Summer Crime & Fire Trends: What the Latest Data Tells Us About Protecting Your Home or Business - Prudential Alarm

Crime Heats Up in the Summer — And the Data Proves It

Property crime and burglary increase significantly during summer months, according to long-standing national and state trends:

• • FBI Crime Data consistently shows that July and August are peak months for burglaries.

• • A Detroit Police Department report noted an uptick in break-ins and thefts in residential and commercial areas during warm-weather months — especially in neighborhoods with higher vacancy or travel rates.

• • Why?

    • • More vacant homes due to vacations: Families travel more during summer, leaving homes unoccupied — often without setting alarms or informing neighbors.
    • • Longer daylight hours = more opportunity: Criminals exploit routine daytime activity and later sunsets, using visibility to monitor patterns or break in while people are at work or out.
    • • Open windows and relaxed habits: Many people leave doors, windows, and garages open for airflow, creating easy points of access.

Fire Risks Skyrocket: Summer's Hidden Threats

Per the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA):

• • July 4th is the leading day for U.S. home fires caused by fireworks, closely followed by July 5th. In fact, fireworks account for over 12,000 fire-related injuries annually.

• • Outdoor grilling causes over 10,000 home fires each year, with June and July being the peak months.

• • HVAC systems and overloaded circuits frequently cause electrical fires during heatwaves as demand on power increases.

Local Michigan fire departments also report:

• • Unattended bonfires and backyard fires as major summer culprits

• • Improper disposal of smoking materials in dry mulch or grass

• • CO (carbon monoxide) poisoning linked to closed garages and running generators or grills

Emergency Response: A Surge in Summertime Calls

EMS and fire departments across Michigan typically see a 20–30% increase in emergency calls between June and August. Causes include:

• • Outdoor activity accidents: With more people hiking, swimming, and doing yard work, trauma-related incidents surge.

• • Heat-related illnesses: Seniors and medically vulnerable individuals are at greater risk of dehydration, exhaustion, and cardiac events.

• • Power outages and equipment failures: Air conditioning stress can cause circuit overloads, triggering both fires and security vulnerabilities.

These seasonal risks underscore the importance of having monitored alarm systems, medical alert devices, and fire protection measures in place.

How to Stay Safe This Summer: Prudential’s Expert Tips

Whether you're protecting your home or business, here’s how to reduce summer-related risks with a proactive safety approach:

For Homeowners

Lock up before you head out
Vacations and weekend trips are prime times for break-ins. Always lock all doors and windows, even second-story ones. Use deadbolts and consider smart locks with remote access to manage entry from anywhere.

Arm your security system every time
Don’t assume daylight or short trips are safe. Criminals often “case" properties during the day. Ensure your alarm system is armed even while you're home.

Install monitored smoke, CO, and flood detectors
Early detection saves lives. Connected detectors alert not only you, but also first responders — even if you’re away.

Use smart lighting and cameras
Set timers or use motion-activated lights to make your home look occupied. Cameras offer real-time alerts and help law enforcement if an incident occurs.

Be cautious with fireworks and open flames
Follow local safety ordinances. Keep extinguishers nearby, never leave fire pits unattended, and avoid fireworks near dry brush or buildings.

For Businesses

Update access protocols and emergency contacts
If your team is rotating staff or closing early for summer hours, make sure your alarm access codes and contact lists are up to date — including who’s authorized to respond to alerts.

Install video surveillance and motion detection
These tools deter intruders and provide critical footage for insurance and police reports if something does happen.

Test fire and alarm systems monthly
Code-compliant systems are your first line of defense, but they only work if they’re functioning. We offer affordable monthly maintenance checks to ensure reliability.

Set automatic lock/unlock schedules
Whether you close at 3 PM on Fridays or are closed for a holiday weekend, program your system to secure your premises automatically.

Consider 24/7 monitoring
Unstaffed businesses are easy targets. A monitored system ensures fast emergency response even when no one is around.

The Smartest Way to Protect Your Property This Summer? Partner with Prudential Alarm.

Whether you manage a bustling office or are planning a summer getaway with family, don’t let crime or fire risks catch you off guard. From fire panel installation and UL-certified monitoring to medical alert systems and smart security tech, Prudential Alarm is your all-seasons safety partner.

📞 Call (800) 252-0368 today for a free summer safety consultation.
🌐 Learn more at: https://prudentialalarms.com

Let’s make this summer safe — together.