The term burglary refers to the physical illegal entry into a building for the purposes of theft or some other offense. In the United States, statistics show that there are more than 5 million home burglaries per year. These burglaries are highly preventable by taking the following precautions:
1) Keep track of all keys –
Make a set number of keys for the home or business and hand them out to trusted employees only. Have all keys stamped with “do not duplicate” on them and keep any unused keys in a safe. Remember to keep a log of all keys issued.
2) All windows and doors should be secured –
Ensure that all sliding glass windows have locking pins, bolts or latches to prevent them from being opened from the outside of the property. In most burglaries, the criminals break into a house by kicking in the front door or forcing the lock. The frame of all doors should be as strong as the door. Glass doors should be installed with burglar-resistant glass.
3) Close up any additional entryways –
Put metal grates over any ventilation openings, crawl holes or skylights.
4) Maintain fire escapes -
Secure all fire ladders on the rooftop or away from the building so thieves cannot use them for upper level access.
5) Light things up! –
More light means less potential for criminal activity. Burglars prefer to work under the darkness of the night, so install floodlights and maintain bright lighting to illuminate any activity.
6) Make your home look occupied –
If you go away on vacation, leave lights on inside and make sure the lawn will continue to be mowed. Have a neighbor pick up all the daily newspapers and flyers at your front door.
7) Be Conscious of Facebook –
Do not post information on Facebook that can lead a burglar to your home. For example, don’t say “We’re in Italy until August 5, so excited!”.
8) Never leave keys in obvious places –
Don’t leave your keys under the front mat, or in a flower pot by the front door. This makes it too easy to walk right in.
Following these effective tips will greatly reduce your chances of being burglarized. Of course, on top of all this, if you can afford an alarm system, use it.
If you have been criminally indicted for breaking and entering, theft or stealing, you will most likely need to fulfill a court order to take a theft education class. Ask your judge if you can take the class online. Online theft classes can be taken from any web-based computer in your home. They provide the convenience to take them at any time of the day or night. There is nothing to download or print-out. Basic computer skills is all you need to be on your way. Be sure to enroll in a class that is developed by a licensed therapist. These programs are interesting and contain all the same information that you would get in a classroom setting, but without having to miss time at work or school.
