Now that you've settled into your dream home, isn't it time to start thinking about the security of your home? For too many homeowners, security is an afterthought.

This year one out of every six homes will be burglarized, and burglars only need about sixty seconds to break into a home. That's according to crime reports from the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The statistics are staggering, but there are ways to prevent such crime from happening to you and your family.

Try these tips:

1. Keep all doors and windows locked.

2. Install flood lights or censor lights on the exterior of the home, and keep lights on inside the home as well; burglars are far less likely to enter a well-lit residence.

3. Keep a well-manicured lawn. This can emphasize that you pay close attention to your home, whereas an overgrown lawn can suggest vacancy to a possible burglar.

4. When traveling, make sure you have someone checking on the house collecting your mail and newspapers; a pile of papers on the driveway is a tell-tale sign that your family is away.

5. Have an alarm system installed. Make sure all household members are trained properly in working the alarm and use it daily; a top-notch security system is useless if it isn't used or is used improperly.

Of course no method is 100 percent effective against burglaries, but you can significantly reduce your chances of being targeted.

Published: January 31, 2008

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