Every year, home invasions cause stress and anxiety for tens of thousands of people across the country. A third of these break-ins end in injuries or even fatalities, so be on the lookout. In most cases, you can follow these tips on preventing home invasions by taking the necessary safeguards.
About Home Invasions
By definition, a home invasion occurs when a person who is not the homeowner or invited guest enters their residence without their knowledge and permission. The act is frequently undertaken with the intention of stealing anything, and the stolen items are often sold for quick money. Theft of valuables, such as artwork, medicines, technology, cash, and jewelry, is a common motive for burglaries. You can be prosecuted for breaking and entering into a structure, such as a house, a hotel, or an airplane.
Invasions of the Home Statistics
There were more than 1.9 million burglaries in the U.S. in 2013, an increase over the previous year’s figure of 1.8 million. Between 2002 and 2013, they fell from 1.991 to 1.926. The crime rate per 100,000 people was 17.63, indicating a downward trend. More than 60 percent of the time, the entry was compelled.
Around 4.5 billion dollars was stolen by burglars in the United States in 2014. Property owners suffered losses of over $2,300 each. Seventy-five percent of those break-ins took place on houses or other dwellings where people lived.
Losses from Home Invasions
Homeowners can see from the figures that they are significantly more prone than other types of businesses to be burglarized, and some of the property lost is irreplaceable. As evidenced by the data, house invasions affect homeowners more than other types of businesses because of the priceless items stolen from them, including valuable jewelry, family heirlooms, and works of art.
Claimants learn too late that a basic house insurance policy protecting their actual property does not cover personal protection and peace of mind. As a result, the loss of valuable objects such as pricey jewelry, guns, rare art, and many others can be a stressful or terrible experience for an individual. Although this is true, these things do not compare to the trauma of being evicted from one’s home.
What Causes Home Invasions?
The most important thing to remember when trying to comprehend how a home invasion occurs is to look at it from the perspective of the intruder. In order to get in, the burglar prefers to break in through open windows and sliding doors, skylights and other entryways.
– An open yard with no fence is a safety hazard. The property lacks enough illumination.
– Knowing if the house is unoccupied at a given time of day or night.
– No dog guards.
– Weak front door locks that are easy to pick.
– The house is easy to access through the back door or windows.
– There are no indications that the property is protected by an alarm system or video surveillance cameras.
– A secluded area with few people out and about.
Before committing a heist, burglars generally investigate the neighborhood around the residence they’ve picked. Homeowners should always be on the lookout for strange things and vehicles that may have left their current positions before moving to the desired residence, especially in the immediate vicinity of their own residence.
Anti-invasion and Ways of Preventing Home Invasions
Home invasions can often be avoided. To deter intruders, protect your property by securing it. Then, to lessen your chances of becoming a victim, follow these tips:
In some areas, a huge number of homeowners have erected an unsightly fence with a sign reading “Beware of Dog” in an effort to keep their pets safe. A fence, on the other hand, can be just as unsightly as one that houses a dog. Whether or not the dog is there, a “Beware of Dog” sign on the gate is an option to consider.
Put the lights and the television on timers in your home. During off-peak hours, burglars thoroughly inspect their potential victims. If they see that you have left the lights on for a short period of time during the day, or only on weekends when you have business on Fridays, it gives away the fact that you’ve been burgled. When you’re away, record shows for DVR and turn on your TV. If you’re very paranoid, you can even cover the lens of your camera with a piece of cloth from time to time.
Install a security system, including an alarm and CCTV. In order to keep your home safe, you must have a burglar alarm. Because no burglar wants to be caught on camera, placing cameras in prominent locations around the property is an excellent idea. If you have cameras and a burglar alarm, make sure to put up signs on every side of the property. Do this even if there are no cameras or alarms. Dummy cameras are another option for folks who can’t afford full-scale surveillance systems.
Keep windows secure and doors locked and make sure everyone in the family knows never to open the door to strangers. Upgrading your door peephole is a great way to see who is on the other side of the door without having to open it.
Burglars often look for jewelry, cash, and guns when they break into a home. Keep these items in a safe place. If you have a gun, make sure it is properly secured so that it cannot be used against you.
An attack by an intruder can happen at any time of day or night. Most home invasions occur during the daytime when people are more likely to be away from home. If you must leave your home for a prolonged period of time, it is best to have someone stay there with
Maintain the impression that someone is at home at all times. There should be a car parked in the driveway, invest in security lighting, no flyers obscuring the windows, and the mail is collected on a regular basis. A lock and strike plate should not be used on any doors that don’t have screens. Request that your neighbors check on the house while you are away. Keep an eye out for strangers lurking around your neighborhood when you’re not at home with the help of a neighborhood watch organization.
Wrapping Up
It is vital to have proper security measures in place to prevent home invasions. Taking the necessary precautions will help keep you and your family safe from harm’s way.
If you have any questions or would like to add anything, please feel free to do so in the comments section below.