SANDY, Utah (ABC4 News) - Every fifteen seconds in the United States a home is burglarized, that's according to the FBI. And police agencies across the country are reporting more break ins this year. But whether you blame the bad economy or the summer season, experts say you can protect yourself.
Duff Astin has made a career out of teaching people in Sandy how to protect themselves from people who've made a career out of stealing.
"They will come up and they will knock, and if you have a neighbor watching the house they see the person knocking. And then they reach up and try the door, and if it's open they just walk in," says Astin who works for the Sandy City Police Department.
So what makes a crook less likely to try your door? First Astin says get a deadbolt, and then use it. Second, leave the blinds open. Whether you are home or not it makes the bad guys worry that someone is watching. And third, cut back shrubs and trees so they don't block your windows or porch.
"Take your kids out in the front yard and play hide and seek. See where they hide in the front yard, and if you can't see them as you go up to the front door, it's a hiding spot that you probably ought to address," Astin says.
Home burglaries are up in Sandy year to year, and about half of the time burglars are getting in through an open garage door. It's an invitation that mobile watch volunteer LaMar Beckstead says criminals will take advantage of day or night.
"They can be in and take your sporting goods, your tools, have it down to the pawn shop in a matter of minutes and you are out," Beckstead says.
It's tough to completely burglar proof your home, but Astin says it's the simple things that we sometimes forget, like locking, that can make the bad guys simply move on.
