Saturday, April 03, 2010

Preventing Home Theft



  • Taking steps to prevent theft can reduce your insurance premiums and save you from the heartbreak of losing items that are worth more to you than money. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation estimates, in 2007 alone, there were nearly 2.2 million burglaries in the United States. There are steps that homeowners can take to make their properties less vulnerable to intruders and precautions to prevent becoming a victim of theft. Consider the following safety tips to protect your home and family

  • Make it difficult for an intruder to hide; trim bushes and trees to allow maximum exposure of windows and doorways.
  • Install a home security system. According to the FBI, homes equipped with centrally monitored alarm systems are 15 times less likely to be targets of break-ins.
  • Install motion-detection lights on all sides of the house. This will help to make your home less inviting to burglars.
  • Take part in the neighborhood watch and get to know your neighbors. Neighbors can play a key role in preventing home thefts. Homeowners who interact with their neighbors are less likely to be victimized by other members of their community. At the same time, closely knit neighbors are more likely to call the police if they see someone suspicious poking around your property.
  • When you aren't home, use a timer set to turn interior lights on and off at varying intervals as though your home was still occupied.
  • Use solid core or metal clad entrance doors with solid door frames firmly attached to your home. Many intruders enter residences by physically destroying lightweight hollow core doors and flimsy door frames.

Taking these preventive measures can reduce the chances of your home being broken into and your possessions stolen. It is a good idea to review your insurance policy to make sure it provides all the protection you need. It is recommended that you videotape your valuables and note any serial numbers in case of theft.