The summer season has the highest number of home burglaries compared to the rest of the year. With windows kept open to let in the breeze and families leaving for long periods of time to go on vacation, there are many opportunities for burglars to break into your home. Keep these safety tips in mind to ensure that all of your personal belongings stay safe this summer.
- Secure your TV. Burglars do not spend a lot of time in a home, and if your TV is securely bolted to the wall, they will most likely not waste their time trying to take it off.
- Keep valuables hidden. Do not leave laptops, electronics, or jewelry in view while you are gone. Make sure they are hidden in drawers or away of the view of the windows.
- Shred junk mail. Junk mail such as credit card offers can include personal information which a burglar can use to steal your identity. Make sure to shred all documents that contain any important information.
- Keep your lawn well-manicured. An overgrown lawn is a good sign that nobody has been home for a while, making the house an easy target.
- Keep shrubs short. Shrubs and bushes provide great hiding spots for burglars. Keeping them short eliminates these hiding places.
- Pretend you have a dog. Investing in a “Beware of Dog†sign, even if you do not have a dog could be enough to deter a potential burglar from breaking in.
- Do not hide a key. If you are able to find your “hidden†key, so is a burglar. Give a spare key to a neighbor instead of hiding one on your property.
Most importantly, make sure your home and assets are covered with the proper homeowners insurance policy.
Contact the insurance professionals at Cook, Disharoon & Greathouse Insurance in Oakland, California for all of your homeowners insurance needs.
