A house may very well be your biggest investment, but it’s the people who live there that truly make it home. Naturally, we want to protect our home and our family. By following a few simple tips in and around the house you can increase the level of security for your property, valuables, identity and family.

Make sure your home is a less desirable target for intruders.

-Use outdoor lighting strategically to illuminate all entrances.

-Avoid foliage near windows and doors. If you have them there currently, keep them well

trimmed so no intruders may hide there. Thorny bushes are a good deterrent.

Avoid signaling that no one is home.

-Keep the garage door closed so that access to the house is limited, people can’t see

whether your cars are home, and no one can do an inventory of your garage possessions.

-Use a combination of timed lights and radios/TVs inside.

Arrange with a neighbor to help give the house a “lived-in” look.

-Have mail and newspapers picked up.

-Have yard maintained while you are gone.

-Remember to have garbage cans taken out and brought back inside.

Your personal safety can be assisted by changing simple behavior patterns.

-Keep all windows and doors locked.

-After someone leaves your home, check all windows and doors to ensure they are locked.

-No family members, especially children, should open a door unless you know who it is.

Install peep holes on all exterior doors.

-Do not let any service personnel in your home unless you have called them for service.

-Try to have another family member or friend at home with you if someone is coming over for a service call.

-Ask for identification and verify employment before letting service people in your home.

-Do not keep a spare key hidden outside your home.

Install a monitored alarm system.

-90 percent of police believe alarms deter burglary attempts.

-A home without a security system is two to three times more likely to be burglarized.

-A monitored alarm system can notify help in cases of burglary, fire or medical needs.

(Content courtesy of Brink’s Home Security.)