6 tips for burglary prevention

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, burglaries of residential properties accounted for 72.6 percent of all burglary offenses in the U.S. in 2009.
The state of Florida had the third-most burglaries nationwide with 181,884 total reported cases, lead by Texas with 240,233 and California with 230,137 cases.
As with most crime, the best protection is deterrence.


So here are 5 tips for discouraging burglars to target your home:

1. Install an alarm system and place warning stickers on all accessible windows and doors. If you live in a house, also post a sign on your front lawn.
2. Place "Beware of Dog" signs in your yard or on your fence, even if you don't have a pet.
3. Install automatic light timers inside and outside your home, especially when you are gone for the night.
4. When you go to bed, keep your keys and cell phone by your bedside.
5. Don't leave empty boxes for recently purchased electronics outside your home. Take the packaging to a dumpster instead to avoid attracting burglars.
6. Ask your neighbors to keep an eye on your place when you are gone and offer to do the same for them in return.

A good neighborhood watch program can be very useful in keeping the crime rate low. You should also consider home owners or renters insurance to be covered in the event of a burglary.