Following are some tips to help keep you safe!!

1. Plan to "burglarize" yourself. You may discover weaknesses in your security system that may have previously escaped your notice.
   
2. Secure Outside Doors – Securely lock your home when gone, even if only for a short while. Most burglars just walk through an unlocked the front door.
   • The door from the garage to the home should be considered an outside door.
     
   • Maintain control of the keys.  Everyone knows the key is in the mailbox or under the mat.  Use a lockbox or trusted neighbor for spare keys when you need them.
     
   • Change all the locks and or tumblers in your home if you lose control of your keys.  For example, when you move into a new home or lose your keys.
     
   • Use Dead Bolts Locks.  Spring Latch Locks are easy to open without a key using a credit card.
     
   • Use only metal or solid wood doors on the outside of your home.
     
   • Make sure that hinge pins are installed on the inside of the house.  Outside doors need to swing in.
     
   • Use long screws to attach lock plates to structural components behind the door jam
     
   • Only reluctantly turn your house key over to a trusted house sitter or cleaner.  Check references first.
     
   • Patio doors can be locked by setting a pipe or metal bar in the middle bottom track of the door slide.  Be aware, however, that some doors can easily be lifted out of the track and set aside. 
     
3. Secure Windows -  When you are away, all windows should be locked, guarded or protected in some way.
    
   • Window glass is not usually broken because of the noise.  Rather a small hole is cut to provide access to unlock the lock.  Film on the window makes cutting a hole in the glass more difficult and can provide a summer sun block.
     
   • Windows are usually jimmied or slid open from the outside for access into the home.  They should be locked.
     
   • Six types of windows are used in homes in the US.  There is a lock for each:
     • Awning - this framed glass is hinged on the top, with a locking device on the bottom, usually a sash or bolt lock.
       
     • Hopper - same as Awning although the hinges and lock position are swapped.  Lock Types are the same.
       
     • Sliding - these window frames slide sideways and can be locked with a sash, bolt or casement lock.
       
     • Double hung - similar to sliders, but slide up and down.  Locks are the same.
       
     • Casement – these windows usually open with a crank assembly.  They should be locked,
       even though the assembly makes
       the windows inconvenient to open
       from the outside.
       
     • Fixed – these non-opening windows don’t need locks.
       
   • Casement locks can often be used to stop windows from opening fully making it impossible to crawl through them.
     
   • Some sash locks operate with a key making them secure from opening from the outside.  Good idea but inconvenient.
     
   • Basement windows should have grates or bars.
     
4. Your home should appear occupied at all times
   
   • Close the garage door if the car is gone.  And, incidentally, to secure contents.
     
   • Use timers to switch lights and radios on and off when you're not at home.  Rooms with timed lights should have shades open during the day.  Make sure the radio is tuned to a 24hour station. 
     
   • Turn down the ringer on the phone.
     
   • Don't leave notes on the door saying when you will be back.
     
   • If gone for an extended time in the summer, see that the outside is watered and the lawn cut.  Have the walks shoveled of snow.  Stop mail and newspaper delivery.  Have the neighbor park in your driveway.
     
5. Some other good ideas.
   • Make sure that trees, down pipes, lattice work or ladders do not provide easy access to upper floors
     
   • Hide valuables from view through outside windows
     
   • Make an inventory of electronic devices, including make, model and serial number.  Store info offsite.
     
   • Take pictures of all the inside of your home and possessions.  Store offsite. 
     
   • Keep guns securely locked up - preferably in a safe.  Store ammo in a separate place.
     
   • If the entrances to your home are dark, consider installing lighting with an infrared detector. Most thieves don't want to be observed trying to get in a door.
     
   • Cooperate with neighbors to be aware of suspicious people or strange cars.
     
   • Dogs are good deterrents to burglars.  Even a small, noisy dog can be effective.
     
6. A final thought.  Think for a moment – even banks with secure perimeters
   and massive safes for cash and valuables have alarm systems.
   Regardless of the investment made in safety, virtually anything can be breeched and broken into.  For this purpose added investment in an alarm system is prudent.  Given the payoff in added safety for your loved ones, possessions and home, a monitored alarm system is a great investment.