According to a Bureau of Justice Statistics special report, around 3.7 million burglaries occurred every year on average between 2003 and 2007. Surprisingly, 28 percent of victims were home during the course of the burglary. Additionally, the FBI found that out of the 2.1 million burglaries that happened in 2010, there was an average loss of $2,100 per incident. 

Every home is susceptible to a potential burglary, no matter where you live or how often you are home. While any house could be the target of a thief, this does not mean that there are not steps you can take to better protect your home from these criminals. You know that you should always remember to lock your doors whenever you leave your house and install a home security system, but there are other ways you can have additional peace of mind. Here are three strategies you can start with:

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.