subject: Don't Be a Statistic: How to Prevent a Home Burglary [print this page] Don't Be a Statistic: How to Prevent a Home Burglary
Home should be a place of refuge and sanctuary; a place where people feel safe from the many dangers that exist across society and for most people, this is the case. People can come home at night, kick their shoes off and relax safe in the knowledge that whatever bad things are going on in the world, they are in their own personal safe haven.
However, Home Office statistics reveal that there are more than a million burglaries in the UK each year, equating to one every 37 seconds. This doesn't mean you should sit at home frightened that you'll become one of these statistics, but it does mean you should consider whether you are doing everything you can to prevent your home from being burgled.
By and large, burglars are opportunistic criminals. They'll look for the easiest target with the least obstacles in the way which means that unoccupied and insecure homes are always prime targets.
With this in mind, before disappearing on holiday for two weeks, consider ways you can make your house seem' occupied. If a build up of mail is visible from outside your house either through a glass door or through a window - this is a classic sign that the homeowner is away, which means you should consider a mail holding service whilst you're on holiday.
Similarly, remember to cancel any other regular deliveries you receive, such as milk, which can alert a would-be burglar to the presence of an empty property.
Furthermore, the technological revolution is in full swing and home security systems can help you immeasurably. You can arrange for your lights to be activated by a timer, so that they come on automatically for an hour or two every night anybody watching your property will think that someone is home.
Similarly, motion sensors outside the home can activate an external lighting system should any unwanted prowler start sniffing around your property. Burglars like to be hidden from view and this is likely to act as a very strong deterrent.
A good old fashioned burglar alarm is always a good idea too even if it isn't linked to the local authorities, the noise alone can be enough to scare intruders off.
Also, always make sure all your windows are firmly locked and whatever you do, don't leave any ladders or tools lying around the garden area as these can be used to help force entry to a property.
Of course, even with all these measures in place, you can never be 100% safe from home intruders and you are always best seeking home insurance advice to ensure you are fully covered should a burglar find a way into your home. If your house is broken into, the last thing you need is a financial catastrophe to compound matters!
