How to Prevent a Break-In

It’s not a pleasant topic, but one that merits at least a few minutes of your time. Break-ins occur. We read a statistic recently that break-ins take place once every 15 seconds. Certainly those doing the breaking-in don’t have a personal agenda to rob your apartment; in fact, they probably don’t even specifically target apartment dwellers, but it’s a fact that certain apartments ARE a prime target for break-ins.

Once every 15 seconds or so, these nameless, faceless intruders will break in somewhere, but you don’t have to put out the WELCOME, ROBBERS mat. In other words, don’t, by careless, unwise choices, tempt criminals to make a dishonest living in YOUR apartment. This is not meant to make you overly suspicious, but to help you to formulate a definite plan of action to deter break-ins.

In a nutshell, the secret is to make it inconvenient or, at the very least, unprofitable, to rob your home. “Why would I want to bother with that?” is what you want would-be robbers to think. “We wouldn’t get anything worthwhile for taking that risk”.

Here’s how to avoid being a break-in statistic:

• If someone were to look through your windows, whether you’re on the 1^st or the 10^th floor (remember, views across the street count, as well), would they see expensive electronics devices and the latest high-tech gadgets? Don’t advertise your wares if you are apt to own expensive or marketable items. Solution? Keep the blinds closed (but leave a light on…we’ll explain why in a second) or drape an attractive shawl across the length of the item in the back.
• Whether or not you’re home, don’t just close your blinds and leave the lights off, making it look like no-one’s home. A thief doesn’t look for trouble, and is less likely to intrude in an occupied home. Then there’s the “someone may be watching me” factor. A thief doesn’t want anyone observing his or her activities if they DO break in.
• Do you just have one or two doorknob locks…the kind where you slip in the key and turn once? For safety’s sake, install a deadbolt lock. Your landlord should pay for it. It’s going to increase the rental value and, ultimately, the sales value, of the unit.
• Do not get lax about checking that all doors and entryways are locked when you go out. Have a sliding glass door? Make sure it’s locked when you run to the store. Do you think it’d be OK “just this once” to walk the dog or skip down a few flights of stairs to speak to your neighbor without locking the door? Again, we don’t wish to make you suspicious or overly cautious, just smart. In those few minutes it takes you to NOT lock your door, you may become a very alert thief’s target.
• Finally, be aware that, if you do anything on a daily basis…if you have any set routine…it may signal to a thief that there are set moments of the day during which your apartment is unoccupied; if there are any “weak links” or entry points that have been observed, this could possibly be when your apartment is targeted. Better to mix and match your routines to the extent that you can.

Unfortunately, there are those who have the erroneous impression that the only way to make a living is at the expense of others. Again, don’t tempt them. By your following the above steps, you are refusing to participate in such people’s criminal assumptions…and perhaps giving them time to re-evaluate their choices. Either way, you’ll lessen the likelihood of a break in, and increase your safety.

Be aware…and think positively.