Understanding home burglary behavior is important in understanding how to prevent break ins. Most happen during 10am-3pm when most people are not home. Many burglars tend to scout your house prior to a break in to see how hard/easy it would be to break in, and if you have anything of value to take.  

Set Up Protective Measures At Entry Points

Knowing that burglars size up a house before breaking in is beneficial, because now we know to make it less likely to be targeted, by setting up obvious security measures.

  • Install security devices
  • Locks for doors and windows, grates, bars, and bolts makes it more difficult to break in
  • Burglar alarms
  • Most effective ones will also notify outside services
  • Install Security cameras
  • Covery key entry points such as the front door, back door, and garage
  • Set up motion detected lights
  • Keep valuables out of sight
  • Make sure your values can not be seen from outside

Home Security Habits

  • Always keep your doors and windows locked when not at home
  • Make sure alarm systems are turned on
  • Avoid giving your personal info to strangers
  • Avoid announcing your plans publicly 
  • Ex. Vacation in February
  • Community crime lookout
  • Notify the authorities or neighborhood watch of suspicious strangers
  • Don’t give your house keys to a stranger
  • Ex. Don’t give your key ring to a valet attendant that has your car and house keys
  • Don’t hide your spare house keys in secret places outside your house
  • Ex. Don’t hide your key under the doormat

Security Tips When Away From Home

When you are away from home for a long period of time, it is important to maintain the look that you are still home.

  • Leave blinds open in their usual position
  • Let your dependable neighbors know when you plan to be away so they know to watch for any suspicious activity
  • Have any mail and packages held by the post office until you come back
  • Use automatic timers to turn lights on and off at times when you would be home
  • Wait to post on social media your vacation pictures until you are back home

What To Do If House Got Broken Into

  • Leave your house, and stay at a safe place
  • Once you are back, don’t touch anything as it can be used as evidence
  • Call the police and file a report
  • Call your insurance company
  • Renters or homeowners insurance
  • Call your bank to ensure your identity was not stolen
  • Take inventory of anything that was stolen or damaged
  • Take pictures and document everything
  • If you have security cameras, review the footage
  • Secure your home
  • Take care of your emotional wellbeing
  • Alert your neighbors of the incident
  • Call a Breckenridge theft and burglary criminal attorney to take legal action and recover your losses