| Today's economy after over a year is still struggling to | | | | homes that appear unoccupied. A car in the driveway, |
| climb out of its bleak hole of mass foreclosures, | | | | motion-sensitive exterior lights, interior lights, radios, TVs |
| company layoffs and shutdowns, plummeting stock | | | | on timers all give an impression that someone is in the |
| markets, and rising gas costs, it's not surprising that | | | | home. Halt newspaper delivery and have a neighbor |
| office and home robberies are on the rise. | | | | pick up your mail and watch your house while you are |
| By far, the most common threat to our home and | | | | away.o Burglars only want to spend 60 seconds |
| office is burglary. According to the FBI, a burglary | | | | breaking into a home. They do not like dead bolt locks, |
| occurs somewhere in the United States every 14.6 | | | | bars on windows, and pins in sash windows.o Don't |
| seconds. By definition, the crime of burglary is a | | | | Help the Burglar. Clear shrubs and trees to prevent a |
| non-confrontational property crime that occurs when | | | | hiding place. Secure tool sheds and ladders. Some |
| we are not home or at the office. However, becoming | | | | thieves will steal tools lying around the property and |
| a burglary victim can leave a feeling of vulnerabilty and | | | | use them to break windows and doors |
| violation. To avoid becoming a burglary victim, it is | | | | There are many affordable solutions to protect your |
| important to first gain an understanding of who | | | | home and office such as window and door alarms, |
| commits them and why. | | | | wireless security systems and dummy cameras that |
| Timing:o Most home burglaries take place between | | | | look like the real thing. There are also higher end |
| 10am to 3pm.o Burglars spend an average of 8 to 12 | | | | options such as professional surveillance equipment |
| minutes in your home or office | | | | and hidden cameras that will know what's going on in |
| Type:o The typical house burglar is a male teenager | | | | your home even when you are not there. Diversion |
| who lives a couple of miles from your home. The | | | | cans are an excellent solution to hide your valuables in |
| chance of being victimized by a professional is low. | | | | plain sight by concealing them in cans that look like |
| Target:o 65.8% are burglaries are residential homes.o | | | | everyday products such as soda cans, books and |
| Homes without security systems are 3 times as likely | | | | flower pots. And lastly, in case there's a break-in while |
| to be broken into than homes with security systems.o | | | | you are still there, always have a personal protection |
| First stop: Usually the master bedroom because most | | | | device on hand such as a pepper spray, stun gun, |
| people leave their valuables there.o Favorite Items: | | | | TASER device or mace. You may be able to save |
| Cash, jewelry, electronic equipment, silver, guns and | | | | you and your family's life with one of these safety |
| other items easy to sell.o Other Rooms Targeted:o | | | | products that are legal in most states, cost-effective |
| Front Door - 34%o First Floor Windows - 22%o | | | | and does not require a permit. |
| Basement - 4%o Garage - 9%o Unlocked entrances | | | | The goal is to do whatever is necessary to prevent |
| and Storage Areas - 6%o Second Floor - 4% | | | | an invasion of your personal and professional space. |
| Precautions You Can Take:o Burglars search for | | | | |