Summer, summer, summer time! While Chicagoland is our favorite place in the summer months, many choose to take a family vacation while the kids are off school. Whether you’re going on a short camping trip or a prolonged overseas adventure, it’s critical to make sure your home is protected from burglaries while you’re away.
A burglary takes place about every eighteen seconds in the United States. That adds up to nearly 200 per hour, and approximately 4,800 every day. In Chicago alone, June, July and August have an average of 1,492 more property crimes than any other month of the year, according to a Chicago Tribune crime report.
Before taking off on vacation, it is important for homeowners to make sure they will not return to an empty or ransacked home. Here are 3 expert-recommended tips for avoiding burglaries while on vacation.
1. Invest in a Home Security System
Based on a report by the University of North Carolina at Charlotte’s Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology, about 60% of convicted burglars stated the presence of a security system influenced their decision to target another home.
Monitored security systems are much more available today than ever before, and your wallet doesn’t have to take a hard hit either. Check out SafeHome.org’s top 10 security systems here. Make sure your system is on full display to potential thieves, and use your system’s promotional yard signs and window stickers to highlight it further.
2. Protect Your Windows
Almost 30% of burglars enter a home through an unlocked door or window. First floor windows are especially well-liked by burglars—particularly when a burglar can be concealed behind overgrown vegetation.
Security window films like 3M Safety and Security Window Films, or fragment retention films, allow you to protect your home by greatly reducing the damage caused by burglary attempts. These safety and security films deter would-be felons by creating an effective barrier between your home and burglars. By strengthening your windows with these security films from Midwest Solar Control, you delay a burglar’s progress and give yourself more time to call the authorities.
3. Make it Appear that Someone is Always Home
If a house is dark, the mail is piled up and the lawn is getting long, then a burglar may see this as a chance to act. Doing simple things like having a neighbor or friend come in just to do simple maintenance or by leaving lights on can prevent a breach of security.
Sadly, the majority of break-ins are committed by burglars who live nearby and most criminals can burglarize a home in less than ten minutes so be careful with who you tell online. Posting your vacation plans on social media networks could result in an untrustworthy individual being made aware that your home will be unoccupied for an extended period of time.
Final Thoughts
Summer vacations may be fun, but they can also be costly if you aren’t careful about leaving your home protected. Using a monitored home security system, properly protecting your windows and taking other effective precautions can help protect your family from a burglary while you’re on vacation.
For more information on how Midwest Solar Control can help keep your home safe this summer, contact us here – Our team of experts are ready to assist you.