Dallas ranks 6th in Halloween home burglary risk

DALLAS (KDAF) — As Halloween approaches and Daylight Saving Time ends, U.S. families face an increased risk of home burglaries due to darker evenings.

Searches for ‘how to prevent home break-in’ have surged by 89% over the past year, reflecting growing concerns about home security. FBI data indicates that residential burglaries tend to rise in the fall and winter months, as shorter days provide more cover for thieves.

Compare the Market AU analyzed burglary rates, safety scores, and worry scores across U.S. cities to identify areas most at risk. Dallas ranks 6th with a burglary rate of 706.9 per 100,000 residents, a safety score of 48.12, and a worry score of 46.97.

The 10 U.S. cities with the most break-ins in the US: 

Rank	Location	Burglary Rate per 100,000	Safety Score	Worry Score	Total Score (Max 3)
1	Houston	736.3	36.45	59.07	2.902
2	San Francisco	574.1	38.45	53.03	2.272
3	Chicago	359.5	33.95	55.98	2.241
4	Phoenix	574.0	46.34	54.87	2.052
5	Jacksonville	497.6	43.02	53.96	2.014
6	Dallas	706.9	48.12	46.97	1.820
7	San Antonio	546.5	52.19	47.32	1.418
8	Charlotte	595.4	52.88	44.42	1.331
9	Los Angeles	361.4	46.91	47.18	1.317
10	Columbus	636.1	50.66	40.76	1.308

Adrian Taylor, Executive General Manager of General Insurance at Compare the Market AU, advises homeowners to install alarms, avoid posting on social media when away, and consider motion-activated lights to deter burglars.

Over 41 million children are expected to go trick-or-treating this year, adding to the foot traffic in neighborhoods. While this creates a festive atmosphere, it also increases the risk of homes being left unattended.

Taylor emphasizes the importance of home and contents insurance for peace of mind, ensuring coverage for stolen or damaged items in case of a break-in.

With Halloween festivities and longer nights, homeowners are urged to take preventive measures to secure their properties and consider insurance options to mitigate potential losses.

All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by CW33. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by CW33 staff before being published.