Do you know what you’d do if your home was burglarized while you were away for an extended weekend or while on vacation? Homes are sanctuaries. They are where we relax after a long day at work, and they are where we feel most secure. When a home is burglarized, individuals and families feel violated, and they wonder if their home is still safe. Thankfully, there are things you can do to deter burglars from entering your home and steps you can take to ensure your belongings are replaced if your home is burglarized.
4 Steps to Take to Deter a Home Break-In
According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2.3 robberies occur for every 1,000 individuals in the United States as of the most recent data from 2017. This is an increase of .6 from 2016. The good news is that you can take steps to make your home less appealing to burglars.
1. Put Holds on Your Mail and Any Newspapers or Magazines
If you are going to be away for several days, make sure to contact the post office and all the subscription services you use that leave mail or packages at your door and tell them to hold it until you get back. A mailbox that is full of mail and packages left on a doorstep for an extended period of time can tell burglars that you are not home.
2. Have Someone Check on Your Home While You Are Away
Sometimes a package or a piece of mail will come to spite the fact that you notified everyone to hold your mail and packages. To prevent items from collecting in your mailbox and at your front door, enlist the help of a neighbor, family member, or trusted friend to check on your home daily while you are away. The individual checking on your home can pick up mail and packages and make sure that your home is still secure. If they notice anything odd, they can inform you and call the police.
3. Don’t Advertise Your Vacation
Burglars pay attention to social media. Therefore, it’s a good idea never to tell your social media followers that you are leaving for a few days, and do not post pictures of your vacation until after you’ve returned home. Talking about your upcoming vacation and posting pictures of your vacation while it happens can tell burglars that you’re away.
4. Invest in a Home Security System
Investing in a home security system can also deter burglars. It used to be recommended that homeowners place alarm system stickers on their windows and doors in easy to spot areas, but burglars are wise to this tactic and may ignore signs, especially if they don’t see any security cameras. Instead of simply posting pictures, install a security system that contains motion-activated lights, an audible alarm and security cameras.
Replacing Your Stolen Belongings
If your home does get burglarized, make sure you can replace your belongings by having a homeowners policy. Homeowner policies, like those offered by Great Lakes Insurance, can help you replace your belongings and repair any damage caused to your home by the burglar, like a broken front or back door or window. It’s also important to choose a deductible amount that you can always afford. Most homeowners choose deductibles between $1,000 and $2,000. This means that when you file your claim, our insurance company will pay for the replacement cost of your items minus the deductible.
By taking steps to deter burglars from breaking into your home and maintaining a valid homeowners insurance policy, you are reducing your risk of having your home burglarized, and if items are stolen from your home, you are ensuring that you can replace them.
