewals, but a state law on real estate and personal property specifies how a customer must be notified of such provisions in contracts lasting more than 30 days, according to Christine Pritchard, a spokeswoman for State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer.
In April, Spitzer announced a settlement with a Tarrytown-based home-security company following alleged violations related to automatic renewals. “Laws governing automatic renewal clauses in contracts are designed to protect consumers against unknowingly locking themselves into open-ended contracts,” Spitzer said then.
Newsday.com: Sounding a home security alarm: Check the contract
A series of more than 100 burglaries in the San Francisco area have been dubbed the “tunnel burglaries” as the burglars used the tunnel-shaped entryways to the homes to provide cover while they gained access to the front door. The entryways are commonly secured by gates with flimsy locks that can be easily opened in a matter of seconds and once inside the burglars are screened from view as they work on the more secure inner door. The extra barrier to entry ends up helping the criminals in this case. Privacy fences and similar screens can pose the same problem, so homeowners need to consider how to secure these barriers to prevent them being used to a burglar’s advantage.
Authorities said most of the burglarized homes had tunnel-like entryways leading to the front door. The thieves were able to easily break through the tunnel’s security gates and then into the victims’ homes, said Deputy Chief Morris Tabak.
“We held many community meetings to tell residents how to secure these gates,” Tabak said. “These gates flex, and you can force them open with a large screwdriver or pry-bar.”
AP Wire | 11/17/2005 | News in brief from the San Francisco Bay area,
In some neighborhoods in Malaysia, as many as 88 percent of homes have a barrier to keep out intruders before they can even get to the front door. Barriers include gates, fences, walls, guard dogs and even security guards - which are common in condo and apartment buildings. Malaysians also make heavy use of alarm systems, closed circuit television systems and other technological barriers to intruders.
“Our homes really are our fortresses and - unless you are resident - it’s hard to get to most front doors. Gone are the days of being able to pop in unannounced,” he said in a statement.
New Straits Times - Malaysia News Online
Home security expert Frank Fourchalk provides some tips for keeping your garage door from becoming the biggest, easiest entry for burglars to get into your home. Among other tips:
- Use a keyring remote instead of leaving the remote in the car
- Change the codes when you get a new opener or move to a new house
- Disconnect the power to the garage door opener and padlock the springlock on the inside when leaving on vacation.
- Make sure the emergency release is secured.
If you are guilty of leaving your garage door open overnight or forget to close your door on the way to work, you should purchase a monitor that senses when your door has been open for a set period of time. After whatever period of time you set the monitor for, the door will automatically close, assuring your home is secure.
This do-it-yourself product takes about 20 minutes to install and costs about $80.
Keep your overhead garage door safe and secure
The Albuquerque Police Department provides this excellent advice for parents on safety for kids home alone:
Being home alone can be a scary proposition for kids and parents. Many parents who work all day are faced with the daunting task of making sure their children are safe and protected before and after school. By following the tips listed below, parents can ease some of the anxiety associated with leaving their children home alone as well as general child safety advice.
* Regardless of age, make sure your child is mature enough and can comprehend rules to your satisfaction before leaving them alone.
* Can your child be trusted to go straight home after school, easily use the telephone, locks, follow rules and instructions, and stay alone without being afraid?
* Parents should teach kids basic safety rules and house rules. They should also know where their children are at all times, what they’re doing, and who they’re with.
* Instruct your child to check in with a trusted neighbor or call you as soon as they get home.
* Make sure they know how to call 911 in case of an emergency and post important numbers.
* Do they know their telephone number, address, and directions to the home?
* Establish a pre-arranged code word in case someone has to pick them up for you.
* o they know how to operate all doors and window locks as well as an alarm system?
* Install eye viewers at a level comparable to your children’s height.
* Explain to your children to never let anyone into the home or let them know that they are alone.
* Establish set rules about having friends over or going somewhere without your permission.
* Children should never carry their house/apartment key in full view. Place the key in a shirt pocket, sock, or other secure place.
* Teach them never to go into the home if signs of intrusion are noticed (broken windows, ripped screen, open doors).
* Establish a fixed route to and from school and walk that route with your children. Point out designated locations they can go for help including neighbors.
* Encourage them to walk with friends at all times.
* Avoid danger spots like alleys, wooded areas, construction zones, public restrooms, empty buildings and remain in well lit, active locations. Avoid locations where strangers are present.
* If a stranger (any one they do not know) attempts to follow or grab them, teach them to scream, +Stay away from me” or “This person is trying to hurt me,” and run to an established safe place.
* Regularly communicate with your child about unusual incidents, contact with other people, or any event that makes them uncomfortable.
Source: Albuquerque Police Department
