Burglar-Proof Your House

Short tips to burglar-proof your house. Think like a thief and examine the exterior for trouble spots. Look in back, too, for patio doors or low roofs that lead to an upstairs window. Avoid hiding spots by trimming bushes. Light up the yard with motion-detecting lights, decorative gaslights, or even an extra city street light if allowed. Install an alarm system and use it each time you leave home. Get a dog. Ask your neighbors for help when you are away. They can watch to make sure mail and newspapers do not pile up. Install bolts, extra key locks, even bars on windows, but be sure they can be removed in case of fire. Don’t give copies of your house key to repair people, cleaning help or even family members you have reason to distrust.