When you look at your home to evaluate it for homeowner’s insurance security issues, you want to look at it through the eyes of a burglar. Since you are obviously not a burglar, how do you do it? Here are some tips to make it more likely a burglar will pass by your house and search for an easier mark.

The easiest way to enter your house is the way you do it every day. Through the door! If the door is locked, a key makes it easier. If it’s unlocked, it’s a matter of turning the handle and entering. A burglar will approach it no differently. They prefer unlocked door so keep yours locked.

We should also warn you that many burglaries take place while the homeowner is at home. You may be at your child’s bus stop keeping them warm in your car. A burglar sees you pull out and also sees an open garage door. They enter, see your purse, wallet or keys in the entry, grab them and leave. You may be in the shower, in the basement or just resting upstairs and think you are secure because you are in the house but that’s not necessarily the case.

Keep your doors and windows locked whenever possible.  It’s very common for burglars to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, which reduces their inhibitions and increases their willingness to take risks but they want things to be simple and go smoothly. That’s why they often just try to see if door is locked. If open, they think it’s easy to enter and leave.

Keep foliage near doorways trimmed so the door is visible and exposed. Use deadbolt locks. If your doorway has windows next to the locks, either be sure it is unbreakable glass or use a deadbolt lock that requires a key to lock from the inside. Keep the key away from the door and do not hang it on the door frame where a burglar can reach it through a broken window.

• Use a bump-proof deadbolt lock.
• Have a steel-core door.
• Use quality deadbolt locks with a one-inch throw mechanism.
• Use quality, heavy-duty doorknob locks.
• Have a secondary locking system on sliding glass doors.
• Lock the doors whenever you are home and away.
• Use anti-lifting devices on your sliding glass doors.

If you are using alarm decals, avoid decals with alarm company names on them. Many burglars are familiar with different alarm systems and target those that are easier to disable.

These are just a few security tips that help make your home burglar-resistant. Remember that no home is burglar-proof! While we love serving you and hearing from you, it’s saddens us when a client is making a homeowner’s insurance claim due to a burglary. We’re happy to share information to help stack the odds in your favor.

For a comprehensive review of your homeowner’s insurance policy, give the insurance specialists at Zimmer Insurance Agency a call at 513-381-1919.