Break-ins increase in summer months

Burglaries peak in the summer months, with a 4% increase in June, 9% in July and 20% in August, according to Aviva Canada claims data. The number of break-ins increases towards the end of week, the company notes. Friday has the highest number of thefts, with a 28% higher chance of a burglary on Friday than on a Sunday. The average dollar value of stolen articles has increased by 24% since 2002, from $4,476 to $5,560 in 2009. This is attributable to the popularity of expensive, but easy-to-grab items such as laptops, cell phones and video game consoles. Quebec homeowners have twice the national average of burglaries, followed by Manitoba, which has one-and-a-half times the national average. Newfoundland, on the other hand, is 10 times below the national average.