Burglary Facts

FBI list of house entry points. Home security involves a security system as well as security bars to windows and security doors

FBI research has come up with a list of several house entry points, and the percentage in which break-ins occur through them.

Though this study is already a few years old, it's still a good basis to improve on overall home security, especially since there isn't expected to be a remarkable change in these figures.

• 34% Front Door
• 23% First-Floor Window
• 22% Back Door
• 9% Garage
• 4% Basement
• 4% Unlocked Entrance
• 2% Second Floor
• 2% Storage Area

Some observations from the above breakdown:

• The 4% statistic, while almost trivial compared to the others, shows that there are still residents who are too lax with regard to home security.
• 79% of all break-ins were through easily accessible entry points (front and back door, first-floor window). This indicates that the security measures of these points were not sufficient to prevent forced entry or lock circumvention. Carelessness is not the culprit for this large number, since only 4% of all break-ins were through unlocked entrances.
• The garage, which most residents consider separate from the home and thus fortify with different security measures, is still a moderately popular entry point among burglars, and only ranked behind the three easiest points of entry.
• Only 8% of all break-ins were through entrances that are difficult to access, pointing to burglars' hesitance to exert too much effort in breaking into a house, perhaps due to the risk or the trouble involved.

Some suggestions in light of the study:

• Be more careful. Unlocked entrances are open invitations to burglars.
• Make things difficult for burglars. The study has more or less established that burglars often take the path of least resistance, so devote more time in securing the most accessible entry points of your home. Install security bars, security doors, and/or security systems in your home, or simply make use of stronger locks.
• Don't treat your garage as a separate component of your home. Secure it with the same measures you would give your house.
• Don't assume the easy entry points are burglars' only targets. Burglars sometimes seek out other points of entry, so while it's good to focus on the security of the main entrances of your home, it's not good to forget the rest. A comprehensive home security plan is always best to keep your home safe from break-ins.

The information is given by the expert locksmiths of New York Locksmith
The NYC home security team.