Burglary Statistics

According to the FBI burglary statistics, only one in four burglars enter homes through forced entry. In other words, most burglaries involve entering via an open door or window. A study by Simon Hakim of Temple University revealed the following about where burglars enter a home:

• 81 percent of burglars enter the home from the first floor
• 34 percent entered through the front door
• 23 percent through a first-floor window
• 22 percent through the back door
• 9 percent through the garage
• 4 percent entered through a basement
• 4 percent through an unlocked entrance
• 2 percent through a storage area
• only 2 percent entered anywhere on the second floor.

A lot of the susceptible points of entry for burglars are easy to figure out, and involve homeowners getting lazy. How do burglars enter the home?

• Many burglars simply retrieve the key that you thoughtfully left beneath the welcome mat for them. Don’t make their job easier; leave it with a neighbor instead.
• They use a credit card to enter through a front or rear door, by jimmying open standard spring-operated locks. A metal deadbolt is an inexpensive deterrent.
• Unlocked windows on the first floor and sliding glass doors are a particularly easy entry point. Get in the habit of leaving them locked at all times.
• Turn your home alarm system on. According to a study in Connecticut, in 41 percent of alarmed homes that were burglarized, the security system was not turned on. Make sure you arm your system, and that all family members know how to use it.
• Many burglars enter by a locked front or rear door. Install solid or, better yet, metal-sheathed doors for all ground floor entrances.

Use these burglary statistics as a checklist to safeguard your home!