Keeping You and Your Home Safe From Burglars; What You Need To Know!

Published September 30, 2015 | By Dorien

Home Sweet Home, Except When a Burglar Wants What You Have!

Have you ever had the hair on the back your neck stand up? Ever have that instant feeling you know something is wrong?

This is a common occurrence when people come home to find a door or window broken in. Then they notice missing items from around the house. Then they quickly exit the house hoping whoever was there is now gone.

What’s missing? Family heirlooms, great grandmother’s diamond ring, or even a child’s piggy bank.

Result: The family feels violated and angry.

Could there have been a way to prevent a burglar from breaking in? We at Strand Security want to make sure you are safe here in Myrtle Beach.

To do this, it is important to get into the mind of a burglar.

What do burglars look for when casing a house?

First off, they will not be walking around in a ski mask. They will most likely be scoping out your house dressed as a utility worker (cable or electric repair). Door to door salesmen can easily get an idea of the inside of your house when you answer the door for them. Or perhaps they will just post a flyer, while they look for a burglar alarm.

When burglars are looking for the right house to burglarize, they look for privacy fences and trees or shrubbery. These fences and the vegetation may prevent neighbors from seeing what is about to happen.

Speaking of vegetation, if your yard is not manicured that may mean you are not around very much.

Jewelry is a hot ticket item. Knowing an adult female is living in the house is an added bonus because there is more than likely jewels to be taken.

Dogs, they always look for dogs. Big or small, their barks can give a lot of warning.

How do burglars break in once they’ve decided on their target?

First they will ring the doorbell to make sure no one is home, making up a bogus story if someone answers.

Next they will check all doors and windows to see if they are unlocked. If they are locked, they will check if an extra key has been hidden around the perimeter of the house.

If it comes down to it, they will break a window or use a handy-dandy crowbar to get in.

A burglar spends an average of 8 minutes in a house.

What do burglars want from your house?

Jewelry
Electronics
Money
Prescription drugs
Guns
Tools
Bikes
Clothes
Furniture

any or all of the above!

Do you have these items in your home?

10 Simple Ways to Prevent Burglaries or Deter a Potential Burglar

Install a security system and advertise the fact. Put stickers on the windows and a sign out front. Make sure the system is always activated!
Install security cameras.
Consider adopting a dog and/or post ‘beware of dog’ signs around the house.
Install motion-sensitive lights.
Add stoppers to the windows and deadbolt locks to the doors.
Leave the TV or stereo on while gone.
Do not announce new big ticket items purchased by leaving boxes on the curb.
Keep the garage door closed and locked.
Do not allow for mail and newspapers to build up.
Keep vegetation under control.

What the FBI has to say about burglaries!

(using 2010 data, the most recent data available)

There were an estimated 2,159,878 burglaries in the United States.
Burglaries increased 2.0 percent compared to the 2001 estimate.
Burglary accounted for 23.8 percent of the estimated number of property crimes committed.
Of all burglaries, 60.5 percent involved forcible entry, 33.2 percent were unlawful entries
Victims of burglary offenses suffered an estimated $4.6 billion in lost property.
Burglaries of residential properties accounted for 73.9 percent of all burglary offenses.

If you do not have a security system yet, we strongly urge you to get it taken care of today! Start here.