Over 2.5 million home intrusions are reported every year, and less than 20% of burglars are ever caught and arrested. Did you know that the highest percentage of burglaries occur in the summer months, and most occur during the day?

Here is some advice to avoid becoming a part of these statistics.

Protect Your Property

• Work with your neighbors and look out for one another.
• Lock all doors and windows before leaving the house, or going to bed.
• Make sure you have adequate exterior lighting.
• Trim trees and shrubs so they can’t be used to conceal burglars.
• Never leave a spare house key under doormats, flowerpots, mailboxes, or other secret hiding places.
• Keep the garage door closed and lawn mowers, snow blowers, bicycles, etc. stored out of sight.
• Consider installing an alarm system.

Protect Your Valuables

• Mark your valuables with an engraver or a permanent marker.
• Make a property identification list and keep in safe place (note model and serial numbers).
• Make photocopies of credit cards.
• Obtain licenses for bikes.

Have a Plan When You Go Out of Town

• Inform the police and trusted neighbors that you will be gone for an extended time.
• Ask a neighbor, family member, or friend to check in on your house and make it look occupied (opening and closing drapes, bringing in mail and newspapers, turning lights on, etc).
• Avoid leaving a message on your voice mail or social media that indicates you’re not home.

Report Suspicious Persons To Police Immediately

• Look for unfamiliar subjects on bikes or foot. Burglars in these cases will be carrying backpacks.
• Look for slow moving cars. If you can do so safely, get a description of the vehicle, the driver, and occupant(s). Try to obtain a license plate number.
• If someone knocks on your door and you don’t feel comfortable opening it, make sure they know you are home. Yell through the door that you are calling the police. If you don’t let them know you are home, they may try to break in.