By Yang Wang
Houston Chronicle July 11, 2010
Is your home in a hot zone?
10 most burglary-prone ZIP codes
77036, 77009, 77072, 77060, 77063, 77077, 77042, 77016, 77082, 77021
Ten safest ZIP codes (population over 15,000)
77002, 77059, 77058, 77084, 77005, 77345, 77029, 77071, 77008, 77019
Source: City of Houston data
Most commonly stolen items
Large, flat-screen TVs
Cell phones
Cameras
DVD players
Gaming systems
Identification documents
Jewelry
Removable tools (power tools, hand tools and yard equipment)
Bank cards and checkbooks
Cash
Firearms
What you can do about break-ins
Experts say the average burglar will spend no more than four to five minutes trying to gain access to a house.
Thwart burglary attempts before they happen
Make your home look occupied all the time.
Use automatic timers on lights when away.
Place radios on automatic timers when you’re away so they can be heard outside.
Lower the sound of your telephone ringer and answering machine so they can’t be heard outside.
Never leave notes on your door that can tip off burglars.
Eliminate hiding places around your home
Install motion detector lights around your house instead of leaving lights on at night.
Install these lights at least 8 feet above the ground so they are more difficult to disable.
Motion detector lights should illuminate doors and windows.
Doors should be first priority, followed by windows.
Remove overgrowth, bushes and shrubs under windows and next to doors.
Use a security alarm system with a loud alarm and/or flashing lights.
Make your home a harder target
Make sure you have the right kind of locks on your doors and windows.
Secure doors from attached garages with dead-bolt locks and security door strikes.
Install impact-resistant glass on windows or doors within a 42-inch arm’s reach of a lock.
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON
Year Burglaries
2006 18,364
2007 19,581
2008 19,358
2009 22,503
2010 Jan-April 6,940
2009 Jan-April 6,683
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