This will probably come as no surprise to you, but there are more home break-ins and burglaries during the summer months than any other time of the year, including the holidays.

What’s more, and according to the FBI:

• Most burglaries occur between 6 AM and 6 PM.
• About 30% of burglaries are initiated through an open or unlocked window or door.
• In the U.S., one home burglary occurs every 13 seconds
• 2 million home burglaries are reported every year

Needless to say, home burglaries are a widespread and persistent problem. But a problem that most often can be prevented.

Here’s how to safeguard your home during the summer season:

Think like a burglar. How might you break into your own home if you really had to? You might start by looking for a ladder left outdoors or in an unlocked garage, and shame on you if you find one!  You also might want to consider trimming back tall shrubs near windows. Those windows may be secure now, but a burglar won’t know that until he tries getting through one. Why give him that chance?

Keys and key chains. Do you have a hidden key for a family member who may have forgotten theirs? First, it’s probably not as well hidden as you’d like to think. Second, you’d be far better off leaving a spare key with a trusted neighbor.

Do not open the door to strangers. That person attempting to enter your home could be sales person of the year for the company they claim to be with, but you don’t know that! When in doubt, keep them out.

Keep the lights on. Exterior lighting is a wonderful burglar deterrent and one you should take full advantage of. Motion sensor lights that detect people, not animals? We highly recommend them. The same goes for pathway, patio, and other forms of outdoor lighting.

Lawn, papers, and social media – no way! Serious times call for a serious commitment to home security, and that includes not advertising your time away from on home. For example, nothing says “We’re away!” better than an unkempt lawn that usually is meticulously groomed, newspapers stacked up on your front stoop, and a mail box overflowing with bills, birthday invitations, and what have you.  Another calling card to put back in your pocket, so to speak is Social Media – as in, save sharing details of your trip until you return to your un-burglarized home.

Today, Now Security Systems would like to share one more FBI statistic with you: homes without security systems are 300% more likely to be burglarized than those without. Don’t already have one? Call us for a free in-home security appraisal and new system quote.  Have a system but not happy with the company monitors it?  Call us, share your concerns, and allow us the opportunity to put them to rest.  Now Security Systems: always ready and able to help.