| According to the FBI, burglaries increased 1.3 percent | | | | benefits of a home security system and many more |
| in 2006 compared with 2005. Victims of property | | | | buy one and keep it turned off. |
| crimes lost more than $4 billion in cash and belongings | | | | A home security system can protect your home in |
| as a result of a burglary. Unfortunately, many of | | | | many ways:o Most thieves will avoid a home that has |
| those burglaries happened at someone's home. The | | | | a "Protected by" sign in its yard or on a window. |
| FBI estimates that every 15 seconds, a home in the | | | | Thieves do not want to get caught!o If someone |
| United States is burglarized. | | | | tries to break into your home during the day, the |
| Along with burglaries, home invasion robberies are | | | | home security alarm company will notify you and the |
| also increasing. These terrifying crimes occur when | | | | police immediately. Most thieves will run once the |
| someone forces their way into a home while | | | | alarm sounds, again in fear that they will be caught.o |
| someone is there. Victims of home invasion robberies | | | | Often burglars will strike at night as a family sleeps. |
| have been raped, stabbed, beaten and shot and | | | | These bold thieves often attack a family as well. An |
| many people have been killed. In July 2007, a | | | | alarm will signal police and alert the family that an |
| Connecticut doctor was severely beaten and his wife | | | | intruder is in the home.o You may be insured, but |
| and two daughters were murdered after two men | | | | money cannot replace the loss of a treasured family |
| forced their way into their home. These crimes | | | | heirloom taken in a burglary. Even is someone is |
| shatter the belief that home is the place where we | | | | arrested for a burglary, the property is often not |
| are safest. This false sense of security reinforces the | | | | recovered. |
| belief that "It can't happen to me." Usually it is only | | | | Many families think they cannot afford a home |
| after a homeowner has become a crime victim that | | | | security system, but some companies offer |
| he or she decides to install a home security system. | | | | installation for as low as $99. Monthly monitoring fees |
| According to statistics, a home without a security | | | | can be as inexpensive as $25-a small cost for peace |
| system is two to three times more likely to be | | | | of mind. |
| burglarized. Still, many people don't see the added | | | | |