According to the FBI, there were an estimated 1,230,149 burglaries in the U.S. in 2018, which resulted in an estimated $3.4 billion in property losses.
Homeowners Insurance acts as a safety net by helping to replace items that are stolen or damaged during a burglary, but wouldn’t it be even better if your home was never broken into in the first place?
Everyone wants to keep their home safe from burglars or intruders, but not everyone wants to have an alarm system installed. There are plenty of people who prefer the do-it-yourself route, whether it’s home improvement or home security.
And nowadays, there are more options than ever when it comes to home security, so we at Berkshire Insurance Services want to help you sort through those options with a few tips.
Do-it-yourself options
The widespread availability of electronic tools means that homeowners can set up their own monitoring systems if they choose, without the help of a home-security company.
Cameras
- Smaller and more inexpensive than ever, cameras can be placed nearly anywhere on the exterior of your home and monitored from inside wirelessly — or set to record footage for review later. Available software even allows you to point your laptop camera in a particular direction (say, at the front door) and check the images from a remote location.
Lights
Motion-detecting floodlights are an excellent deterrent to thieves because they don’t want to be seen. Make sure they’re installed near entryways, and that they aren’t easily reached from the ground. And using timers for interior lights is a good way to give the appearance that your home is occupied.
Alarms
Vibration alarms are available for windows, alerting you if someone is trying to get in. Similarly, other monitors can be installed near doors and programmed to sound if a person comes within a set distance. Some even emit barking sounds to make it appear that a dog is in the house.
Even if you aren’t interested in installing security equipment around your home, there are several things you can do to increase safety.
Home Safety Tips
Keep Your Home Locked
It sounds simple, but you’d be surprised how many people leave windows or doors unlocked. Make sure that sliding doors and windows have extra security, such as a track lock or dowel in the track.
Don’t Leave a Key Outside
If you need to provide access to your home while you’re away, leave your key with a trusted neighbor or friend.
Watch the Landscaping
Thick shrubs and bushes around your porch or yard can give thieves a good place to hide. Keep them well-trimmed and ensure that problematic areas are illuminated with your outdoor lighting.
Use Common Sense
If you’re going away on vacation, cancel your newspaper and other deliveries. Ask a neighbor to keep watch and park a car out front. Don’t post publicly on social media or leave a message on your answering machine or voicemail indicating that you’ll be away for an extended period.
Burglars do consider deterrents such as alarms, cameras, dogs, etc., when looking at targets, according to a study released by the University of North Carolina. So a small investment in security can make a big difference!
It’s a Great Time for a Home Inventory
If your home was burglarized, would you know what was missing? A home inventory is a crucial tool to help replace everything that was lost. And we can help you do one! Give us a call at or visit (610) 413-9880 our website at www.berkshireinsuranceservices.com to learn more.
Protect Your Home With Homeowners Insurance
At Berkshire Insurance Services, we can work with you to make sure you’ve got the Homeowners Insurance coverage you need, while at the same time using all possible credits and discounts to make that coverage affordable. Just give us a call at (610) 413-9880 or send us a note at cheryl@berkshireinsuranceservices.com. We want to help you meet your goals, and make sure what’s important to you is protected!
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