Burglary is such a common crime in the U.S. that one occurs about every 15 seconds. Understanding about burglary can help you take the right steps to protect your home and family, but how much do you really know about them? Here are five things that might surprise you.

They Don’t Take Very Long

For someone in San Francisco who would never even think about breaking into a home, it can be tough to imagine how long a burglary takes. So it might surprise you to learn that most burglars are in and out of a home within 10 minutes. A burglar knows that the longer they spend in your house, the more likely they are to get caught. This is why they target the easiest valuables to shove into a pocket or backpack, such as:

• Jewelry
• Watches
• Cell phones
• Laptops
• Game consoles
• Home assistants

They Likely Live Right In Your Neighborhood

Most people assume that burglars come in from other states or towns to canvas and steal from neighborhoods where no one knows them. But the person stealing from your home is likely someone who lives in the same San Francisco neighborhood. They might not live next door, or even on the same block, but they’ve probably passed by your house a million times. In fact, because they spend so much time in the area, they’re more comfortable with the layout of the homes and the streets. They also know the police patterns and the easiest time to get away with something. 

They’ll Find Any Unlocked Door Or Window--And Use It

Do you leave your doors and windows unlocked at night? Don’t. 30 percent of criminals use these as common entry points. You might feel safe in your neighborhood, but that doesn’t mean that you are. Every time you leave the house, and before you go to sleep at night, lock all of the doors and windows to deter thieves from walking right in. 

They’re Notoriously Hard to Solve

When a home is not monitored by a home security system, a burglary can go unsolved. The FBI data on home theft says that only 13.6 percent ever result in an arrest. And even if an arrest is made, chances are slim that you’ll recover your stolen property.

A home security system with video capture can increase the chances that an arrest will be made. Security systems with live video feeds can get information to the San Francisco police department even faster. This can give you a better chance or reconnecting with your possessions. 

They’re Deterred By Security Systems

There’s a reason why those home security signs on people’s front lawns stand out. They let everyone (including criminals) know that the house is being watched constantly. Most burglars prefer to choose homes that are unprotected to decrease their risk of getting caught. Keep your home and possessions safer by getting a state-of-the-art home security system you can rely on to deter crime.