The typical home burglar spends only about 10 minutes in a home, yet nets over $2,000. For this level of efficiency, thieves need to know what to grab before they break in. As a homeowner, take stock of this list of burglars’ most sought-after items.
You can also help protect your home by installing security cameras to deter criminals and capture evidence. Maryland Security Professionals is a regional leader and provider of modern surveillance systems. Call us to learn more about the latest technology and economical options to protect your most valuable asset.
What thieves look for inside homes
Home burglars tend to target items that can be turned quickly into cash.
Here are the five things that top their list:
- Cash – Bills are easy to carry and hard to track. Burglars know where to look. Hiding cash under a mattress will not keep it safe, and many thieves will steal a safe if it can be carried. Homeowners who keep cash in their homes may consider investing in a safe of substantial weight or one that can be bolted to the floor. Or better yet- keep your cash in the bank.
- Jewelry – Pawn shops make it easy for thieves to turn jewelry into quick cash. Many homeowners try to hide their heirloom jewelry in places like the bottom of a sock drawer or top of the closet, but experienced burglars check these spots first. The safer place to stash portable valuables is in a home safe or a safety deposit box at a bank.
- Prescription drugs – Burglars usually take prescription drugs not for personal use, but because of their high street value. If you have been the victim of a break-in, be sure to check your medicine cabinet to ensure that your medications are still there.
- Electronics – From flat screen TVs to smartphones, electronics are easy to sell. While they may not be as easy to transport as some of the other burglar “must haves”, they are usually out in the open, so an intruder will not need to spend time searching for them.
- Identity – From information stored on electronic devices to personal identification documents like social security cards, there is a lot of information that a thief can gather in the short time they spend in your home.
Protect your home when you are not there
In 2016 alone, there were more than 1.5 million burglaries and nearly 70% of those targeted residences. Of the $8 billion in property other than motor vehicles stolen, only approximately 7% was recovered. When it comes to home burglaries, prevention is the key.
Home security cameras give peace of mind when homeowners cannot be on-site. Not only are visible security cameras a deterrent, but they provide valuable evidence in case a crime does take place.
Maryland Security Professionals specializes in outfitting homeowners in Maryland, Delaware, Washington D.C., Virginia and West Virginia with custom-tailored security solutions that fit your budget. Call today to speak with one of our security professionals and schedule a free security audit of your property.
Additional Home Burglary Resources:
- Esurance, 5 things burglars want to steal from your home (and how you can stop them), https://www.esurance.com/info/homeowners/5-things-burglars-want-to-steal
- Realtor Mag, What Thieves Are Most After in Homes, http://realtormag.realtor.org/daily-news/2017/07/19/what-thieves-are-most-after-in-homes
- FBI, Crime in the United States 2016: Burglary, https://ucr.fbi.gov/crime-in-the-u.s/2016/crime-in-the-u.s.-2016/topic-pages/burglary