Discouraging Home Break-Ins

It’s an unfortunate sign of the times, but when there is a significant downturn in the economy and unemployment rises, there is often a corresponding increase in home break-ins and thefts.

According to the Insurance Information Institute (www.iii.org), burglars won’t find your home an “easy mark” if (1) they are forced to work in the light (2) they can’t break in without making a lot of noise, or (3) they have to take a lot of time breaking in.

A good security system, while a smart investment, may not be an affordable option for many homeowners. Fortunately, there are some simple – and affordable – steps you can take to help make your home less attractive to burglars.

Step 1: “Case” Your Own House

Try and look at your home, condo or apartment through the eyes of a burglar. Or, pretend you have forgotten your key. How would you break in? Where are the easiest points of entry? Then consider what you can do to make them more secure.

Step 2: Start with the Basics

Doors. Make sure you have strong doors and doorframes. A peephole or wide angle viewer in the door is safer for identifying visitors than a door chain.

Locks. Install high quality locks. Deadbolt locks are best and the cylinder should be pick-resistant. Special locks are available for sliding glass doors, which can otherwise be easy to open.

Windows. A simple way to secure double-hung windows is to drill a hole through both the window casing and window frame, and then insert a nail “pinning” the upper and lower frames together. For windows on the street level, consider installing security bars or grates.

Lights. Exterior lights and motion detector lights, mounted out of easy reach, can help reduce the darkness burglars are looking for.

Helping to make your home safer not only increases your peace of mind, it could pay in other ways. In most states, homeowners policies provided by The Hartford offer a discount for safety features such as dead bolt locks and burglar/fire alarms.

For more information on making your home more secure, visit web sites such as those from the Insurance Information Institute www.iii.org/articles/home-security.html or the National Crime Prevention Council www.ncpc.org/topics/home-and-neighborhood-safety.