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In the United States, a home is burglarized every 22 seconds, and too often, these crimes could have been prevented with a bit of residential crime education. Understanding how burglars operate and the steps needed to secure your property can significantly reduce your risk of becoming a target.

The more you learn about residential crime, the better equipped you are to protect yourself and your home. By applying effective crime prevention tips and making simple adjustments, you can keep your family and property safe. Here’s what home security expert Jordan Frankel, Vice President of Global Security Experts, Inc., believes is essential to know.

Residential Crime Education: The Statistics

An important part of residential crime education is knowing the facts. Each year, the FBI compiles and publishes crime data in its Uniform Crime Report (UCR), which offers a comprehensive look at crime trends across the U.S. According to the UCR’s data for 2017:

  • Over 1.4 million burglaries occurred, with about 67% targeting residential properties.
  • Residential burglaries resulted in losses totaling $3.4 billion.
  • Approximately 58% of these crimes involved forced entry, while 38% took place through unlocked doors and windows.
  • Homes face the highest risk of burglary during the daytime, when residents are often at work or school.

Though recent years show a slight decline in burglaries, largely due to increased awareness and home security advancements, it’s crucial not to let your guard down. Residential crimes still affect millions, and many occur simply because residents lack a solid home security plan.

Understanding Crime from a Criminal’s Perspective

A crucial part of residential crime education is seeing things from a criminal’s perspective. Most intruders want an easy entry and quick exit without being seen or caught. Here’s what to consider:

  • Ground-level windows and doors are the most vulnerable points in a home.
  • Side and rear doors and windows are common entry points, as they are less visible to neighbors.
  • Burglars often choose targets that appear easy to access, with minimal barriers in place.
  • Most burglars can break into a home in under two minutes, completing the crime in less than 10 minutes.

Knowing how intruders approach their crimes can help you take proactive steps to secure these vulnerable entry points.

Residential Crime Prevention: A Two-Step Plan

To apply residential crime education effectively, it’s important to perform a home security assessment and then create a crime prevention plan. This plan can reduce the likelihood of your home becoming a target for burglars.

Step 1: Perform a Residential Security Assessment

To start, walk around the perimeter of your property both during the day and at night. Look for weaknesses in your home security:

  • Inspect doors and windows. Are there any loose locks, hinges, or other areas that could be easily pried open?
  • Assess lighting and landscaping. Dark areas around your property can serve as hiding spots for intruders. Additionally, tall bushes near windows or doors provide cover for criminals. Look for ways to improve lighting, especially around these entry points.
  • Check upper-level access points. Trees, walls, and trellises around your property can be used to climb up to second-floor windows or balconies. Be mindful of any areas that provide easy access to these spots.

Step 2: Build a Home Security Plan

Once you’ve identified vulnerable areas, use this knowledge to create a home security plan that deters and prevents intruders. Since most residential crimes occur through doors and windows, fortify these areas first. Key home security tips include:

  • Upgrade entry doors. Replace hollow doors with solid wood or metal doors for added strength.
  • Reinforce door hinges. Use 2- to 3-inch steel screws on door hinges for increased resistance against forced entry.
  • Secure sliding doors and windows. Insert a metal rod or wooden dowel in the tracks to prevent them from being slid open.
  • Use anti-lift devices for vertical windows. Install anti-lift mechanisms on windows that slide up and down to prevent forced entry.
  • Install heavy-duty deadbolts and door braces. A high-quality deadbolt combined with a security door brace can make it nearly impossible for an intruder to break through.
  • Apply security-grade window film. Reinforce ground-level window and door glass with a security film like BurglarGARD to make them difficult to break through. This can delay intruders and deter them from continuing the break-in attempt.

Putting Residential Crime Education into Practice

Residential crime education is a powerful tool for reducing your risk of burglary or home invasion. But learning about crime prevention only helps if you take action. By implementing the home security measures discussed here, you’ll increase the safety of your home and gain peace of mind knowing you’ve taken steps to protect what matters most.

Don’t wait to become part of the next residential crime statistic. Start applying what you’ve learned today and make your home a less appealing target for criminals.