How Crime Rates Spike In Summer and What to Do To Prevent Becoming a Victim
South Carolina Summer is Nearly Here!
Summer brings:
- swimming
- boating
- surfing
- hiking
- fishing
and an uptick in violent crime.
Yes, you read that right.
In summer months, crime rates go up!
Most of our readers live and work in either Horry County or Georgetown County – just like we, owners at Strand Security, do – and this all makes sense
More Daylight. Warmer Weather. Opportunity for Crime Rises.
While you would think that winter and darkness invite more crime, it’s the exact opposite.
Most home invasions happen between the hours of 10 AM -2 PM anyway!
As people spend more time outdoors, they are exposed to more people and thus crime rates can go up, especially in places where petty theft opportunities start (beach, boat docks, outdoor restaurants, tourist shopping strips etc.)
As far a summer crime spikes, here are the three most common reasons!
1
When looking at when violence was significantly higher, it turns out that during the summer crimes rates spike, compared to winter, spring and fall seasons.
Unfortunately, that includes crimes like rape and sexual assault, robbery, and aggravated assault. Among adults, simple assault is also more common in summer than in other months.
How to prevent this from happening to you?
- Go out in groups
- Have a plan, know where you are headed!
- Be aware of where you go and where you park
- Don’t wear expensive watches or jewelry, or flaunt them if your do
- Don’t bring wallets or purses to the beach and leave them unattended
- Share your location with friends and family when going on vacation
- While running or walking, don’t wear earbuds or headphones
You can not prevent all crime, but you can be vigilant about preventing crime. Most criminals go for unsuspecting victims and look for opportunities: they are not looking to confront hyper-aware people!
2
As the summer season heats up, so do property crimes. More tourists on the Grand Strand means more vehicles, more people and more possessions! Household burglary rates go up in summer as more vacation homes are now occupied!
Burglary is 11% more common in the summer than in the winter and for our area in South Carolina that makes total sense. Homes that are empty in winter, now have people with electronic equipment, computers, expensive phones, bikes, boats and surf boards, just to name some property that is easily stolen!
If you are vacationing on the Grand Strand, or have ‘toys’ like boats, bikes and surfboards, make sure to lock them up when you are not around! Crime of opportunity is always there, but with extended daylight hours, there is more time for criminals to steal!
3
Next, let’s address beach crime. With over 60 miles of beachfront on the Grand Strand, beach crime rates increase drastically in summer months, as more people come to Myrtle Beach to vacation. While it’s tempting to bring ‘everything but the kitchen sink’ to the beach, especially if you have a large family, let us recommend you leave valuables at home, or in a safe at your vacation rental!
Beach crimes are an equal opportunity crime! No matter who you are, if you leave your things on the beach unattended you run the risk of getting your things stolen. Chairs, shoes but also surf boards, wallets, purses and phones!
TO be safe, always leave someone at your beach station to watch over your things, or leave all valuables behind. Don’t assume that those around you will speak up when someone will try to walk off with your property. Most beach-goers don’t and won’t as they might not see it, or not know whether to intervene, or not.
Preventing petty beach crime is as easy as not bringing anything of value with you for a day of fun!
4
As mentioned in #2, the nicer weather brings us outside with our outdoor toys. Boats, surf boards but also motercycles, bicycles, basketball hoops, eBikes, sports equipment, tools and surround sound home systems. Yes, your nice new Sonos speaker could be stolen as well.
The first line of defense is a home security system with both indoor and outdoor cameras, the second line of defense is locking thing up when not in use! We know this is easier said than done because… kids! Right? We know kids leave bikes out, toys out and forget to put them back inside.
A home security system, a security sign, visible security cameras – these deterrents all help prevent crime of opportunity!
Don’t become a Summer Crime Statistic!
Prevention, prevention, prevention.
Now that you’ve read this blog, be aware. Share with your family. Make a plan. We encourage you to have fun, but also choose your activities wisely and always lock up expensive toys and sports equipment as well as all your tech!
If you need help, give us a call! Stay safe and have a wonderful summer.
How to Keep Kids Safe at Home This Summer: Water Safety Tips
Ocean, Pools, Rivers, Lakes and Other Bodies of Water
When I grew up, I only went to the beach a few times each summer and the pool I swam in was a community pools at the local rec center. I remember learning how to swim, getting a certificate and always looking for the lifeguard for guidance on when to swim and when to get out of the pool or the ocean.
While lifeguards still man the public pools and public beaches, there are a lot of private pools, beaches and other bodies of water that pose a danger to our children.
In the Myrtle Beach area, we have not only the atlantic ocean, but also the Intercoastal Waterway, rivers and private community pools, almost none pay a lifeguard to be on duty!
Kids want to play with friends, we visit friends on weekends, maybe we go to a hotel for the weekend to relax and guess what, the hotel has a pool too!
Today, we will be taking a closer look at water safety and kids, as South Carolina families spend a lot of time in, on and near water in the summer!
Risk of Drowning | Kids
From the CDC website we learn:
drownings are a leading cause of injury death for young children ages 1 to 14, and three children die every day as a result of drowning. In fact, drowning kills more children 1-4 than anything else except birth defects.
They go on to state:
thankfully, parents can play a key role in protecting the children they love from drowning.
FACT: No one is drown-proof, and drowning doesn’t discriminate.
FACT: Drowning is fast and silent. It can happen in as little as 20-60 seconds. Drowning doesn’t always look like we would expect.
Would you like to know what you can do to prevent drowning? Let’s learn together!
Four Key Tips to Prevent Drowning
- Learn life-saving skills. As a parent, learn CPR. Sign your child(ren) up for swimming classes.
- Install a fence around your pool. A four–sided fence, with self–closing and self–latching gates, around backyard swimming pools is a must. Keep children away from the area when they aren’t supposed to be swimming. Pool fences should completely separate the house and play area from the pool.
- Require a lifejacket. Teach your kids to wear life jackets in and around natural bodies of water, such as lakes, even if they know how to swim. Life jackets can be used in and around pools for weaker swimmers too.
- Stay Alert. When kids are in or near water (including bathtubs), closely supervise them at all times. Drowning happens quickly and quietly, adults watching kids in or near water should avoid distracting activities like playing cards, reading books, and talking on the phone.
The Importance of Home Pool Rules
If you own a pool, set some ground rules. Rules about who can come over, when they can swim, and when it’s not ok to swim. Have a conversation with your own child(ren) and teenager and make sure that kids who come over, with or without a parent, also know your pool rules.
For adults visiting, consider creating a sign with pool rules and placing it on the pool deck, as a reminder of the importance of pool safety!
Technology is Not a Substitute for Parental Supervision
While technology can help prevent disaster around bodies of water, technology cannot replace adult supervision!
Technology that can help keep kids safe includes:
- pool alarms
- window alarms
- door chimes
- outdoor security cameras
- security locks
and more!
Keep Kids Safe Around All Water Activities!
Small children can drown in a large bucket (and they are top heavy). Kids have drowned in hot tubs, bathtubs, pools, waterparks, rivers, lakes, oceans and more!
No matter where you go, keep an eye on your kids at all times when you are near water.
Have a fun and safe summer!
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