Have you ever wondered what time of year theft rates are the highest? Wonder no longer. The time of year when the most theft occurs is around Christmastime. Let’s take a look at why theft rates rise near Christmas.
Causes
There are a number of things that cause this time of year to be great for theft. Here are some of them:
- It’s darker. Winter time in North America is prime time for breaking and entering. When the sun is setting at or before 5pm, a burglar can break in under the over of night when the occupants aren’t even home from work yet.
- There’s guaranteed profit around Christmastime. If a house is decorated in a way that indicates they celebrate the holiday, you can be sure they have gifts inside. What better way to make money through robbery than by hauling out packaged goods by the armful? Unopened boxes and packages can be sold for a great profit on websites like Ebay or Craigslist.
- It’s easier to case a house during winter. Due to the sun setting earlier than usual, people will close their blinds and curtains late. The interim period where the blinds are open and the sun is down allows for a clear view inside the house. That makes tracking the schedules and habits of its occupants easier for the neighborhood burglar.
Popularity
While Christmas certainly isn’t the only holiday celebrated during the holiday season, it is the most popular. Because so many people celebrate Christmas, it’s easy to find houses to target. The extravagant light displays and the Christmas tree framed by the front window are all dead giveaways.
When you decorate so clearly for Christmas, it puts a target on your house. That isn’t a problem for people with quality alarms and security guarding their homes, but it certainly is for those who don’t. If you’re going to draw attention to your home this holiday season, be prepared. Engineered Alarm Solutions has a number of great ways you can keep your home safe from burglary.
Family Ties
Did you know that a large percentage of theft is committed by those closest to us? It’s true! Because it’s so easy to gain access to the belongings of relatives, family members are actually the most common cause of theft.
During the holidays, many of us invite family over to open gifts or spend time together. This is true for other winter holidays as well. That gives any family members with a knack for theft a great opening to take things from you. Plan ahead and put valuables somewhere they won’t be easy to find. And, no, that does not include in your dresser drawer. Locking expensive jewelry loose cash in a lock box or lockable desk drawer is a great way to keep it safe.
If you’re interested in protecting your home from theft over the holidays, you should invest in a home security system or home security cameras. Contact Engineered Alarm Solutions at (416) 697-7329 if you want your home to stand up against robbery.