Keeping the home free from debris, reinforcing entry points, and using a quality home security system are all great ways to keep prowlers and thieves from making a home a target.

Oh, the crashing economy! The more the news warns about falling stocks and unemployment, the more likely homeowners are to worry about their families and belongings. They want to protect them, themselves, and their loved ones from hordes of roaming hobos and disenfranchised ex-bankers. Here are some tips for keeping homeowners and their valuables (diamonds, rubies, and children) safe.

In 2005, the FBI studied burglary and found that the majority of residential break-ins occurred during business hours: 6 AM to 6PM. Predators want to come in, take stuff, and sneak out, and they want to do it fast and without being seen—a great opportunity when the whole neighborhood is at work. Savvy homeowners want to make their houses seem like the least pleasant target on the block. It is very helpful to keep vegetation under control around the home; trim back hedges and trees to make sure that there are not any places in which a prowler could take cover. Another gardening tip for a safer home is to plant thorny bushes, trees, and plants near any openings of the residence—no burglar wants to pull cactus spines or rose thorns out of his legs. Homeowners may also want to consider keeping a few windows uncovered (but locked!) during the day to detract prowlers from breaking in; when a thief can be seen from the street, he is more than likely going to pass on that home. A final tip for home security is to display the sign and stickers from the installed home security system. Burglars who can see that there is professional monitoring will move to another, less secure target. If the home can be seen from multiple street views (like on a corner or cul-de-sac) be sure to ask the home security system company for multiple signs. The signs may clash with your garden décor, but their presence is often the best deterrent for a would-be thief!

Should a burglar skip past the multiple signage, spiky bushes, and clear window views, he is more than likely going to try to break in through the back, side, or garage door, knowing that these entrances are often much less secure than the front one. Wise home owners invest in sturdy, metal or solid-core doors and heavy dead-bolt locks. Burglars tend to kick doors open (just like in the movies) and the weakest point of a door is right at the lock. Installing a deeply-screwed, heavy lock, as well as a multiple-screwed strike-plate (the plate that holds the lock or the latch in place on the door), reinforces the door’s strength and, hopefully, will reward the thief with nothing more than a jammed knee or broken toe. If the back door to the home is a glass or sliding door, homeowners should be sure to install door guards to make entry more difficult. Even though the summer may get hot, homeowners should never leave windows open more than a few inches—if the owner’s hand can reach inside, then so can a burglar’s.

After all of the doors have been reinforced, locks installed, and windows shut and locked, the homeowner may want to up the security to the highest level and have a home security system installed by a professional monitoring company. When choosing a home security system, wise homeowners don’t just wait for a random college intern to knock at the door—they are proactive. The best security system for a home is one that provides multi-point monitoring; meaning each door and window is monitored for break-ins once the system has been set. When shopping around, homeowners should find out the average response time from when the alarm is triggered and when the security system alerts the proper authorities—a home security company is only as good as its security specialists, and they should be monitoring 24 hours a day, with very little lag time between break-in and response.

An added benefit to installing a home security system is that they do so much more than protect the house from burglars. Today’s home security systems also provide fire and medical emergency alert services as well. When searching for a home security system, homeowners should ask what other services are available for nominal fees; most will monitor carbon monoxide levels, temperature drops for possible frozen pipes, and can alert the homeowner to water leaks. Homeowners should also be aware that many cities and counties require permits to operate security systems, and should not take such regulations lightly; the small permit fee is much greater than the large fine cities will levy if operated illegally! In addition, most homeowner’s insurance policies will greatly discount premiums when proof of security system is presented, which will generally more than pay for the yearly permit fee.

After the home security system has been installed, it is important to actually arm the security system! No amount of hi-tech security will protect a residence if it has never been turned on. Family members should get in the habit of keeping the system on when at home, and learning a new routine when leaving. Children should not play with the system, but should learn how to contact the security monitors in case of an emergency, and how to un-arm the system in case of an accidental alarm. Alarm codes should be easy to remember, but not so simple as the same repeated number (“5-5-5-5-5-“), or a “1-2-3-4-5” sequence, and the code should NEVER be stored on or near the key-pad. Finally, in case of an actual emergency it is always recommended to practice emergency evacuation routines with family members: teach children how to leave the home in case of a fire, flood, or other emergency, and how to contact the security professionals for help. Additionally, it is wise to teach family members where to meet if an emergency happens, and practice until each member of the home knows the routine.

Homeowners must remember: the best defense against a home break-in is a good offense. Keeping the home free from debris, reinforcing entry points, and using a quality home security service are all great ways to keep prowlers and thieves from making a home a target.