People like to think that a burglary won’t ever happen to them. Burglary is defined as “unlawful entry into a structure with the intent to commit a separate felony or theft.”1 With over 2.5 million burglaries annually in the United States this type of wishful thinking can be dangerous. Armed with knowledge and awareness of burglaries, homeowners can better prepare their homes and their families, so they don’t become crime victims.
Locksmith companies have a lot to offer when it comes to your home’s security.
Being informed about the statistics will help you protect your home or business better. Here are some interesting facts about break-ins, the most common ways they happen and when.
How Often and When
Burglaries have decreased overall in the U.S. in the last decade, but the FBI crime database reported that there were over 847,000 burglaries in 2022, which was an increase in the number reported in 2021.2 While we generally assume that most home burglaries happen at night, the data revealed that 239,137 burglaries were done during the day and only 184,846 happened at night.3 The most daytime burglaries occur between 10 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.4
This is when a video camera comes in handy, just like a nosy neighbor. They see everything and you’ll get notified. You can even confront an intruder over the speaker.
Summertime is Hot for Burglars
Statistics also reveal that more home burglaries occur during the summer with the peak months being July and August, presumably when people are away on vacation.5 Tips to deter intruders during vacation include making sure that newspapers, mail and packages don’t pile up outside; making sure that the outside of the home is well lit at night; drawing the blinds; installing a timer to turn on and off lights inside the home; keeping travel plans and pictures off social media until you return; and enlisting a neighbor to check on the house (and park their car in your driveway) while you are gone.
Check your Front Door!
Your front door is the most likely target for a break-in. A third of burglars reported that the gained access to homes through the front door with many reporting they could just walk right into an unlocked front door.6 An open first-floor window and the back door came in second and third place as points of entry for burglars, with garage doors and basement windows placing fourth and fifth respectively. Not locking windows and doors or having sub-standard window and door locks clearly provides an opportunity for crimes to occur.
Consider a Locksmith for Doors, Safes and Security Systems
Investing in the services of a professional locksmith to secure your exterior doors pays off if a thief can’t kick the door in or compromise the lock or door hinges.
The average value of items stolen from homes in 2020 was $2,926.7 It is no surprise that 75 percent of burglars reported heading to the bedroom first to search for valuables.8 Keeping valuables locked in a safe that can’t be compromised through break-in or by being hauled out of the home is very important based on this statistic. A professional locksmith can provide advice on which safe best meets your needs and can install the safe so that if a break-in does occur, any valuables stored in the safe will still be there after the thief leaves your home.
Security systems are also a major deterrent for burglars. Burglars will check for the presence of security cameras when deciding which house to rob. Homes without security systems are three times more likely to be burglarized.9 This is another area where most professional locksmiths can provide advice and installation assistance.
Gaining knowledge on how burglars target homes and what they do once they break into a home can help homeowners in their efforts to provide a safe and secure place for their families. A professional locksmith can provide expert advice with many aspects of home security and can also install products to make your home as secure as possible.
Michigan Mobile Locksmith Services
Call Action Locksmith to schedule an evaluation of your home’s security and gain peace of mind. Our family-owned locksmith company is an established Michigan business helping residents and businesses with all things locks, doors, and security.
Our residential locksmith and commercial locksmith services are highly regarded and trusted for good reasons. We are available 24/7 to help you with any locksmith service you need!
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1, 2, 3 Burglary Statistics 2024 by Meaghan Hunt
Link: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/burglary-statistics-2024/ar-AA1mTiTJ
4, 6 , 9 What Do Most Burglaries Have in Common?
Link: https://www.adt.com/resources/how-do-burglars-break-into-houses
5, 8 Home Burglary Statistics You Must Know in 2023 by James Mora, 1/9/2024
Link: https://dailyhomesafety.com/burglary-statistics/
7 Surprising Home Burglary Stats and Facts by Deane Biermeier, 1/23/2023
Link: https://www.adt.com/resources/how-do-burglars-break-into-houses