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April, 1999
Protecting your home against break-ins
Residential break-ins have decreased slightly over the past few years, but a break-in still happens about every 90 seconds in Canada. And with the warmer weather, there is usually a jump in the number of break-ins as people spend more time away from home at cottages and campgrounds. Fortunately, there are a number of things homeowners can do to avoid becoming a victim.
"Burglars do not choose victims randomly they look for opportunities," says Lorne Whippler, SGI CANADA’s Assistant Vice President, Personal Lines. "Most illegal entries are made by amateur burglars without the use of sophisticated tools."
Whippler says a few simple measures can make your home a lot less appealing to a burglar. He recommends the following:
• Deadbolts are a must on both house and garage doors.
• Window bars in the basement can be an effective deterrent.
• Patio doors can be secured with a bar in the bottom track.
• Give your home a lived-in look while you are away:
–Use automatic timers to turn interior lights on and off.
– If you are going out of town, have the newspaper stopped and ask a friend to empty your mailbox regularly.
– Arrange to have your lawn mowed in summer and the snow shoveled in winter.
• Make your home visible to passers-by and neighbours:
– Entrances should be well-lit and clear of trees and shrubs.
– Motion-detecting floodlights can deter intruders.
• Consider installation of a 24-hour monitored alarm system (contact your SGI CANADA broker about premium discounts that may apply).
Whippler also cautions that you should never enter your home if you think a burglar might be inside. Go next door and call the police, he advises.
Having your home violated by a burglar can be a very traumatic experience. Break-ins also cost Canadian insurance companies millions of dollars each year in claims payments, and the cost is passed on to policyholders through higher premiums. SGI CANADA and your insurance broker are concerned about the premiums you pay. Please take the simple steps necessary to reduce your chances of being a victim of crime.
If you would like more information about how to safeguard your home from crime, contact your nearest SGI CANADA broker for a free copy of SGI CANADA’s "Security Tips" brochure.
For more information, contact:
Lorne Whippler
Assistant Vice President, Personal Lines
SGI
Regina
(306) 751-1898
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