When it’s time to leave for vacation each summer, it’s always the same feeling: a small knot in your stomach about leaving your home unattended. And you’re not alone! In our country, 64% of French people share this fear according to a study conducted by Leocare insurance.
But France is not the only country affected by this plague. Burglaries are a scourge that affects many households each year, with a notable increase during the summer period. According to Bankrate, 847,522 household were victims of a burglary. And most of them happened during Summer.
Burglary: 2.5% of US citizens affected each year #
In the US, the number of burglaries amounts to nearly 1 million per year. And if you thought that burglaries only happen at night in shady neighborhoods, think again! According to the Leocare study:
- Burglaries increase by almost 30% during Summer.
- 40% of burglaries occur during the day.
- Home without a security system 300% more likely to be targeted.
- Around 60% of burglaries occur in residential areas.
Summer vacations are an opportune time for burglars due to the prolonged absence of residents. Empty houses, absent neighbors who could watch over the place, and relaxed security habits make it the perfect opportunity for a burglary!
Burglary: The Inequality of the US People Facing the Phenomenon #
As with many things, we are not all equal. And burglaries are no exception. Some states in the United States are more affected than others, like New Mexico or Washington.
What Items Are Stolen During a Burglary? #
Burglaries often target easily transportable valuable items. This means they probably won’t leave with the car in your garage, although the risk exists. Among the most commonly stolen items during a burglary are:
- Jewelry: Easy to carry and resell later.
- Cash: If you leave some cash in an easily accessible place, like an envelope in a drawer, burglars will likely take it.
- Electronic devices: Smartphones, tablets, cameras, and laptops are ideal targets. Televisions can also be taken by more experienced burglars who aren’t afraid to move larger items.
- Computer equipment: Hard drives, game consoles, and computer peripherals are quite easily transportable and sell well on sites like LeBonCoin.
To limit risks, it’s strongly advised to store your valuable items in a safe, if possible. Also, avoid leaving them in plain sight: a burglar is more likely to act if they see valuable items through a window.
Protecting Your Home from Burglary #
Unfortunately, protective systems against burglary are still too rarely adopted by the population.
Securing Your Home Against Burglary #
To protect your home, there are multiple solutions:
| Measure | Description | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intrusion Detection Systems | Motion and door/window opening sensors | - Deters burglars - Remote notifications - Continuous surveillance |
- High initial cost - Requires regular maintenance |
| Alarm Systems | Silent or loud alarm that can scare off the burglar and alert neighbors | - Deters burglars - Remote notifications - Continuous surveillance |
- High initial cost - Requires regular maintenance |
| Reinforced Doors | Strengthened doors for maximum security | - High resistance to break-ins - Long lifespan |
- Expensive installation - Complex installation |
| Multipoint Locks | Locks with multiple locking points | - Increased difficulty in forcing entry - Compatible with various doors |
- Higher cost than a standard lock - May require professional installation |
| Smart Locks | Locks controllable remotely | - Lock and unlock with one click - Allows temporary access for your relatives |
- Higher cost than a standard lock - May require professional installation - Requires reliable internet connection |
| Reinforced Windows | Anti-break-in glazing and security locks | - Additional protection - Reduced risk of intrusion |
- Additional cost - May affect the aesthetics of the windows |
| Surveillance Cameras | Video surveillance of entry points and risky areas | - Deters burglars - Provides evidence in case of intrusion - Remote surveillance |
- Installation cost - Requires reliable internet connection |
| Light Programmers | Automatic lighting to simulate presence | - Easy to use - Low cost - Effective in deterring burglars |
- Does not offer physical security - Does not protect against actual intrusion |
| Motorized Shutters | Automatic opening and closing of shutters | - Adds a physical barrier - Simulates presence |
- Installation cost - May require repairs or maintenance |
*prefer A2P certified locks
Burglary During Vacation: Tips to Keep in Mind #
During vacations, the period when you leave your home empty is more or less long. Even if you’ve adopted all possible security measures, it’s not always enough to reassure you entirely. Here are some tips to follow for a peaceful vacation:
-
Notify Your Insurance of Your Departure
- You can negotiate with your insurer to improve your home insurance coverage.
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Monitoring by Relatives and Neighbors
- Collaborate with others: Ask your relatives to regularly pick up the mail and check that everything is normal. If your relatives live too far away, ask your neighbors to take on this task and notify you of any suspicious activity.
- Surveillance Groups: Propose setting up neighborhood watch programs for collective security against burglaries. You help others in their absence, and they help you in return.
-
Discretion on Social Media
- Avoid public announcements: Don’t shout from the rooftops that you’re going on vacation for 3 weeks. This includes social media, especially if your profile is public.
- Privacy Settings: Use strict privacy settings to limit access to your personal information. Don’t hesitate to set your profile to private to share your vacation with people you know.
-
Simulate Presence
- Light Programmers: Use programmers to turn lights on and off at specific times.
- Motorized Shutters: Program shutters to open and close automatically. It is even sometimes possible to close shutters remotely via an app on your smartphone.
Protecting Against Burglary with Invoxia GPS Trackers #
Do these protection measures seem intrusive or too complicated to implement? There is another solution! With GPS trackers placed in your most valuable items, you are notified of a theft attempt directly on your smartphone.
With discreet and lightweight designs, Invoxia GPS trackers can be hidden inside many valuable items. For example, the Mini Tracker* can easily slip into the bottom of a jewelry box. If a burglar opens the box, your tracker detects it and you are immediately notified. For your vehicle, the Tracker GPS Pro can be hidden under a seat or in the sun visor for discreet protection!
The advantages of installing one or more GPS trackers are numerous:
- If you want reassurance, just check your app to know everything is fine.
- You are alerted of any suspicious movement and any theft attempt directly on your phone, allowing you to react quickly. This means that if the burglar touches an object in or on which a GPS tracker is placed, you are notified.
- If a burglary does occur, you have the means to track your stolen items, where other solutions are only preventive. You have a way to act to try to recover them.
- We help you recover your items with the Theft File, a unique feature of Invoxia trackers.
- You can use your GPS trackers for multiple items, depending on your needs. They do not have a specific use and can easily be moved from one item to another.
By combining deterrent measures and GPS trackers, you can significantly reduce the risk of burglary. This allows you to effectively protect your home and belongings, and have a chance to recover them if the worst should happen!
*The Mini Tracker is available in Europe only.
What to Do in Case of Burglary? #
In case of a burglary, it is crucial to follow certain steps to minimize damage and facilitate the intervention of authorities and insurers:
- Stay Calm: Take a moment to breathe and assess the situation.
- Do Not Touch the Crime Scene: Avoid moving objects or cleaning up the area. Preserve evidence for the police.
- Call the Police: Immediately contact the police to report the burglary and request intervention.
- Create an Inventory of Losses: Make a list of stolen or damaged items, with their estimated value.
- If You Have an Invoxia GPS Tracker: Generate your Theft File to assist the police in their search and increase your chances of recovering your items.
- File a Complaint: Go to the police station to file an official complaint. This step is necessary for procedures with your insurance.
- Inform Your Insurance: Contact your insurer to report the incident and start the reimbursement process. Provide all required documents, including the filed complaint.
While burglaries increase significantly in summer, there are many measures to protect your home. By combining traditional security practices and modern technologies, it is possible to significantly reduce the risk of burglary.