Whether you’re on vacation, down the street at the farmers market, or in the backyard enjoying your summer, you want to make sure you’re house will be safe. There’s statistics showing that most home burglaries increase during the summer time months.

One of the many things people tend to do is leaving the garage open, or one of the doors unlocked while just going down the street for 5 minutes, or being in the backyard with the kids. Which gives access to others to barge in.

A variety of factors may contribute to the increased rates of home invasion, including:

• More time away from home, due to vacations and family activities
• Windows left open for ventilation
• Children and teens running in and out and forgetting to lock doors or arm security systems behind them
• More home repairs and maintenance, increasing the number of “strangers” with access to your home

Following these safety precautions can help you to reduce the likelihood that you will be a victim of a burglary this summer.

1. If you do not already have one, install a wireless security system from a reputable dealer.
2. Remember to lock all windows and doors securely when leaving your home, even for short periods of time.
3. If you have hollow doors, replace them with solid wood or metal. Hollow doors are easily kicked open.
4. Use a piece of wood or track lock for sliding glass doors to prevent opening when you are out or sleeping.
5. Don’t leave windows opened and unlocked at night.
6. Remove shrubbery and trees that block the view of windows and doors. These can provide excellent screens for burglars forcing entry into a home.
7. Consider adding security lighting to the outside of your home.
8. When leaving on vacation, ask a neighbor to keep an eye on your house and bring in mail and newspapers, so it’s not obvious to passersby that you’ve been away from the home.