According to the FBI:

* Homes without alarm systems are 2.7 times more likely to be burglarized,

* A burglary occurs every 12 seconds,

* The average loss is $1,675.00,

* 1 in 6 homes will be burglarized,

* Criminals take less than 1 minute to enter our home, and,

* 60% of burglaries occur during daytime hours.

Criminals look for the fast and easy targets – homes that are easily accessed from the back, on ‘quiet streets’, and where they have minimal chances of being seen or interrupted.

So, what can we do to minimize our chances of being a victim of a burglary? A lot! Here are a few suggestions everyone can implement to protect your home and property.

1. All exterior doors should be solid-core wood, steel or fiberglass with the hinges on the inside of the door.

2. Keep all doors and windows locked. Exterior doors should have deadbolt locks with keys on both sides-not a thumb turn on the inside. Be sure the deadbolt has at least a 1” throw and that the strike plates are reinforced and secured with 3” screws.

3. Sliding doors are the easiest access point in to our home. Install vertical bolts to prevent them from being lifted off the track.

4. When you are away from home, for any reason, create the illusion that someone is home – use multiple programmable timers on multiple lights, radio and TV’s.

5. NEVER leave clues that you are away from home:

a. Have your mail and paper stopped or picked up by a friend or neighbor each day,

b. Have your lawn cared for on the same day you normally have it done,

c. Let the police know you’ll be away and for how long,

d. Never leave a message or voicemail announcing you are away.

6. Don’t hide a key! Criminals will find them, no matter how clever we think we are.

7. Keep your valuables in a safety deposit box.

8. Install low voltage exterior lights to minimize hiding places for criminals.

9. Be very careful and aware of what you are posting on social media sites!

a. DO NOT provide detailed personal information in your profile,

b. DO NOT post detailed information or pictures of your children – pedophiles use these sites too!

c. DO NOT post vacation, dinner or party plans until AFTER you are back home,

d. Employers, potential employers and the police use social media sites to learn about us, so do criminals!

10. Install and use a home security system.

The key to being safe is being aware of what is happening in your neighborhood. If you see suspicious activity or vehicles driving slowly, report this information to the police. Let your neighbors know what you’ve seen also. Consider starting a Neighborhood Watch Program.

By now, most of our children are back in school and we are settling in to the routine.  If you have not talked to your children about their safety at school yet, I hope you’ll take the following information from Universal Services of America and share it with our kids.

*Walking to and from school – map out the route your child will take and know who lives along it.  While you don’t have to know every homeowner, it is important you research for any possible sexual predators that may live in the area.  Also advise your children to stay on the predetermined path and avoid any parks, alleys, fields, etc., where there aren’t a lot of people around.  Find out beforehand if there will be crossing guards at the intersections, and arrange for neighborhood children to walk together.  Ensure your child knows their address and phone numbers of emergency contacts!

*Riding a bike or scooter – make sure they know and obey the traffic laws and wear proper safety equipment.  Bike helmets, sturdy shoes, and a backpack that isn’t overloaded will all help make the trip easier and safer for our children.

*If you plan on driving your child to school, make sure you see them enter the school yard or building before you leave.

*If your child will be taking the bus, instruct them to arrive at the stop early, stay out of the street while waiting, and always keep themselves visible to the bus driver.

*Dealing with bullies – teach your child to stand tall, remain calm, and walk away from difficult confrontations; if you suspect your child is being bullied, visit the school immediately and explain the situation to the principal.

*Playground safety – check out the equipment your child will be playing on and report any potential hazards.  Remove the drawstring from around the neck of clothing; any drawstring at the waist or bottom of a garment should be trimmed to no more than three inches long.

*Children need strict rules in place if they will be home alone – set a check-in time for them to call and let you know they made it home, and make sure they understand to keep the doors locked once they’re inside.  Additionally, you and your children should make plans beforehand for what they need to do in emergency situations, such as fires, accidents, earthquakes, etc.

It’s also important to know that technology is on our side when safeguarding our children.  There are Child Locator and GPS systems which can help locate your child should he or she go missing.  With such technology, you can also set “fences”, or boundaries, so if your child steps outside that zone a text message is sent to your phone.  Also, many home alarm systems can help keep track of when your child arrives home with a latchkey feature which will notify you if your child does not disarm the system within a set time.  In addition, implementing a video surveillance system in your home will allow you to look in from any computer or most smart phones to check on your kids.  Some systems even have audio capability so you can see and hear what is happening at home.

Call 480-213-7856 to schedule your FREE, no obligation security review today!  Your Safety Is Our Top Priority!