Security in the home is a matter of systematically making your home progressively more difficult and less attractive to break into. We all know that given enough time and concealment, anyone can get through any level of physical security. That fact might be discouraging, however, almost all home break-ins are opportunistic crimes, and homes are picked at the last minute because of no one being home, or being left obviously unsecured. Start with the basics, and work your way up to whatever level of physical security you require.

Establish basic perimeter security:

• Use the locks you already have. Too many home break-ins are through unlocked doors or open garage doors. Since most residential break-ins occur in the day, keep your doors locked even if you are home during the day.
• Exterior doors should have deadbolts.
• Sliding glass doors need a removable securing bar or stick in the track to keep them from sliding back and forth.
• Fence your yard and secure the gates if you can. Don't let anyone be able to get up to a rear door without having to cross another barrier.
• Use heat or motion sensitive lights to eliminate hiding places.
• If you have a trusted neighbor who is home during the day, make sure they know who belongs at your house and who doesn't. Be sure you leave a number where they can reach you in an emergency. Make it clear to them that you want them to call the police for you if anyone suspicious is hanging around your house.

Create the lived in look:

• Don't make it obvious you aren't home, but be creative about it. Alternate lights on timers, have TV's and radios come on and off.
• If you can find a trusted person to house sit for you. Almost every burglar knocks on the front door first to see if anyone answers.
• Get neighbors to park in your driveway if you are going to be away for awhile, or are gone during the day.

Manage your property:

• Don't make it obvious you have just acquired new computers and stereos by leaving the cartons piled up in front of your house. Cut up the cartons and put them in the trash.
• Don't keep large amounts of cash or jewelry in a residence, or even suggest to anyone that such valuables might be there.
• Keep a current, itemized list of your serialized property in case it's stolen. You will need to provide this information to the Police and your insurance company.
• Photograph jewelry items, and have them appraised.
• Place irreplaceable documents (birth certificates, marriage licenses, etc.) in a safety deposit box.