1. No matter how long you leave your residence for, lock all doors ,windows (including garage and porches)

2. Do not leave easily moveable items around outside which could be of assistance to a thief in gaining entry to your place (ladders, tools for smashing windows etc.).

3. Create the appearance that someone is always around even if you go on holidays. Use timers to vary the interior lighting patterns of your residence. Do not leave outside porch lights on during the daytime. Leave a radio on in your absence. Cancel your newspaper delivery in any extended absences or have a trusted neighbor or friend pick up your paper and mail on a daily basis so there is no buildup telling prospective thieves "This place is Unoccupied!"

4. Keep lights on outside your perimeter at night or use motion sensitive lighting to illuminate your property. Thieves do not want to be seen. Darkness is an invitation to target you.

5. An alarm system does not have to be expensive to be effective. If you have one, make sure it is working properly. (Many thieves will use one day to disable your alarm system and run away, only to return a while later knowing you have probably not had it fixed yet.)

6. Trim shrubbery and trees or hedges near your residence as these can provide cover for thieves even if you have exterior lighting.

7. Look at your property from a thieves perspective in both daylight and darkness. Analyze how you would break into your house if you were the thief.

8. Videotape and inventory the exterior and interior of your place. Make sure you tape all the valuables and are then able to identify them if they are stolen. In the absence of receipts and / or appraisals, the video or pictures may be the only way to prove your lose to an insurer.

9. Never allow a stranger into your house to "use the phone". If there appears to be a real emergency, you make the phone call for them while they wait outside your locked door. You may also consider bringing your remote telephone to the front door for them to use. You should make sure the telephone number is not visible to them on your telephone, especially if it is unlisted. Once they have your telephone number, they can call your place with a ell phone from outside your residence, and, if there is no answer, you have just indicated no one is home and therefore good to break into.... (This "Can I Use Your phone" ruse is an often used tactic by thieves to gain entry to case the place for a later B&E)

10. Never leave keys in "Hiding Places" such as under doormats, in flower pots outside, around door-jams or frames, window sills or any of the other places that any thief would think to look.

11. If you are your neighbors eyes, they can be yours in your absence. Whenever you see someone who does not appear to belong in you neighborhood or is acting suspiciously, keep an eye on them for a few minutes to confirm your suspicions. Call the police and have them checked out. Make a note of the physical description including clothing worn and if you see them near or in a vehicle, get the license number if possible. If that is not possible, at least be able to describe the vehicle. They may not be about to Do an B&E, they may already have Done one and are leaving the area.

12. Ask your local Police Department about starting a "BlockWatch" or similar program in your neighborhood. They do work if the Neighborhood agrees to become pro-active in it's own protection !

13. Get to know your neighbors. It is only they who can be your eyes and witnesses in your absence. And you theirs !

Always remember to trust your instincts ................. If something or someone doesn't seem right or seems out of place ...... call the Police ..... give them the opportunity to decide if all is right ........ If you are wrong they will be thankful you called ......... if you are right, they will be even more thankful. They are the trained investigators with the duty to protect you and protect your safety ................