Common Myths and Misconceptions About Residential Burglaries

An estimated  1,401,840 burglaries  occurred in the United States in 2017. Many people whose home is burglarized may have believed that it could never happen to them because they took all the necessary precautions, or they live in the safe part of town. In reality, burglars are clever, and they know that many homeowners don't understand how and when break-ins occur.

Here are a few of the most common myths and misconceptions about residential burglary.

Burglaries Mainly Occur at Night

You might be surprised to learn that the majority of burglaries occur between 10 am and 3pm, not in the middle of the night. This is the time when most people are at work, the kids are at school, and the house is left unprotected, since many homeowners mistakenly believe burglars won't strike when the sun is out.

Keep your home secure throughout the day and night to protect your family and possessions. Make sure all your doors and windows are locked before you leave your home for the day. Burglars have a short window of opportunity and if they aren't able to easily access your home through a window or door, they will likely move on to another house.

You can also prune your bushes and trees to prevent making them an easy hiding spot, keep your curtains drawn to hide your valuables, and ask your neighbors to start a neighborhood watch.

Burglars Will Sneak in Through the Back of the House

Movies and television portray burglars as sneaking into a home through a hidden back entrance. In reality, burglars will get into your home any way and anywhere they can. This could be through a cracked front door or by climbing a ladder and accessing your home through a broken attic window.

Make sure all the windows and doors in your home are secure and unbroken. Talk to a security professional about ways you can make every entrance to your home as safe and fortified as possible. This could include upgrading or adding extra locks.

Burglaries Don't Happen in Safe Neighborhoods

You may have moved into your home partly because the neighborhood has a reputation for being boring and safe. Unfortunately, burglars also know about the neighborhood's reputation and will use this to their advantage. Break-ins can happen anywhere and no one is immune. The best option is to ensure your home is as safe as possible.

Install a security system with cameras at the back and front door. Work with a security expert to build a security system that is both safe and convenient. For example, there are smart security systems that allow homeowners to check their security cameras and lock their doors from a tablet inside the home or the homeowners' smartphone at work.

Burglars Never Break in To the Safe Home Twice

Finally, one of the most common misconceptions about break-ins is that once your home is hit, the burglars won't come back. The thinking is that the burglars won't come back because they already stole all the jewelry, electronics, or other items they wanted. Unfortunately, if you have a lot of hot ticket items, the burglar may leave some pieces behind and come back another day.

Change all the locks on your doors immediately after the burglary occurs. The thief could have found an extra set of keys and may try to use them. Repair any damage to doors and windows created by the burglar. Upgrade the locks, add dead bolts, and consider investing in a state-of-the-art security system.

Homeowners are victims of residential burglaries each year, but that doesn't have to be you. If you have any further questions about how to keep your home and family safe, contact the professionals at  Southern California Security Centers Inc.