According to a Bureau of Justice Statistics special report, around 3.7 million burglaries occurred every year on average between 2003 and 2007.

Home burglaries are more common than many homeowners realize. In fact, FBI data shows that in 2010 there were approximately 2.1 million burglary incidents in the United States, with an average loss of about $2,100 per event. Even more surprising, nearly 28% of victims were at home when the burglary occurred.

No home is completely immune to break-ins, regardless of location or lifestyle. While locking doors and installing a security system are essential first steps, there are additional measures you can take to strengthen your home’s protection and gain greater peace of mind. Here are three strategies to help improve your home’s overall security:

“Consider installing impact resistant windows.”

1. Don’t widely advertise when you will be gone

While social media is an accepted part of daily life today, you should be careful what you post to all your online “friends.” If you will be going on vacation or gone for an extended period of time, you want to be careful who you reveal this to. This is just the sort of information criminals want to hear – that they won’t encounter anyone at home when they hope to snag a few valuables.

2. Install outdoor movement-triggered lights 

Outdoor lighting that is triggered by movement can be extremely beneficial for you, whether you are home or not. If you are home, you will be alerted quickly that someone may be near. Meanwhile, if you aren’t home, this may deter potential criminals from completing their mission if they think you are home or that they could get caught.

3. Update your windows

Is your home equipped with older, single-paned glass windows? If so, your house could be more vulnerable to criminals than you think. To protect yourself against a potential burglary, consider installing impact-resistant windows to keep you and your home safe for years to come. While these windows are perfect for remaining intact during hurricane season, their double-paned durability and high-quality design will protect you from burglars as well.

At NewSouth Window Solutions, we value the importance of keeping our customers safe with locally made products at affordable prices. Contact us today to learn more about how our impact-resistant windows can keep your home safe and sound all year long.