How 9 Million Homeowners Could Have Prevented Property Crimes

Are you unknowingly enticing potential thieves to damage your property or break into your home?

While you want your home to be a welcoming environment for family and friends, you might be surprised how common habits might be inviting to criminals, too.

There were more than nine million property crimes in the United States in 2010, according to the FBI. This statistic includes vandalism, arson, larceny and theft.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk for burglary and property damage with these easy-to-follow tips, from our partners at Trusted Choice.

Make It a Point to Keep Everything Locked Up

While you probably lock your vehicle and the main points of entry into your home, you may overlook locking your fence gates, garage or garden shed from time to time.

Police strongly encourages homeowners and renters to lock all doors, windows, and any point of entry to their property to deter theft:

• An unlocked gate allows a thief access to your backyard, away from the view of your neighbors. Once inside your yard, a thief has more freedom to peer through windows and patio doors.
• Access to garages and garden sheds also gives a thief more tools to use to break into your home. For example, a ladder in your back yard could make it much easier for a criminal to enter your home from the second story—where windows are more likely to be unlocked.
• Tools such as drills, hammers, and crowbars are also kept in many sheds and garages and can be used to break windows and open doors.
• Even if a thief is unable to get into your home, your back yard likely has valuable items such as a barbeque grill or bicycle.

Get the Full List of Crime Prevention Tips >