When we think of burglars entering a home, we think of them breaking a window or smashing through a door to gain entry. In reality, burglars often don’t have to work so hard. Thirty-two percent of burglars enter through an unlocked door. Or, they simply check under the welcome mat or in a nearby planter for a hidden key and let themselves in.

The front door isn’t the only easy point of entry. Twenty-three percent of burglars enter through a first-floor window—either unlocked or with an easy-to-unlock latch. Another 22 percent enter through the back door. If thwarted, burglars will try sliding glass doors, outside doors leading into the garage and ground floor windows until successful. A doggy door is another access point if the burglar is small enough.

Remember, burglars are always looking for easy entry. Keep your doors locked with deadbolts. Windows can be safely secured with inexpensive window locks and sliding glass doors with a simple rod in the tracks. Statistics show that burglars want to be in and out of a home in less than 10 minutes. By making entry difficult, most burglars will give up and leave.