Summer is upon us, and while the appeal of warmer weather and lazy days gives us something to look forward to, it’s also enticing to those who make their living from breaking the law. According to a report by the Bureau of Justice Statistics, which is a division of the United States Department of Justice, crimes like burglary and larceny occur more often in the summer than the fall.
Over the last two years, Franklin, Tennessee made the news for a series of burglaries. The first, reported by Nashville-based ABC-affiliate WKRN, involved two teenagers who were breaking into and stealing items from homes and vehicles in the Fieldstone Farms, Chestnut Bend, and Westhaven subdivisions. The other, reported by The Franklin Home Page, stated, “The city has seen a 22 percent increase in burglaries from cars this year compared to last year. In the first six months of 2018 there were 116 reports of vehicles burglaries, compared to 95 during the same period in 2017.”
Since summer is also a popular time to travel, many will be leaving their homes and vehicles unattended for long periods of time, making them all the more tempting to thieves. What are some practical ways to protect your property during vacation time?
- Ask for help-have friends or loved ones regularly check on your home and vehicle in your absence.
- Make arrangements about your mail-burglars look for mail piling up at the door or in the mailbox as a sign that the homeowners are away for an extended period of time. Either have someone pick up your mail each day or request a hold from the Post Office in your absence.
- Secure all entrances-make sure you have quality locks on your doors, windows, and garage and they are all locked before you leave. According to Consumer Reports, “No less than 30 percent of burglars gain access to a home through an unlocked window or door…” Garage doors often prove a weak link for giving burglars easy entry, as automatic garage door openers can be easily hacked. However, this can also be easily prevented by simply unplugging the garage door opener before leaving on vacation.
- Consider some kind of alarm system-According to a study by The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, “Approximately 83 percent said they would try to determine if an alarm was present before attempting a burglary, and 60 percent said they would seek an alternative target if there was an alarm on-site. This was particularly true among the subset of burglars who were more likely to spend time deliberately and carefully planning a burglary.”
Not all thefts and home invasions can be prevented however, and that is why careful consideration of automobile, homeowners, and renters insurance is key. Scott and his team of independent insurance agents serve Brentwood, Franklin, Nashville, Spring Hill, and Middle Tennessee. Contact them today for coverage to provide peace of mind at home or away.