With summer in full swing, that means more time away from home with pool time and vacations. Less time at home potentially opens up more opportunity for burglars to target your personal property.

A study released by the US Dept. of Justice in 2014 found a definite correlation between the season and the crime rate. Researchers found that crime rates are 11% higher in summer for home break-ins. Household larceny (theft of property outside the home) is 8% higher.

Below are tips and maintenance items you can complete to help deter your home from becoming a victim!

• The best protection against burglary is visibility. Make sure to light up all entrances and consider motion sensor lights over garages. Keep bushes or trees trimmed so not to as provide a place for burglars to hide.
• Almost 30% of burglars enter a home through an unlocked door or window. Make sure all doors and windows are kept locked. Install heavy duty or dead bolt locks on all outside doors.
• Keep garage doors closed. Typically, since the door from the garage to the house is kept unlock, this allows an entry point for burglars. Close garage doors when finished outside or leaving the house.
• Most break-ins are committed by someone who lives within a few miles and could easily watch your routine. If going on vacation, ask a neighbor or relative to stop over regularly. Put mail/newspaper on hold so they don’t pile up!
• Don’t leave valuables sitting outside on porches or tables. Remember to bring inside when you come inside!
• Do not leave valuables in view. Burglars can peer through windows to “scope” out a house for valuables so make sure all your personal property is locked in a safe or locked box or hidden from view.
• Consider installing an alarm system and have it checked regularly. Make sure it is connected to go off at all points of entry, including doors, windows, and loading docks.

Octagon Building Care is a leader in commercial cleaning and building solutions for Fort Worth, Arlington, and Dallas. Follow us on Facebook for more great information.