3 Ways to Avoid Being Targeted by a Burglar

Becoming a victim of burglary is one of the most common anxieties people have, and for good reason. According to the F.B.I., there were 2.1 million burglaries reported in the United States in 2010, which accounted for 23.8 percent of all property crimes in 2010. These victims lost an estimated $4.6 billion in property, amounting to an average of $2,119 lost for each offense. 

People want to be able to protect their family and property at all costs, and burglary is one crime that can be avoided if you take the right steps to prevent it. Sometimes installing a nice home security system can give you peace of mind, but there are other things you can do to avoid being targeted by robbers. Keep your home and personal information safe by following these tips.

Be aware of your garbage

Once most people are done with things, they will throw them in a garbage can without giving it another thought. That line of thinking could easily make you the target of a robber. If you recently got a flat screen TV, computer, or other expensive electronic, don't throw the box it came in on the curb as soon as you unpack it. Boxes for expensive items are basically advertisements for thieves, so wait until garbage day to put it out. Also, be sure to not throw out any mail or paper that has personal information on it; always shred these documents. While we're on the topic of throwing out papers, we should mention…

Secure your mail box

In a world where people do a lot of their shopping online, most people are concerned about having their identities stolen by a cyber-criminal. Online identity theft is still an important problem, but your mail is still a popular way for identity thieves to get their hands on your personal information. Installinga locking curbside mailbox can help eliminate the problem of mail theft, and help ensure everything you receive will be safe.

Don't make it obvious when you aren't home

Burglars will usually strike when they're sure that their targeted house is empty, so you should do whatever you can to make it difficult for them to see if your home still has people in it. Invest in a lamp or a TV with a timer that can turn the device on at a certain time to make it seem like somebody is using it. Don't leave your curtains and blinds open wide enough so that people can see inside easily. Also, turn down your telephone ringer so that they can't tell that the phone is going unanswered.

By taking certain precautions, you can drastically decrease the likelihood of having your home or identity compromised. For mail security specifically, check out Forsite's locking mailboxes or contact us today!