Top 10 Items Stolen During Burglaries
Burglary has a significant amount of inherent risk. Would-be burglars want to make sure what they steal is worth the effort and risk.
1) Burglars Steal Prescription Drugs
Nearly 70% of Americans take at least one prescribed drug, and almost half take two or more. That means a burglar searching for a fix or valuable drugs has a good chance of finding what they are looking for during a burglary.
2) Burglars Steal Jewelry
Jewelry is a popular item to steal among burglars. It is valuable and easy to collect and remove from a home. Often, we keep most of our jewelry in one place, so it is relatively easy to locate and take.
3) Burglars Steal Cash, Wallets, and Purses
Of course, the jackpot for burglars is finding money. Cash would be preferable, but they will do what they can with credit and debit cards from purses and wallets.
4) Burglars Steal Small Electronics
Anything valuable that can be packed out quickly and conspicuously is susceptible during a burglary. Laptops, video game systems, tablets, smartphones, and other small, expensive electronics are susceptible to being stolen during home invasions.
5) Burglars Steal Alcohol
Sometimes, it’s simply a liquor or wine collection that a would-be burglar is searching for in your home.
6) Burglars Steal Car Keys
Does your family have a designated spot for car keys? If keeping up with your keys is a challenge, a key hanger near the door could be the perfect solution to making sure you have them when you need them. However, that same key hanger could be an open invitation for a burglar to snag them in order to steal your vehicle later.
7) Burglars Steal Art
If you have valuable art prominently displayed in your home, it could be enticing to burglars searching for a quick score.
8) Burglars Steal Your Identity
Especially nefarious burglars may be looking for more than a quick score. Some will actually search through and take the information from your important documents with the goal of ultimately stealing your identity.
If they can get your credit card information, bank account numbers, and/or social security number, they could potentially do a lot of damage.
9) Burglars Steal Clothing and Shoes
As cumbersome as it might be to collect and transport clothing and shoes, it is not uncommon for these things to be the focus of a burglary.
10) Burglars Steal Your Peace of Mind
As much as burglars are stealing your personal items, they are taking something more valuable from your family, peace of mind. If you become the victim of a break-in, it is difficult to feel safe in your home. It is vital for homeowners to do everything they can to guard their homes against burglaries.
Protecting Your Home From Burglaries
How can you protect your home from burglaries? In a previous article, we provided six tips for protecting your home from burglaries:
- Prevent Potential Hiding Places
- Don’t Let Burglars Know You Are Not Home
- Install a Home Alarm System
- Upgrade Windows and Doors
- Always Double Check Locked Doors and Windows
- Change Your Locks As Necessary
You want to make your home less appealing to would-be burglars. You want to make sure your valuables are not displayed so prominently that they can be seen through your windows. Flood your property with security lights that make it more challenging for thieves to sneak around your property.
Fencing helps deter burglars from entering your yard and blocks them from getting a clear view of their entrance and escape routes.
One of the most important things you can do to protect your home and family is to install a quality security system. For many years, Integrity Security has been helping homeowners in the piedmont and foothills protect what matters most. A security system deters burglars from even trying to break into your home and will alert authorities for one bold enough to attempt to get inside.
If you are ready to discuss your security needs, reach out to the team at Integrity Security today.