Property Protection: How to Secure Your Windows

According to recent statistics there are approximately two million residential burglaries reported each year in the U.S. This represents a home intrusion occurring about every 13 seconds. It's been shown that thieves prefer easy entry into homes such as those with unlocked doors/windows. Somewhere around 30% of home burglaries are reported to be made through open or unlocked windows or doors and the average value of stolen property per robbery is $2,251, which equates to about four and a half billion dollars total per year. And where does all that money come from? As you may have guessed, a portion of it comes from the premiums for every homeowners insurance policy written by all the insurers in the country since it's the homeowners insurance companies who end up paying for these losses.

An Ounce of Prevention

In order to help you in protecting your property, we'll provide a few tips here on how to best secure your windows from intrusion.

• The first rule, especially in light of the knowledge that almost a third of home burglaries are committed by the thieves entering through open or unlocked windows and doors, is to always lock your doors and windows, even when you're at home. If your windows open by sliding sideways, put a strong stick, a small-diameter pipe or a piece of PVC pipe in the channel. Do the same for your sliding glass doors. If you like to leave these windows or doors partially open when at home, have a second piece of wood or pipe cut about six inches shorter for use at these times.
• Further secure your windows by adding window alarms that sound off whenever a window is opened. Stickers and lawn signs informing would-be intruders that your home is alarmed is a good tactic. Use generic signs since advertising the brand of your alarm system can help a burglar overcome it. A home without an alarm is three times more likely to be burglarized, yet only 27% of American homes have working alarm systems.
• Add some tinted film to your downstairs windows. This makes it difficult for would-be intruders to see in and keeps your windows from shattering if they become broken. This film also keeps homes cooler in summer and lowers energy bills.
• You can install grilles or bars to your windows, just make sure they open from the inside in the event of a fire.