Breaking Down Breaking & Entering: 10 Surprising Home Burglary Facts
Breaking Down Breaking & Entering: 10 Surprising Home Burglary Facts
1. 34% of burglars walk right through the front door
2. The majority of break-ins are committed by burglars who live nearby
3. A burglary, on average, happens once every 30 seconds in the United States.
4. The average loss from a burglary is $2,661- and the emotional toll may be even higher.
5. Breaks-ins are one of the most feared property crimes.
6. Most burglaries happen in broad daylight.
7. Burglaries rise in the summer.
8. Someone is at home during about 3 out of every 10 break-ins!
9. Renters are especially a burglary target- a problem for landlords and tenants alike.
14 minute read
Home burglary is one of the most common and feared property crimes in the United States. In fact, homes are burglarized every 18 seconds in the United States, alone! Thinking too much about home burglary can be stressful, and for good cause- it causes both monetary and financial devastation. But the number one way to protect yourself and your property is to know what you’re up against so you can know what measures to take to prevent burglary.
Learn the shocking stats and ways that criminals breach your home- and the best ways to protect your family, property, and belongings.
Here are 10 home burglary facts that everyone should know, as well as ways to prevent it from happening.
1. 34% of burglars walk right through the front door
2. The majority of break-ins are committed by burglars who live nearby
You can protect yourself by varying your routine. You can do this by investing in home automation to make it seem like you are home when you aren’t. This is one of the best ways to make your home an undesirable target to those close to you or scoping out your property.
3. A burglary, on average, happens once every 30 seconds in the United States.
Over 3000 burglaries on an average day
2 burglaries per minute
This is a conservative estimate- the FBI reports it could be as high as every 22 seconds.
There are an estimated 2.5 million burglaries committed every year in the United States.
66% of these burglaries were classified as home invasion.
Homeowners report burglary being one of the top property crime worries
4. The average loss from a burglary is $2,661- and the emotional toll may be even higher.
Upgrading home security may seem like a hefty cost, but it is recouped when figuring in a single, isolated burglary incident. This is especially true when considering that repeated break-ins are especially likely if the criminal feels the home is an easy target.
Out of a survey of nearly 700 victims, 67% of respondents noted that their mental health suffered as a result of a break in. 63% of respondents had trouble sleeping afterwards. 50% of respondents noted that the criminal damaged or stole sentimental items deemed irreplaceable.
5. Breaks-ins are one of the most feared property crimes.
In a survey by Policy Advice, 58% of respondents feared a break-in occurring while they were asleep
60% of respondents feared break-in when they weren’t home.
Break-ins were more feared than theft, fraud, and other property crimes.
6. Most burglaries happen in broad daylight.
FBI data confirms this:
45% of all reported burglaries happened during the day
38% of reported burglaries happen at night.
Some statistics show that this trend may be changing and nighttime burglaries might be growing.
7. Burglaries rise in the summer.
8. Someone is at home during about 3 out of every 10 break-ins!
The only thing worse than getting your house broken into is getting your house broken into while you’re home. According to the United States Department of Justice, victims have been home during 28% of burglaries. 7% of these victims experience a violent crime as a result of said burglary.
9. Renters are especially a burglary target- a problem for landlords and tenants alike.
Homes with no security gates or security systems are 300% more likely to be broken into.
Many burglars find rentals to be an easy target since they don’t typically have these security measures.
7.2% of burglaries result in injury- which should be of utmost concern to tenants serious about their security and landlords who want to make sure their tenants and properties are safe.
This problem affects both landlords and tenants. No one wants to live somewhere unsafe. Installing a gate operator can help keep residents safe, reduce break-ins, and make a more secure apartment complex- resulting in more occupants and higher revenues.
10. Burglaries are showing an overall downward trend.
The most up to date and current crime information shows that burglaries actually fell almost 10 percent in the last few years. The US Department of Justice found over a 56% drop in burglaries from 1993 to 2011. While this may seem like good news, there is still cause for concern. Even though burglaries are decreasing, in 2019 alone there were over 3 billion dollars in losses in the United States as a result of this crime! That is a ridiculously high amount.
The bad news- Up to 40% of Americans don’t do anything at all to prevent burglaries.
No matter what kind of property you have, there is a gate operator that can protect your investment. Both electric sliding gate openers and electric swing gate openers can help secure your home and belongings, providing peace of mind and security for you and your loved ones.
Don’t post about not being home! Posting on social media may seem fun, but posting beach pics and checking in shows thieves you aren’t home. Burglaries aren’t always committed by strangers, either. A thief could be right under your nose- hiding in your friend or followers lists!
Make sure you have insurance. This helps to protect valuables! You probably already have homeowners insurance if you own your home, but if you rent, make sure you get renters’ insurance. This can really save you a ton of money if you do end up being the victim of a break-in!
Keep your yard tidy. Criminals just adore a landscape that isn’t well maintained. Keep trees and bushes trimmed so they don’t offer respite as a hiding spot for criminals. If you do go on vacation, keep up yard work, including mowing the lawn. If you let your otherwise tidy lawn get unruly, that’s a key indication for thieves that you aren’t home.
Install a home security system. An alarm system is cheaper than you might think- and certainly costs less than a break-in. DIY systems start at less than $200 with monitoring as cheap as $5 each month. Home security systems are more likely to deter criminals as they want to get in and out as easily as possible.
Talk to the landlord. As you know from this list, renters are at a high risk of burglary and break-in. Talk to your landlord about security concerns if you are worried. You can also look for home security systems that are compact and meant for renters.
Do what you can now. Don’t put off home security until after property crime happens. You don’t have to do everything at once. Do what you can to mitigate risk, and you’re well on your way to having a more secure home.
Eagle Operators is here to help you. We have gate operators for every home, landscape, or business. Installing a security fence and automatic gate opener is a great way to deter would-be criminals and keep your home, family, property, and belongings safe- as well as have peace of mind.
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