Home burglaries in the United States have become extremely common. Every 15 seconds a home robbery occurs in the country. According to Pew Research Center the police solve only 13% of them. Having a secure home is something that all homeowners should invest in as 34% of the break-ins occur through the front door of the home.
When it comes to security, there are some simple mistakes that many property owners make and that can be easily avoided:
1. Announcing the world where you will be on social media
Avoid announcing to the public where you are or will be soon on your social network. It is a very easy way for a robber to know your schedule and schedule a burglary. Wait until you are home to share your vacation.
2. Leaving your keys hidden “in plain sight”
Never leave your keys outside, ever. It is common for tenants or property owners to leave the keys “hiding” in plain sight. Under the mat, bushes, window sill, under a fake rock etc. Trust us, if the key is hidden in any of these places, the burglar will find it. The farther the keys are from your house the better.
3. Keeping valuables close to a window
Remember that if you can see the outside, the outside can see the inside. The outside view is a crucial factor when houses are being robbed and watched by intruders. If anything valuable is visible it will definitely attract unwanted people. Think of computers, laptops, keys or even jewelry. No one should ever know what you possess from outside.
4. Using fake security equipment
It used to be a common practice to buy fake cameras, however burglars can now figure out the difference between a real one and a fake one. Make sure you invest in something that can continuously monitor your home.
5. Packages delivered to empty houses
Sometimes we forget to cancel our deliveries while we are away and they get stacked up at our doorstep. This is a green light for thieves. They know you are not home and they have complete access to your personal information too. Don’t leave empty boxes of expensive TV’s or computers in plain sight. Put them inside a trash bag or keep them inside your home until you can take them personally to the dumpster.
6. Going light on door and windows
How many times have you left the windows unlocked? Sometimes we forget the basics. Always remember to lock your windows. Many burglars know how to get through standard locks, so consider upgrading to more secure heavy-duty window locks.
7. Trusting your guard dog 100%
Having a guard dog is always a good idea. They can scare away, bark and even attack intruders. However we should not leave all of our security to them. Dogs can be easily impressed by treats or worse; can be poisoned by thieves. Always beware!.
8. Having your alarm system in direct sight
This mistake is far more common than you would think. A lot of the security in our home depends on which part of the home the alarm is installed in. If the alarm is in direct sight from the street, it increases the probabilities of break-ins. It is extremely important you hide the control panel. Make sure you tell this to the installation crew that is setting up your security system.
9. Assuming daytime is safe
Never assume that robberies happen at night. Actually the most common time to break into a house is between 12:00pm and 4:00 pm. This time is when people are working or at school. Always take the same precautions you take at night during the day.
Named one of the Best Property Management Companies in Chicago, Landmark Property Management is a full-service brokerage with a reputation for going the extra mile for our clients. If you need help, have any questions, or are interested in learning from the best property management company in Chicago, don’t hesitate to reach out! You can contact us at Landmark Property Management via phone at 312-313-8553 or send us an email at office@landmarkrgc.com.
