Did you know that property crime happens more often in the summer and fall months than in the winter and spring? According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, both burglary and household larceny occur more often in the summer.

Did you know that property crime happens more often in the summer and fall months than in the winter and spring? According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, both burglary, the unlawful entry into a home with the intent to commit a crime, and household larceny, the unlawful removal of property, occur more often in the summer. Many of these cases tend to take place during the day when nobody is home, between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. when occupants are likely to be at work. Of the 10,785 burglary offenses reported in Kentucky by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in 2022, 6,775 were residential cases, and of those, 3,849 (57%) happened during the daytime.

Thieves want to be in and out of a house as quickly as possible. In fact, most burglaries occur in under 10 minutes, so any precautions that can be taken to slow them down is worth it. Don’t fall victim to theft if you can help it. Protect yourself, your family, and your home with these tips below. 

• Invest in a home security system and video surveillance cameras. Make sure to place cameras where they are visible but not able to be damaged by unwanted visitors.
• Inspect your home by walking around and taking note of anything that could be a weak spot, such as tall shrubbery that thieves could use to hide or conceal themselves, no visible security features, or valuables that can be easily seen through windows. A home security checklist, such as this one from the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC), is a great resource to use to be extra sure that your home is as safe as possible.
• Verify that all locks have been changed since you moved in, and don’t keep the spare key under the doormat or in a flowerpot. Entrusting it with a neighbor or family member or keeping it in a hidden lockbox are much better alternatives.
• Make sure the driveway and perimeter of the house are well-lit. It may even be helpful to invest in motion sensor lighting.
• Prepare for the worst by backing up your computer files and making copies of important documents.
• Keep valuables, important documents, and money in a safe that is either bolted to the floor or built into a wall, and in a hidden location.
• Ask a trusted person to watch your house if you plan to go out of town. Collecting mail and packages and taking care of your lawn gives the appearance that someone is home.
• Leaving on lights, TVs, or radios can deter thieves from breaking in. To avoid an increase in your electric bill, consider using timer technology to turn on and off certain lights or a radio.
• A car in the driveway tells burglars that somebody is home, and they may avoid a house because of this.
• Make certain all windows and doors are locked anytime you leave the house, and after any strangers have been in your home.

In the unfortunate case that you do someday have to file a claim for theft, having a home inventory will save a lot of stress. After all, the last thing anyone needs in this situation is to have to sit and rack their brain thinking of every specific item that could be missing. A smart way to do this is by using Kentucky Farm Bureau Insurance’s Home Inventory Form and going room to room writing down every single electronic, piece of furniture, and any other valuables you own. Make sure to be as specific as possible, logging price, size, color, serial number, purchase year, etc., as well as including receipts and pictures. Lastly, don’t forget to back up the document and store it in multiple spots.

Don’t forget to take advantage of Kentucky Farm Bureau’s member benefits by saving on a home security system! For more information, click here.