Lowering Your Risk Of Being A Crime Victim - Part Four
Today we will continue our series.
What do burglars look for in a home? In no particular order, these are the things that are trends and what you can do to mitigate your risk:
Crime Watch - You can join right now! You don’t need to worry since it will open a new window and then you can come back right here. You can pickup where we left off.
Dark Garage - Make sure garage lights can be turned on from inside the house and have a sensor that is triggered by your vehicle or garage door opener so you don’t have to walk into a dark garage. It is easy for someone to hide and potentially attack you. This garage light is amazingly bright, inexpensive, and easy to install!
Garage Remote - Please change your garage-door opener code!!! Did you know that new openers come with factory preset codes that are meant to be changed? Burglars will drive around neighborhoods with common brands of remote openers (builders buy in bulk), looking for garage doors that will open. They also sell universal and “code stealer” remotes, so please be aware of who is around when you open and close your door. Don’t keep your automatic garage door openers clipped to the visor in your car. Thieves know that a garage door opener remote is another key to your home and they won’t hesitate to take it if they find it. Please replace it with a key chain remote that you can keep with you at all times or get a smart garage door opener to open and close your garage door from anywhere via your smartphone. Thieves can steal the garage door opener and return at any potential time. If you’re guilty of leaving your garage door open, consider installing a garage door sensor or an automatic garage door closer. A sensor can tell you if your overhead door is open or closed and a closer will automatically close the garage after a certain amount of time. For even more protection, consider installing an automatic garage door lock to automatically deadbolt your garage door every time you close it.
“Charlie” Bars - If your door is not secure enough or reinforcing it is outside of your price point at this time (goodness knows things rot, split, shift, crack, and break easily), please get a vertical “Charlie” bar. I know one person that was saved from an attempted home invasion by one shortly after being robbed at gunpoint. Her son got it for her and I am glad he did! When my dad called me because he had lost his keys late at night and couldn’t secure his front door, I arrived with a “Charlie” bar. They are great for dorms, apartments, and rentals too. You can’t put a price on safety and piece of mind, but Amazon can at about $20.
Mail, Packages, & Flyers - Please have your mail placed on hold, packages stopped, and ask someone to stop by twice daily to get anything that may accumulate on your porch while you are out of town. Nothing says, “rob me” like a bunch of flyers stuck to a door and Amazon boxes.
Gifts - We all love to decorate for the holidays; however, it is best that you don’t place items under the tree. You are placing them on display, fully wrapped, ready to go!
Boxes - Please breakdown your boxes, turn them inside out, and wait until as late as possible to place them outside for pickup. They tell potential burglars exactly what you have purchased.
Garage Doors - Please keep your garage closed unless you are in them. When you keep the doors to your garage open (even when you’re home) the open door gives a burglar a sneak preview of what is inside. He can easily discern what tools may be handy to break a lock or use your ladder to climb into a second story window. It also showcases your pricey stored goods like a high-end tools, riding mowers, golf carts, camping gear, and sports equipment. If you’ve converted your garage into a man cave or she shed, he is going to notice your nice TV, alcohol (remember most burglars aren’t old enough to drink, so this could be a big score) behind a bar, neon signs, etc. Do you have an extra refrigerator in the garage? That says that you have enough disposable income to purchase in larger quantities and/or drink Coke. Soda is a luxury item which says, “disposable income”. If you have a freezer and a refrigerator in your garage, tools, a TV, and toys, I can virtually guarantee that you will have plenty of nice items ripe for the picking inside. Keep the door closed! They also have a peak at the door that goes from the garage to the inside of the home which is the weakest exterior door that into your home. They can also use your tools as weapons of opportunity against you, breaking your window to gain entry.
Garage Door Windows - Thankfully, I have not seen any of these in Paloma Creek. If you have them, please cover them with the mirrored film that allows light in or blinds, but keeps out prying eyes. As an added layer of security, you can also add security film that is mirrored and prevents glass breakage like this one. Otherwise, someone can look directly into your garage and see not only what you have, but when you are coming and going.
Social Media - It was so kind of you to tell everyone you are on vacation right now! Please, keep the photos to share for after you get home. Do NOT share photos or locations on social media that show you are not at home. Don’t even post if you are at an event down the street. Your home is unattended.
Try walking around your home inside and outside tomorrow, but I want you to be the burglar. What do you see that needs to be addressed? Safety and security are skills and habits that we can freely share and build upon together. They do not happen overnight. With some small changes, we can make a large impact.
