Smart Alarm System with Camera
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Burglary
When people talk about burglary they're usually referring to the theft of property from a home as a result of breaking and entering. However, breaking and entering doesn't always take place, as burglars can enter the home by deception, by pretending to be someone else or by using copied or stolen keys. Some burglars act alone, while others act in organised gangs; burglaries can take place both by chance (lost keys, door left open, etc.) or as part of a carefully prepared operation.Because there are so many different circumstances, it's difficult to establish absolute rules on how to secure your home against burglary.
Burglaries: a real risk
Figures published by the French Ministry of the Interior and the country's national crime and criminal justice response monitoring centre make for disturbing reading: more than 250,000 burglaries are recorded every year in France, amounting to 650 per day on average. This is worrying given that it amounts to one burglary every 90 seconds and that the data used only covers established thefts that the victims reported to the national police force. Including attempted breaking and entering and abandoned burglaries, the facts are even more alarming.Burglary figures compiled by law enforcement nevertheless provide us with information on how burglars operate. This information enables the police to put preventive measures in place and the general public to improve security in their home.
Statistics show that while 23% of burglars enter the home through a window and 11% by scaling an outside wall, 54% enter through the front door. Figures also show which items are most likely to be stolen: jewellery comes in first place (in 54% of reported cases), followed by computer equipment, hi-fis, cameras and video equipment. Thefts of computers, tablets and smartphones are on the rise every year, even outstripping thefts of cash and other payment methods. DIY and gardening tools are also enticing for burglars, who see them as an easy target often kept in less-protected places (garage, garden shed). Discover all our products
How to protect yourself against burglaries
Fortunately, you can take action to protect the items in your home. The police and your insurance provider usually give good advice on anti-theft security. These recommendations are essential for protecting yourself from theft by making things difficult for a burglar, whether you're home or away, as well as to ensure you're covered by your insurance policy in the event of a break-in or incident.- Look out for the signs
- Be careful on social media
- Secure entry points
- Pretend you're home while you're on holiday
- Notify the police
- Don't tempt thieves
- Limit the damage
- Beware of intruders
Anti-theft systems
Various security systems are available to protect your home from burglary.An alarm system that has a motion or opening sensor can surprise a burglar and cause them to flee. If you're not at home, an alarm will also alert your neighbours, who can call the police.
A surveillance camera is also useful for ensuring your valuables are secure. When placed outside, it can discourage a burglar from even entering your home. The camera will also take photos or videos, which can be used to identify a burglar or provide evidence to your insurance company. The mere mention of a video surveillance system on a sign or sticker outside your home is also enough to dissuade intruders.
If your video surveillance system is connected to a security centre, an agent may even visit your home if the alarm is triggered, which is especially useful if you're not in when a burglary is taking place. A smart security camera can also send an alert to your phone in case of an intrusion, whether during the day or at night. This can allow you to cause the burglar to flee or to immediately alert the local police.