So what are we all doing wrong? Well, in addition to hidden keys, careless homeowners also leave windows open and Twitter their whereabouts openly. In addition, we rely on our hesitant and sometimes oblivious neighbors to save us from break-ins. These are definitely areas that we all need to work on, and burglary statistics only validate this.

The majority of ex-burglars agree that household break-ins are simple, and even though there are new security systems and obstacles, no job is impossible. This admission might make you raise your eyebrows.

Although you might think burglars are common crooks who have no education and just want to sell someone’s expensive possessions for drugs or cash, these individuals are smarter than you might think. These types of criminals actually do their homework by researching a target home ahead of time. How do they do this without really knowing you? Well, in addition to casing your home from a far, they also look to social media outlets such as Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, Foursquare, etc. to determine where you’re at and how long you will be away. Of course, they can also figure out that you’re away if a sticky note is left on your door or if the mail is piling up.

In a research project performed by Home Insurance, almost half of ex-burglars revealed that nosy neighbors were not an issue. For about 28 percent of the time, neighbors ignore or pretend not to see what is happening. Think about it from their perspective…isn’t it easier not to get involved?

The viewpoint from a reformed house burglar is priceless, and it makes you realize how susceptible everyone and anyone is to a break-in.

It’s a misconception that home security has to be expense. Although it can be pricey, you can start with simple things such as updated locks for your windows and doors. Home improvement stores carry these, and instead of paying a professional locksmith, you can install them yourself by following the directions. Did you know that burglars more often than not gain access to people’s homes right through the front and back doors? Or another easy target for them to get through are ground floor windows. Just because you’re in a rush or it’s nice outside, doesn’t justify leaving your doors and windows unlocked.

If you’re going to invest in a security system, it’s important to figure out where you family spends most of its time. The reason for this is that you want to have the security centers in an accessible place such as the living room or bedroom. However, you also want these in a room where you can easily escape from in case of an emergency. Basic security systems can give you 24/7 security under an affordable plan.

It’s also beneficial to remind yourself of vulnerable points of entry such as pet doors, hollow-cored doors and unbolted outside doors. Maybe you can’t change or eliminate these areas, but you can put door and window sensors. Security companies have even created pet immunity sensors so your pet can still go in and out but no one else can.

Even simple keychain alarms can protect you. When you have tall shrubs in the yard as well as shaded areas near the garage, a burglar has several ways of getting closer to your home. Triggering the keychain alarm when you notice them will scare them away. However, the keychain alarm isn’t going to do you good if you’re not home, which is where a surveillance system comes into play.

There are so many home security risks that homeowners should be concerned about. Obviously, you can’t eliminate them all, but you can at least try to make steps toward decreasing the risks.

It’s best to have a security routine before you leave the house and while you’re at home, but you have to start somewhere. So below are some steps you should follow when you’re home for the night from work.

• Turn on an inside or outside light near your front door and back door. It’s more convenient if you can set the light on a timer. This way if you don’t make it home before it starts to get dark, the light will already be on for you.
• Set your house alarm when you’re ready to settle down for the evening. Alarm systems are not cheap, so if you pay for it, why not take the step to turn it on? It’s not going to do you much good unless you have it on, so put it on before you retire to the living room or bedroom.
• Review your surveillance cameras from the day. Were there any suspicious people at your door? Did any unusual cars stop at the end of your driveway? Small details like these are important, especially when someone breaks into your home. Also, don’t forget to check that your cameras are working and that they are activated.
• Check that all windows and doors are shut and locked. Even go down to the cellar, because you never know if someone has been tampering with your door or window in preparation to break in when you’re not around. This is a wise step, because if you have children, it’s hard to tell what they have left open or unlocked.

Abiding by your security routine will not only give you a sense of security, it will make your house less of a target. By being more aware of your surroundings and using the security features you already have, your home will be safer.

1. The first order of business is to change the locks on your new home. The previous owners could have an extra key or maybe one of the neighbors has one. You don’t want to take your chances. In order to decrease this expense, purchase the locks at a local home improvement store and install them yourself. If you don’t have deadbolt locks, take this opportunity to buy and install them.
2. Next, install a peephole in your door if you don’t already have one. Now when someone, possibly a new neighbor, knocks on your door, you will be able to see who it is and if they’re carrying anything with them. If you have children, this can prevent them from opening the door to strangers.
3. Reset any programmable locks. For example, if your garage or shed has a keypad, change the numerical password. Avoid using obvious dates or numbers such as your birthday or social security number.
4. Double check all of the locks on your windows to see if they are functioning properly. At least replace or fix the locking mechanisms that are broken. Then in a year or two you can assess whether or not you need to replace or update all of the windows.
5. Keep a fire extinguisher on each floor of the house. With a new home, it’s hard to tell what is ready to break or you might not know all of the quirks yet. When you’re using a new stove or hot water heater, there is always a chance of accidents happening so be prepared for them.
6. Prepare an emergency supply kit and place it in an accessible area. You should take time to put this kit together even if you don’t have all of your belongings unpacked, because you never know when a natural disaster or other emergency will strike.

Moving into a new home is sure to bring new adventures, but at least take the time and money to secure it as much as you can. Even if you can set aside a hundred dollars to setup outdoor and indoor security lighting, you are making a difference.

Because this text discusses basic home security, it’s the perfect starting point. Plus, it also provides you with information on preventing house fires and accidents. This book is a tool that you can use as a companion to the articles posted on this site, so you can make your home as safe as possible.

The book includes text as well as diagrams, which comes in handy when you’re attempting DIY installations. There are 22 chapters that take a closer look at home security, and as you continue reading, you learn that a smoke detector and telephone are not all you need when it comes to protecting your home and family. Some important issues the chapters cover include why a home security plan is essential and how to create one, the basics of protection and home security issues.

In the second section of the text, you will learn how to assess your home. What security measures do you already have in place? How risky is your neighborhood? By calculating your risks and learning more about your surroundings, you become more aware of dangers as well as what you need for protection. After learning how to assess your risks, you might realize that you need more security devices such as a door phone.

However, home security updates come with a price. Instead of going in debt to make your home secure, the book goes over a security budget as well as inexpensive home security options. You might not like the idea of starting a neighborhood crime watch since it requires your time, but it doesn’t cost you anything except time.

The text also takes a look at security alarms (how to choose a safe and inexpensive one). There is a chapter dedicated to wireless security system installation, so you can refer to this section if you have issues with the setup.

As with all security plans, they are not completely fool proof. However, when you think them through and have a quality reference to guide you, it will be easier to figure out what the best type of surveillance is for your home.

• Never go inside of your home if things look questionable. For instance, maybe the screen is slit, a window is broken or a door is kicked in. Instead of going inside and possibly risking your life, contact the police immediately from your cell phone or a neighbor’s phone. Also, keep watch on the house from a safe distance, because you might be able to get valuable information about the thief (appearance, car, clothing, etc.).
• Contact your local crime-prevention organization, especially if you’re new to homeownership. Instead of relying on a landlord to keep your home safe, it’s up to you. The crime-prevention organization will most likely have helpful tips and guides to share with you.
• Update the hardware on your fire doors and always keep this door secure. Because fire doors are meant for emergencies, it’s easy to forget about them. However, burglars see these doors as an opportunity, especially if you leave it unlocked. Make sure the door is safe enough for you to exit through it but secure enough so people from the outside cannot get in.
• Whether you have a family or live with roommates, sit down and discuss the importance of home security. Make sure the people living with you are not giving out extra keys to acquaintances or leaving the doors and windows unlocked or open when they go to work. Everyone views home security differently, and some people think that it will never happen to them, which can put you at risk if this is your roommate’s point of view.
• Never put your guard down. Some people think that once they have been robbed, it will never happen again. However, maybe the reason they were robbed in the first place was because they weren’t following simple safety precautions.
• Purchase a security robot for your home. This is an innovative way to keep surveillance, because you can check your home from the Internet and even filter messages through the robot such as, “The cops are on the way!”
• Join a neighborhood association or watch. Even if you have regular lunches with people from your neighborhood, this can give you a chance to bring up home security or anything suspicious that you’ve seen.

1. Store ladders, garbage cans and other tools in your garage where people cannot easily access them. You don’t want to give burglars the tools to break into your home. If you can lock these items in a shed, that would be best.
2. Assess your mailbox and make sure your name is not on it. Strangers can easily find your number through directory assistance and find out if you’re home. One way to enhance your mailbox is to put big, bold numbers on it so emergency services can find your home quickly.
3. Plant thorny shrubs and other rough plants such as cacti or rose bushes near your doors and under your windows to discourage burglars. Would you want to risk injuries breaking into a home, or would you just move on to a less risky house? It’s also wise to keep your landscaping well groomed. For instance, you don’t want tree limbs to reach an upper-story window or balcony.
4. Use alarm company signs, neighborhood watch stickers and dog warnings as deterrents. When a burglar sees these signs, it will throw up a red flag for them to avoid your home.
5. Use a fog machine to make your property look less inviting.
6. Choose a privacy fence with iron railing and spikes. Although solid fences provide you with complete privacy, they will give burglars more cover so neighbors can’t spot them. Other acceptable fence options include picket and chain-link.
7. Motion-sensor lights on all sides of your home can be a beneficial and inexpensive security enhancement. Try to install them high and out of reach, so a burglar cannot easily dismantle them.
8. Install a wireless annunciator to alert you when someone is within 50 feet of your property.
9. Setup motion sensor cameras, so you don’t waste your hard-drive space. If you can access your surveillance cameras via the Internet, this can come in handy when you’re on vacation or away on business.
10. Use old baby video monitors to watch other areas of your property.

These ten tips can help you be more aware of your front and backyard regardless of where you might be. Even if you can only afford to make a few of these changes, it will help reduce your chance of having a break in.

10 Low-Cost Home Security Improvements

1. Trim Bushes and Trees Near Doors and Windows — If you have shrubbery that conceals a door or window, it can provide cover for a burglar fiddling with a lock or breaking the glass.  If neighbors or passers-by can’t see what’s going on around your house, it gives a burglar just the right environment for shady work.  Improve your security by clearing the entrances to your home so anyone trying to break in will be in plain sight.
2. Switch Your Regular Outdoor Lighting to Motion or Heat Sensing Lights — Make sure all the walkways and driveways around your house can be lit by outdoor lights at night, and to save on energy costs, install motion- or heat-sensing units that will come on automatically if someone approaches your home in the dark.  This ties in with number 1: burglars like dark nooks–they’re less likely to bother a home if they know odds are good of them being seen.
3. Make It Seem Like Someone Is Always at Home — If you work all day or you’re heading out of town for a vacation, you can install timers for your lights and even some of your electronics (i.e. make the television turn on in the evenings even if no one is at home).  Most thieves don’t want to risk confronting a homeowner and are less likely to break in if they think someone is at home.
4. Upgrade Exterior Doors and Window Locks — A lot of homeowners have old doors and old (or non-existing) window locks.  If a door looks like it’d be easy to kick down, it’s more of an invitation to a thief than a solid wood or fiberglass door.  Make sure your exterior doors are made from solid-core wood or even metal, and also install a deadbolt and maybe even other door lock upgrades for further protection.
5. Secure Sliding Glass Doors with Charley Bars -- Sliding glass doors can be vulnerable home security spots.  Not only is glass easily broken, but the locks are often inadequate, and it’s not difficult for thieves to force sliding doors open along their tracks.  A simple security upgrade is to install a charley bar or even just place a length of wood in the track.  This prevents the door from sliding along the track until the bar is removed.  You can also get a special slider lock, which mounts on the surface of the upper door frame and has a key that extends the bolt up into the jamb.
6. Upgrade Locks on Basement and Garage Windows — Basements and garages make appealing targets for burglars looking to gain entrance to the house, since they’re rarely used by the family and they’re usually farther away from living areas.  A thief might be able to break the glass on a garage window without alerting someone who is in the living room.  Consider beefing up the security on these entry points.  You can use metal grilles or grates, but if you don’t like that prison-cell look, you can also get keyed sash locks that are made out of sturdy aluminum.
7. Use Deterring Signs and Stickers — Sometimes an illusion of security is enough to make a burglar look for an easier target.  If you have dogs, consider a “beware of dog” poster for the front gate (hey, no one needs to know you have an 8-pound couch potato for a dog).  You could place a sign there even if you don’t have a dog.  And many folks install fake security cameras and stickers that suggest they have a home security system.  These fake security signs and stickers don’t cost much but they might create an illusion of greater security.
8. Install a Strong Lock and Door Between the House and the Garage — Another reason an attached garage is a prime target is because once a burglar makes it inside he is concealed from the street and neighbors.  He has plenty of time to try and get into the house through the door, so make sure that door is also solid core and secured by good locks.
9. Secure Outbuildings and Put Away Tools — You might not think a garden shed full of lawn maintenance tools would attract a burglar, but if you’ve got things like axes, ladders, shovels, etc. in there, they can aid a thief in breaking into your main house.  Take a look at the things laying around your yard–could they be used to break a window or gain access to less secure second story windows?  If so, lock them up!
10. Don’t Use Hide-a-Keys – Folks always think they’re clever when putting keys under rocks or over door frames.  You might as well just leave the key sticking in the door, because burglars are wise to all these “hide a key” devices.  If you’re truly afraid you’ll lose the house key and won’t be able to get in yourself, consider getting a biometric door lock (one that is opened by your thumb print) or a touchpad door lock that opens to a number combination (like using an ATM touchpad).

There you go: 10 simple home security upgrades that won’t cost a fortune.  Now go out and make your house safe!