Prevent a Summer Burglary
For many, Memorial Day marks the beginning of summer. As the summer vacations begin, Florida commences seeing a rise in home burglaries. According to the FBI, a home burglary happens every 28 seconds in the US. That’s more than 3,000 each day. The summer months are usually the peak season for home burglaries due to so many families traveling on vacations.
Your vacation plans should include a plan for securing your home while you are away. Here are some tips to prevent a summer burglary.
1. Don’t advertise that you are on vacation. An empty driveway is an easy way for burglars to be alerted that no one is home. Consider taking an uber to the airport or having a family member or friend take you. Leaving a car in the driveway gives the appearance that someone is home. You can also speak to a neighbor who could potentially park a vehicle in your driveway while you are away. This would also help by showing movement of vehicles if they park in a different spot or facing outward for example on different days.
2. Mail stacking up in your mailbox or packages sitting on the porch for days is another tell that you have left on vacation. Consider asking a neighbor to pick up the mail and bring in any packages while you are away. This will eliminate the problem of this easy indicator that you are not home.
3. Keeping the lights off all the time is another tell that you are not home. This is a pretty easy fix really. Consider using a timer to turn lights on (and off) at a certain time each day. Having the lights come on before dark inside and turning them off at a later time lets anyone passing by see that the lights are on giving them the indication that you are home. If possible, switch up the schedule so it’s not the same on and off time every day. If you have multiple stories, perhaps have the lights on the lower floor on earlier then transition to the second floor bedrooms for later hours.
4. Consider a home security system. A burglar alarm is a major deterrent for thieves. In a nationwide study, 83% of convicted burglars reported checking for security systems before breaking in. There are many great and affordable options when it comes to home security systems.
5. In addition to an alarm, consider installing cameras for the main entrances as well as any windows. Cameras that are visible from the outside are a good way to scare off potential thieves. A doorbell cam is another option for you as these are also typically monitored through your phone and can be set to alert you when motion is detected.
6. Posting photos on social media while you are on vacation may be fun but be aware of who has access to your social media pages. If you are very social and have your privacy settings open, any of your friend’s friends or contacts can see your posts. While not as common as your everyday burglars, some home invasions are often associated with a person who you know or is connected with you through common connections. Consider changing your privacy settings while you are away or hold off on posting those amazing vacation photos until you get back.
7. Don’t leave the garbage or recycling bins out when going away. The empty bins sitting out are another way potential burglars can identify a vacant home. Instead, ask a neighbor or friend to bring in the bins if you have left them out. In addition, do not leave boxes of expensive items such as tv’s or computers in the bins. Hold
off on tossing these until you get back or can be home on garbage / recycling day.
8. Avoid giving burglars a place to hide out on your property. If you have shrubs around your deck, AC unit, pool equipment, etc., consider trimming these low during the summer months to keep the visibility open and clear. This simple solution will help prevent summer burglaries and allow the equipment to better breath with more airflow during the hot summer months.
Sounds pretty simple? it can be but you must take the initiative and get your property ready. Order the timers for those indoor lights. Be sure to lock your windows and doors properly. Talk to your neighbors about keeping an eye on things while you are away. Make a plan for any possible problems that may arise while you are away and be sure to provide your neighbors with good contact information for you while you’re away.
Do you keep valuable items in your home? Consider getting a safety deposit box at a local bank branch to keep those valuables in during the summer months. It’s always a good idea to have two people able to sign in and take items out of the box. A spouse, child or close relative can be there when opening the box so that you can both have access. Keep an inventory of the items you are looking to keep in the box and be sure to note any items that you remove or add along the way.
If you are renting, check with your landlord if they offer renters insurance. If they don’t, reach out to your insurance broker to inquire about renters insurance and coverage for home burglaries. No one likes paying for insurance until the day you have to file a claim- then your insurance broker becomes your best friend. Insuring the contents of your home including policies for expensive items such as jewelry or handbags is a good idea. We can recommend several options for these policies with our affiliated insurance agents. Feel free to contact us for more information.
In closing, while there may be no full proof way of preventing a home burglary, these tips mentioned above can help fend off potential burglars at a minimal investment. We invite you to explore these suggestions and solutions to protect your home during the summer months and year round.
– Rafael Amador