August may be the peak month, but statistics show home break-ins can happen any time. Burglars target more than 5 million households a year. Fire also strikes households at any time, and it kills more Americans than all natural disasters combined. The United States Fire Administration estimates that more than 4,500 people die in fires in this country annually, and another 29,000 civilians are injured. We believe that you can help prevent burglary and fires by following these basic home safety tips.
Burglars choose homes that appear unoccupied and easy to access.
That's why thieves usually spend less than two minutes trying to get a window or door open before giving up and looking for an easier target. Take our Home Security Quiz. Sliding glass doors often have weak locks. Most home burglaries occur between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. 3. Installing motion-activated outdoor floodlights is a good safety idea.