It is an unfortunate reality that there continues to be people in our own city who will break into your home or business and steal your stuff.
Crime Statistics
- A residential break-in happens every 90 seconds in Canada.
- More than 80% of break-ins occur during daylight hours.
- Most illegal entries are made by amateur burglars without the use of sophisticated tools.
- Most burglars enter through a basement or ground-floor door or window.
- Most burglars rely on concealment, speed and force to gain entry to a building.
Crime Prevention Tips
To best protect your home, look at it from a burglar’s perspective. What are the vulnerable parts? Burglary is almost always a crime of opportunity. Reduce your odds of being affected by crime by taking some preventative steps.
Securing Your Premises
There are many things that you can do to the exterior of your building or in your yard/compound to deter burglars and make it more difficult to force entry.
- Keep your shrubbery cut back so it doesn’t block windows and doors.
- Illuminate as much of your property as possible.
- Exterior doors should be solid, not hollow. Metal doors provide the best protection against forced entry.
- Use a fencing style that won’t conceal a burglar’s activities. Remember, if you can’t see out, others can’t see in.
- Secure any glass that is less than 100 cm or 40 inches from a door lock. Either coat exterior glass with an acrylic or polycarbonate to strengthen, or replace it with laminated or tempered glass.
- Door hinges that are on the outside should have a non-removable center pin that can’t be tampered with.
- Install deadbolt locks.
- Place hinged security bars over windows.
- Pin sliding patio doors together when closed.
- Ensure that a burglar cannot access the roof from high trees or a ladder left outside.
- At home, especially after Christmas, the empty boxes on the curb reveal what wonderful new toys you have. Break down the boxes and conceal them in the recycling or trash bins.
There is no perfect deterrent to protect your premises against a burglar. However, statistics show the chance of being broken into is significantly reduced if you have a 24-hour monitored alarm system. Alarm systems can also monitor smoke, fire, carbon monoxide and water leaks, getting help there sooner, minimizing damage and danger.
What Not To Do
- Don’t install a nameplate outside of your home with your full name. A burglar can use this information to find your number in the phone book and call to see if you are home.
- Don’t leave a note on the door or in the mailbox telling a friend or family member that you aren’t home.
- Don’t leave spare keys in an obvious place such as the mailbox or under a door mat.
- Don’t leave cash and handbags in plain sight.
- Don’t leave any doors unlocked when you are at the other end of your home or in your yard.
Upon the discovery of a break-in, and after the incident has been reported to the police, you should contact your insurance broker to arrange a time to meet with an adjuster.