Seen At 11: 'Tis The Season For Brazen Break-Ins
NEW YORK(CBSNewYork) -- It is the season for break-ins. Every year, hundreds of thousands of burglaries take place during the months of November and December.
But, as CBS 2's Alice Gainer reported, you don't have to spend a ton of money to make your home safer.
The Silvis, and many families like them, didn't have a lot of spare cash to spend on an expensive home security system.
"That's why we always lock our doors, windows," Colette Silvis said.
Locking doors and windows may not be enough, security experts explained. Around the holidays, potential burglars may be watching and waiting.
"They'll know when people are going to be out of the house based upon certain religious ceremonies and events," Dan Coleman, Burglary Solutions, explained.
Burglaries increase to up to 400,000 nationwide during the months of November and December, according to authorities.
Police in Bergen County recently issued a warning about organized burglary groups who are believed to be responsible for a rash of brazen break-ins.
Most holiday thieves enter through the front door, experts said.
"It looks less suspicious when they're at the front door," Coleman said.
Home security can be drastically improved for as little as $20 and a trip to a home improvement store.
Sliding locks placed on the inside of the front door can let an intruder know that there is someone home.
"For a mere $3 you can get a safety device such as this that's very easy to install," State Trooper Steve Limani explained.
A $2 home security sign can get the job done without having to buy an actual security system.
"A would be burglar is generally going to drive by scoping out the neighborhood for signs similar to this to see which houses do not have a security system," Limani said.
A well placed dog dish can also do the trick, as experts explained that "perception is reality".
For just $5 a magnetic strip will sound an alarm in case a burglar tries to open a window.
"What happens is, when this breaks apart you'll hear a chime. An alarm will go off," Limani explained.
Experts also said that a strategically placed baby monitor can alert you to someone snooping around outside of your house.
Finally, another cheap and easy way to protect your home is by putting timers on your lights so that they will automatically turn on even when you are not home.
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