Debunk common myth

There is a common myth that most burglaries happen at night. This is false! With an increasing number of parents having full-time jobs and kids either being in school or daycare, afternoon is the perfect time for a burglar to enter a home without being caught by anyone who lives in the house.

When do most burglaries happen?

Most burglaries take place between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Weekdays are prime time for prowling the neighborhood. Another myth is that many burglars are “cat-burglars,” which means that they are extremely stealthy and enter through a second-story window. This is also a myth; seven out of 10 burglars come right though the front door or adjacent windows. Their goal is to move quickly and silently following the line of least resistance. They don’t want to attract the attention of climbing though a second-story window.

Alarm systems deter burglars

Having an alarm sign or a window sticker makes the house less attractive to burglars. They tend to bypass these dwellings and look for houses that are unprotected. Plus, with a growing number of people investing in home security systems, crime rates have significantly decreased. Police are crediting more sophisticated alarm system and less “career burglars.”

Suburbs, an easy fix for lazy burglars

Wealth attracts attention and historically, criminals. Today’s burglars are usually drug addicts who need a quick fix; they take what they think they can sell for an easy dollar. These drug addict burglars tend to target suburbs because in most suburbs people have more expensive items that they can take and pawn. What they overlook, however, is that besides having sophisticated possessions, these homes also have sophisticated alarm systems. Even having the alarm company’s decal on the door may be enough to send a burglar looking for another house to enter.

Burglars may be lazy, but they are not stupid. Some burglars are smart enough to knock on the front door to see if anyone is home. If someone does come to the door, the burglars make up an excuse, such as they are collecting money for charity or selling merchandise and then are on their way to find their next target. If no one comes to the door and there are signs that the house is unoccupied, the burglars will go around to the back of the house and break in.

Studies show that home alarm systems reduce crime

A comprehensive study of five years of police records by Rutgers University found that residential burglar alarm systems decrease crime. Other studies have concluded that burglars avoid homes that are protected by home security systems; it makes the home less attractive to intruders. Technological innovations have increased the availability of home security systems to middle-class homeowners and have made the systems more dependable. There is there really is no reason why people should not be protecting their homes.

How does a security system work?

A security system consists of a control panel that functions as a central computer, receiving messages from a number of sensors that act as the eyes and ears of the system. If the system is “armed” and a signal is received by the panel, it automatically dials a central monitoring station via a built-in telephone communicator, which then alerts the proper authorities.

Knowing how the system works is very important. Teach your kids and other family members how to use the system. The keypad is simple to operate and easy to read; even in the dark, you can choose the level of protection you want, such as “STAY,” “AWAY,” or “NIGHT” and a password. When you leave the house, AWAY completely arms your system, STAY protects your windows and doors and free movement inside, NIGHT before you go to bed for security that includes motion detectors. The system is easy and simple to use.

Some home security systems may cost more than the possessions burglars are likely to take from your home. But having a system does provide peace of mind. A do-it-yourself system may be easier to use than a professionally installed system because you are able to arm and disarm the alarm yourself. However, they are more limited than a professionally installed system and may not provide all the reassurance you require. You should make sure to figure out your wants and needs when choosing a system that you are comfortable with. Consider the area you live in and the amount of security necessary to protect your home.

In the case that your home is burglarized and you are home, the security system could save your life and may be your only way to signal for help. Operators are trained how to determine a serious situation. Within 15 minutes, the police could be arriving at your home to take care of the situation. Having a security system essentially protects homes, lives, property and businesses, giving people peace of mind and comfort.