While summer can be a busy time for families as they plan vacations and road trips, it can be an even busier time for thieves looking to steal what they can from residential properties. In almost no time at all, and with very little effort, criminals can quickly make off with hundreds and even thousands of dollars worth of personal property. Today's blog post looks at the top four things thieves target on residential properties during the summer months. By being aware of these frequently targeted items, homeowners can better secure and protect their valuables and avoid becoming another crime statistic.

Vehicles Parked On Driveways and Streets

Most residential homes come with a garage for parking vehicles when not in use. However, some homeowners choose not to park cars in the garage and instead leave them in driveways or park them on residential streets for convenience. Personal vehicles become prime targets for thieves because they can quickly be burglarized, especially if purses, backpacks, or other valuables are left in plain sight. Thieves might also target vehicles for their high-end rims or truck toolboxes, searching for equipment, tools, and costly gear. Another added complication to car burglaries is that thieves can also steal garage door remotes, getting access to the garage and potentially the entire home. Ideally, it's best to park vehicles inside the garage, but if that's not possible, make sure no valuables are left inside, lock all doors, and activate the vehicle's alarm system.

Bicycles

Summer is the ideal time for adults, children, and even entire families to take bike rides through their neighborhood or at local parks. However, unsecured bikes are often left on front lawns, porches, driveways, or just inside of open garages. Thieves look for opportunities to steal bikes because of their quick resale value, especially higher end models used for long distance cycling or competitive racing. Homeowners should never take for granted that their personal property is safe just because it's right by their front door or within plain sight of residents. Bicycles should always be secured inside closed garages, and never left outside for any period of time.

Air Conditioning Parts

One of the most valuable targets for thieves in the past decade are the copper coils and other valuable parts commonly found in air conditioning units. These can be stolen without setting foot inside the home or even the backyard, depending on where they're placed. Air conditioners are tempting for thieves because of their highly valuable copper parts and coils that can be sold at a high price to scrap metal dealers. This type of theft can be a double inconvenience for homeowners, as they must deal with both the theft of air conditioning parts, as well as the cost and time spent in the heat waiting for the repair or repair or replacement of the entire air conditioning unit. Homeowners can protect their air conditioning units and deter thieves by installing a small security fence around the air conditioning unit, still allowing for airflow and functionality but preventing thieves from having easy access.

Storage Sheds

A number of homeowners depend on storage sheds to hold larger mowers, lawn equipment, and bulky tools or materials. Most homeowners don't think to lock their storage sheds because of their location in their backyard, but these storage sheds can hold very expensive equipment and tools that thieves love to steal. Thieves can make off with these pricey items in just a short time, and either resell them or use them for their own personal or commercial use. If your residential property has a storage shed, make sure it is always locked when not in use, and consider installing a security camera or motion sensor lights around the perimeter to deter thieves.

With a few simple tips, homeowners can better protect their valuables and prevent their summer from being ruined by quick thieves looking for property left unsecure. Another way to protect personal property is to contact Aegis Insurance & Financial Services about our full range of top quality personal insurance policies, including Homeowners, Renter's, Auto, and Life Insurance. Call us today at 713-850-7622 to discuss your insurance needs, or go online to request a free quote today!