Burglary Prevention 101: Home Burglary Statistics That Could Save Your Life

Home security is really not optional nowadays.

Maybe you grew up in a town where no one locked their doors—ever. Maybe nothing bad has ever happened in your neighborhood or to anyone you love.

So for those of you still on the fence about home security and home security systems, an important step in that life-saving, home protecting direction is to answer the big question "WHY?" Why bother? Maybe you have friends and family who aren't really convinced that it could happen to them.

(By the way, most burglarized places? Not Detroit and Chicago. Surprisingly, Louisiana, Arkansas and North Carolina get hit the hardest.)

The question we have is, why risk it? Why take the chance when there are so many simple, relatively inexpensive ways to protect yourself and your loved ones and even your hard-earned valuables and possessions.

Burglary Prevention

Home Burglaries Every 13 Seconds

Here are some mind-blowing stats about home burglaries in the United States.

• 1.4 million — that's the average number of homes broken into every year—that's 1 every 13 seconds
• 88% of all burglaries (home and otherwise) are residential
• Police only solve about 13% of home burglaries

Home Burglaries Happen Very Quickly

As with most criminal activities, it doesn't take long at all for the bad guys to do a lot of damage.

• 8 to 12 minutes —that's how long it takes the average burglar to make it in and out of your home with an average of $2,400 in cash
• Their most common loot —cash, electronics, jewelry, medications, firearms, tools, your identity, cars and bikes.
• 51% of the time —there's a repeat break-in on the same home within a month

They Come in Through the Front Door—in the Middle of the Day

I'm not sure what picture you have in mind when you picture a home burglar, but according to statistics, most of the time they're coming into your home the way you do—through the front door. And usually when they think no one is home. A Burglar's Favorite Entry Points

• The Front Door 34%
• A First-Floor Window 23%
• The Back Door 22%
• The Garage 9%
• A Second-Floor Window (because they know people usually don't lock or arm those) 2%

Burglars Can Be Dangerous

• 65% of the time they strike 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. with a strong preference for the 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. window
• 30% of the time a victim is present
• July and August are the most burglarized months (February is least.)
• 12% of burglars bring firearms
• 7% of gun-toting burglars use violence

How to Beat the Burglars

If you're not able to position mini-guns at the apexes of your home or keep guards on rotating shifts, there are some simpler solutions to deter would-be victimizers.

Get A Home Security and Surveillance System. This makes you 300% less likely to become a victim of burglary (and, of course, 300% more likely if you don't have one). While a ferocious and loud-barking dog can be of some use, an actual security system with real-time monitoring is much more effective. And many security systems now also come with cameras for real-time surveillance and recording–that you can even monitor on your phone. 

Advertise Your Security and Surveillance System. Yard signs and window decals reminding crooks that they're going to trip an alarm can be an easy and effective way to make them think twice. Set the Alarm. Only 27% of homeowners actually arm their alarms. 

Set your alarm like clockwork–when you go to bed and when you leave the house. 

Attend to the Basics as Well.

• Double check all windows and doors to be sure they're locked.
• Maintain motion-sensor exterior lights.
• Trim back bushes and other areas where burglars can hide for ambushing.
• Store your valuables somewhere safe.

Source: SafeAtLast (https://safeatlast.co/blog/burglary-statistics/#gref) Train Hard. Train Smart. Make Yourself A Hard Target.