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Is your Home a Likely Burglary Target?

Let’s Get into the Mind of a Burglar

UNC-Charlotte conducted a study to learn the motivations and habits of burglars. Understanding these motivations and habits helps us defend against theft more effectively. 

Selecting the Target

The study found homes to be the burglar’s primary target, with commercial buildings next in popularity. Further, burglars most often consider the following factors while choosing their target. How does your home stack up?

The sure sign of a safe, satisfied customer

Deterrence

Several studies agree that the mere presence of an alarm system is the single most important deterrent strategy. The UNC-Charlotte Study (among others) specifically found that would-be burglars typically look for another target when they see home security equipment or signs

The Plan

Burglars most often follow a pattern when breaking into a home, only one in eight pick locks. Most burglars force open windows or doors to gain entry and once inside they want to maximize their time for high-dollar items. Most start with the master bedroom and end with the kitchen.

According to one study respondent, “People leave things in the same basic locations could have done it with my eyes shut.” So, one security strategy includes putting valuables in places where they are least expected to be found.

Timing

Many historical statistics show that most burglaries happen in the afternoon, when people are likely to be out of the home. This UNC-Charlotte Study found that the timing preferences of burglars differed depending on whether the perpetrator was male or female. Males tended to break into homes later in the day. This demonstrates that a 24/7 professionally monitored security system is an important security tool. 

In summary, the houses most prone to burglary are the detached homes, those located close to a highway entrance, and those without alarm systems. When it comes to precautionary measures, the combination of precautions and a home security reduces the probability of burglary significantly. Luckily there is a wide variety of choices for alarm equipment now available, ranging from wireless sensors, sirens,  driveway/entry alerts, and handheld keyfobs. Modern technology enables you to receive real time alerts on your tablet or smartphone. When it comes to surveillance, video serves as the eyes that watch our home, family and valuables 24/7.

Keeping entry points locked, installing alarm systems and cameras, and being a good, observant neighbor around is still the best plan. Since expert burglars appear to be highly habit driven, we all should make security a habit. Remember, it is not only the material possessions that are at risk, but more importantly, the safety of loved ones.

Get inside the Mind of a Burglar here.

Get Started Now

Tell us a little about yourself and be sure to use the FIRSTMONTHFREE promo code for even more savings. Our team offers no-hassle onsite security and safety assessments and gives you options to consider that work within your budget.

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About Alarm Engineering

Locally owned Alarm Engineering has been securing Delmarva since 1985. In that time, we have earned our reputation for integrity, reliability, and quality with our emphasis on superior service to our customers. We know you have choices when it comes to your security system, so here are some things you should know about our team.

Alarm Engineering is leading provider of electronic security systems and services in Delaware and the Eastern Shores of Maryland and Virginia. From integrated home security systems with home automation and video to large enterprise-level integrated systems and small business solutions, our highly trained and professional staff will get the job done right. As an Authorized Alarm.com dealer, we offer exclusive Crash and Smash technology, Geo-Fencing and LiftMaster Garage Control, and the Doorbell Camera as part of our Home Automation offerings.

For more about what sets us apart from the crowd, click here or give us a call at 410-546-2210. But don’t just take our word for it: check out our five star Google Reviews.

ex-burglars reveal it only takes 2 minutes to break into a home with no visible alarm system and 78% say that an alarm system would make them target a different home entirely.

What Burglars Look For & How to Deter Them

Burglars are increasingly using social media outlets to isolate and track potential victims. A recent survey of some former burglars shed some light on what they look for and what deters them. Here are the five most common mistakes homeowners make, according to ex-burglars:

  • Leaving windows open
  • Leaving valuables in plain sight to passersby
  • Posting whereabouts on social media sites
  • Hiding keys near the front door
  • Leaving postal deliveries out

In the same survey, ex-burglars reveal it only takes 2 minutes to break into a home with no visible alarm system and 78% say that an alarm system would make them target a different home entirely.

Get Started Now

Contact our team or a free, no obligation quote on adding an alarm system in your home or upgrading your current system with remote locking features to eliminate the need for keys under your mat.

We can also professionally monitor and service most systems installed by other companies. If you aren’t thrilled with your current alarm company’s annual price increases or poor customer service, learn about Alarm Engineering difference here or tell us a little about you and remember to use the promo code FIRSTMONTHFREE for additional savings.

  • This field is hidden when viewing the form
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

About Alarm Engineering

Locally owned Alarm Engineering has been securing Delmarva since 1985. In that time, we have earned our reputation for integrity, reliability, and quality with our emphasis on superior service to our customers. We know you have choices when it comes to your security system, so here are some things you should know about our team.

Alarm Engineering is leading provider of electronic security systems and services in Delaware and the Eastern Shores of Maryland and Virginia. From integrated home security systems with home automation and video to large enterprise-level integrated systems and small business solutions, our highly trained and professional staff will get the job done right. As an Authorized Alarm.com dealer, we offer exclusive Crash and Smash technology, Geo-Fencing and LiftMaster Garage Control, and the Doorbell Camera as part of our Home Automation offerings.

For more about what sets us apart from the crowd, click here or give us a call at 410-546-2210. But don’t just take our word for it: check out our five star Google Reviews.

 Professional installation, 24/7 monitoring and the deterrence factor of yard signs/decals significantly reduce your likelihood of a break in, according to a Rutgers study. Here are 10 other things you can do now to continue to dissuade a burglar from choosing your home

10 Quick Tips to Keep Your Home Secure

A burglary occurs somewhere in the United States every 15.4 seconds.

A big first step of securing your home and/or business with a monitored Alarm Engineering security system. Professional installation, 24/7 monitoring and the deterrence factor of yard signs/decals significantly reduce your likelihood of a break in, according to a recent Rutgers study.

Here are 10 other things you can do now to continue to dissuade a burglar from choosing your home:

  1. More lighting. Burglars love dark corners and crevices. Increasing lighting around your property may convince a burglar to move on. Automatic light schedules in your home can also make your home looked lived in when you’re away.
  2. Take away hiding spots. Most burglaries happen in the late afternoon so high shrubbery or bushes in front of windows are a perfect entry point for would-be burglars. Keep your landscaping nicely manicured to decrease the likelihood a burglar can stay concealed while trying to break in. 
  3. Be a good neighbor. Keep on the lookout for your neighbor’s property and unusual behavior and ask your neighbors to do the same. Also create a neighborhood system where mail and newspapers are periodically collected so it’s not obvious that someone is away.
  4. Reign in social medial posts about your location. Whether you’re posting updates about your cousin’s out of town wedding or date night, keep in mind burglars are now casing social media for easy targets who they know aren’t home.
  5. Use high-quality doors and locks to decrease your vulnerability. 
  6. Cut out the spare keys. Burglars will be looking for the spare key under your mat. New lock technology can also allow you to lock or unlock your home remotely to let a visitor or worker in so you don’t need that spare key in the first place.
  7. Lock your windows! It sounds deceptively simple, but locking is a crucial step many people overlook.
  8. Sliding glass doors are especially vulnerable. In addition to having them contacted and monitored, take extra precaution by inserting a simple wooden dowel into the track, preventing or limiting movement.
  9. Invest in a safe. Keep your valuables in a locked safe and change the combination regularly. You can also receive SMS alerts on your phone when anyone enters a specific safe room or opens a certain cabinet.
  10. Don’t tempt a burglar. Keep empty electronics packaging off your curb and keep any tools or ladders out of plain sight. They can become easy targets, or worse, used as tools to break into your home. If you have an onsite NVR for video, consider a cloud solution instead.

Get Started Now

If you aren’t already protected by Alarm Engineering or if you might want to upgrade your current Alarm Engineering system, tell us a bit about you and we’ll provide your no-hassle customized quote.

  • This field is hidden when viewing the form
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

About Alarm Engineering

Locally owned Alarm Engineering has been securing Delmarva since 1985. In that time, we have earned our reputation for integrity, reliability, and quality with our emphasis on superior service to our customers. We know you have choices when it comes to your security system, so here are some things you should know about our team.

Alarm Engineering is leading provider of electronic security systems and services in Delaware and the Eastern Shores of Maryland and Virginia. From integrated home security systems with home automation and video to large enterprise-level integrated systems and small business solutions, our highly trained and professional staff will get the job done right. As an Authorized Alarm.com dealer, we offer exclusive Crash and Smash technology, Geo-Fencing and LiftMaster Garage Control, and the Doorbell Camera as part of our Home Automation offerings.

For more about what sets us apart from the crowd, click here or give us a call at 410-546-2210. But don’t just take our word for it: check out our five star Google Reviews.

 


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