AMELIA, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Many Americans will soon hit the road for summer vacations or daytrips, but without proper protection and precautions in place, empty homes are an opportunity for burglars to strike. As the highest percentage of burglaries occur during the summer months, American Modern Insurance Group®, a leading specialty insurer, offers home owners and renters easy and effective tips to prevent home theft with two downloadable tip sheets: Tips for Better Securing Your Home and Rethinking the Word “Valuables”.
“Home theft is often a crime of opportunity. Regardless of whether you own or rent, an empty home is a more vulnerable home,” said Heather Bolyard, AVP of claims support for American Modern. “However in many cases, home theft is preventable if the proper steps and measures are taken to secure a house or apartment - both inside and out.”
In fact, about 30 percent of all burglaries occur as a result of a simple open or unlocked window or door. Fortunately, there are several cost-effective measures that can be taken to reduce the risk of home theft, such as:
- Install strong door locks and deadbolts - Choose a lock set that is proven to withstand drilling or picking.
- Reinforce doorjambs and strike plates - Most often, structural failures occur when strike plates separate from doorframes.
- Apply window security film - This prevents glass breakage and can deter a smash and-grab.
- Lock your windows - If your windows don’t already have locks, add them. Or, drill small holes into the upper and lower sashes at their overlap point and insert removable eyebolts.
- Close and lock your shed and garage every night - Make sure your vehicles are under cover and secure before you go to bed. On a smaller scale, stolen tools and lawn equipment are also a lucrative trade, so ensure these items are securely stored away.
- When away from home, don’t advertise your absence - Put temporary holds on mail and newspaper delivery, or have a trusted neighbor collect them. Put lights on staggered timers. Avoid posting on social media about your travel plans, which can increase the risk of burglaries and break-ins while you are away from your property.
- Put in motion-activated outdoor lighting - Make sure entry points are especially well-lit.
- Adopt a dog - They make wonderful pets and even better alarms. Even if you’re not a “dog person,” a “Beware of Dog” sign displayed prominently on your property can have a similar affect.
- Organize a Neighborhood Watch - Meet your neighbors and deter theft!
- Protect Vacant Properties and Vacation Homes - Keep vacant home doors and windows securely locked as they are a big target for metal scrappers or vandals. Put interior lights on staggered timers and install motion-activated exterior lights.
- Vehicles and items left in them - Most vehicle-related thefts take place in under 20 seconds. Never leave loose items on the seats or dash; lock them in the trunk, or better yet, take them with you. If you have a garage at home, use it. If you must park on the street, install a loud alarm system with a visible, blinking dash light.
- Not every thief is after traditional valuables - Some thieves are after materials that can be sold to scrappers or recyclers for quick cash. Some want moderately expensive items that can be sold online before an owner realizes they’re gone. These items can include: bicycles, sporting equipment, pool pumps and copper coils from air conditioning units.
About American Modern Insurance Group
American Modern is a widely recognized specialty insurance leader with more than 48 years of experience. The company delivers specialized products and services for residential property--like manufactured homes and specialty dwellings--and for consumers in the recreational market, including owners of boats, personal watercraft, classic cars, motorcycles, ATVs and snowmobiles. The company also provides products and services to protect financial institutions and their customers.
American Modern is licensed in all 50 states through six property and casualty companies, which are part of an insurance group that enjoys an A+ (superior) rating by the A.M. Best Company, a leading independent insurance analyst. These companies insure more than 1.7 million policyholders countrywide and have been recognized as a Best Place to Work by the Cincinnati Business Courier and a Top Workplace by the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Policies are written by one of the licensed insurers of American Modern Insurance Group, Inc., including American Modern Home Insurance company d/b/a in CA American Modern Insurance Company (Lic.No 2222-8).
