1. Keep your doors locked. It sounds simple, but in nearly half of all home burglaries, intruders gain access through unlocked doors. All outside doors should be fitted with deadlocks. And never leave keys in locks or hidden in your yard. Leave a set with a neighbor.

2. Keep your windows locked. Make sure your ground floor windows are fitted with strong locks. If any windows are near drainpipes or flat roofs, put a lock on them as well.

3. Never make it obvious you're away. Use timer switches to switch on lamps and radios at certain times and have the post office hold your mail. Leave blinds or drapes open in their usual position. And have your lawn mowed or your walk shoveled.

4. Get to know your neighbors. . They can keep an eye out for suspicious activity around your home and keep you aware of any criminal activity in the area.

5. Keep trees and hedges trimmed. This gives intruders fewer places to hide while they try to break into your home.

6. Make sure your home is well lit. Always have replacement bulbs for your outdoor lights handy so you can replace them as soon as they burn out. Consider upgrading to motion detectors that turn on the lights whenever anyone walks past.

7. Don't hide things in obvious places. Thieves know that most valuables are kept in the bedroom, so don't think yours are safe there. And don't hide them in typical places like a dresser drawer, the freezer, under the mattress, or in the cookie jar.

8. Don't keep a lot of cash or small valuable in the home. Keep jewelry or other valuables locked in a safe or well hidden. Large items like TVs, VCRs, computers, and stereos can be bolted to tables, making them too much of a bother to steal.

9. If you have an alarm, use it. If you don't, get one. Learn more about the monitoring systems available in your area. Ask friends and neighbors for recommendations.

Several national security companies have local representatives who will install a system for you at a very attractive introductory price (sometimes even free) when you commit to a certain length of monitoring.

The axiom "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure," seems to be written for home and auto security. The are many things we can do to help prevent burglary, car theft, and personal injury. By making a couple little adjustments in our lives, we can live more securely and safely.

HOME SAFETY

Here are some things that you can do to make you and your family more safe:

USE DEADBOLT LOCKS
A deadbolt lock can be easily installed in most solid wood doors. (It does require drilling and chiseling.) A deadbolt lock uses a sliding metal bolt that connects through the door into the doorjamb. The bolt makes the entry way door extremely difficult to breakdown. Deadbolt locks should be used on each exterior door and the interior door leading up from the basement. A deadbolt lock requires a key to lock and unlock the door. This means that even if a burglar gains entry into your house, possibly through a broken window, there is no way that he can use the door unless he finds a key. Keep deadbolt lock keys hidden and safe.

INSTALL A PEEP HOLE
A peephole allows someone inside to look outside through a small lens. Doors should never be opened to strangers. Peepholes let us see who is on the outside wanting to get in.

USE CHAIN BOLTS
A chain bolt is even more easily installed than a deadbolt lock. All of the work is done on the surface of the door and the doorjamb. A chain bolt allows people inside to open the door slightly to allow items to be passed through. They look more formidable than they really are, so don't rely on them solely for security. Make sure that the door doesn't open wide enough to allow an intruder's hand to slip through and disengage the chain.

INSTALL WINDOW FILM
Properly installed window film can give you windows that are almost impenatrable. The window film adheres to the inside or your windows and adds super strength to the glass.

TRIM BUSHES AND TREES
Bushes and trees should be trimmed so that no one can hide in the foliage near your entry. Trimmed bushes and trees do double duty. They keep pests away from your home walls, too.

INSTALL A BURGLAR/ FIRE ALARM
For a few hundred dollars you can install a burglar alarm system in your house. For better protection, you can have a monitored alarm system from a security system professional. Monitored alarm systems respond to break-ins by notifying the police or fire departments. Monitored systems cost for installation and a monthly service charge, but also help reduce some insurance costs. Many systems also have panic buttons to instantly call for help.

PURCHASE A PERSONAL ALARM
Personal alarms are about the size of a Snickers candy bar. When turned on the emit a loud shreak to hopefully scare off burglars. For as little as five dollars some protection is afforded. Keep personal alarms by the entries and by your bed.

INSTALL MOTION DETECTOR LIGHTING
Motion detector lighting can be hard-wired or plugged in. A motion detector senses motion over a 180 degree field. You can adjust the sensitivity. Motion detector lighting is used to both scare off intruders and to assist family members. Just think how nice it would be to enter your carport and have the lights come on instantly showing you a clear field of vision to your entry way.

MAKE NOISE
Leave a stereo on. It doesn't have to be loud. It confuses burglars if they can't tell what's going on inside your home. It doesn't always stop them, but it slows them down and sometimes they'll just pass you by if you can raise a doubt in their minds.

USE TIMER CONTROLLED LIGHTS
Timer controlled lights, interior and exterior, create an illusion of people at home even though no one is. If someone is home, they create an illusion of more than one person being home. Alter the turn-on/turn-off times periodically.

USE REMOTE CONTROL LIGHTS
Remote controls can turn on plug-in lighting either for interior or exterior. These are great for turning on the lights as you drive up to your home or garage. The cost is about $25.00.

CLICK HERE to order a video about home safety.

AUTOMOBILE SAFETY

KNOW WHERE YOU'RE GOING
The time to decide where you're going is before you get into your car. If you need to look at a map, read it before you get into your car. If you need to refer to the map once you're on the road, pull into a service station or an area where there are lots of people.

PARK IN WELL -LIGHTED AREAS
Never park in dark areas or any areas near bushes and shrubs where attackers can hide. Park in well-lighted areas where you can easily see your car and anyone nearby.

ALWAYS CARRY A BLANKET
Wool military surplus blankets can be purchased for about ten dollars. They are an invaluable safety tool. A blanket can be used to hide parcels and packages. Cover them up with the blanket and put a hat on top. It'll look like someone sleeping. A blanket could also be used to protect your clothing if you have car trouble and you have to get underneath your car. A blanket can also be used for warmth if you get stranded in a snow storm.

NEVER LEAVE VALUABLES IN PLAIN SIGHT
If you leave valuables in your car where they can be seen, you're asking for trouble. If you have packages, hide them away in the trunk or covered up with a lap blanket.

CELLULAR PHONE
Purchase a cellular phone and keep it with you. If you run into car trouble you can call for help. Dial 911 at any sign of trouble.

KEEP YOUR DOORS LOCKED AND YOUR WINDOWS UP
As soon as you get in your car, you should lock your doors. Keep your windows up. Start your car and then put your seatbelt on. Always keep your doors locked as you drive.

STAY ALERT AT STOP SIGNS AND STOP LIGHTS
As you slow down for a stop sign or stop light, look for people standing near the corners. Keep an eye out for movement from behind bushes and shrubs, also.

HAVE YOUR WINDOWS TINTED
Having your car windows tinted makes it harder for attackers to judge who you are and how many people are in your car. Tinted windows also make it more difficult for criminals to look in your car when they are searching for valuables.

SPARE TIRE IN A CAN
You can purchase cans of compressed air and sealant for flat tires. Instead of having to jack up your car on a lonely road or a busy highway, it's a lot easier just to screw a plastic tube into your tire's air valve from an aerosol can. The can fills the flat tire and the sealent spreads itself around the inside of the tire as you drive away, temporarily repairing your flat.

KEEP A FLASHLIGHT & BATTERIES IN THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT
Even an inexpensive flashlight can save your life. You can use a flashlight to read maps, to read road signs, and to check surrounding landscape before you leave the safety of your car.

STEERING WHEEL LOCKS
Steering wheel locks, bars that lock around the steering wheel, are good options for most cars. They keep away the small-time theif.

KEEP YOUR WINDSHIELD FREE OF CHIPS & CRACKS
Chips and cracks in car windshields can distort forward vision. Insurance companies usually help with replacement costs and sometimes pay for the entire amount. Older cars, antique cars, and street rods may have a little tougher time finding window glass, but there are some custom auto glass firms who specialize in hard-to-find auto glass.

PURCHASE A CAR ALARM
Car alarms also keep away the small-time theif, which is good enough in most situations. Alarms that have flickering lights or audio warning of intruders when they get too close to the car are very good options to have.

PURCHASE A PERSONAL ALARM
A small battery operated alarm that shreaks is good protection against car intruders trying to break into your car when you're in it. Sports whistles are good to carry, also. Keep them easily accessible from the driver's seat area.

HAVE A DEPENDABLE CAR
Buy a new, or newer car. There's nothing worse than having an automobile that doesn't get you to your destination OR can't bring you back home. Keep your car tuned up and running well.

CLICK HERE to read about a safety training video concerning defensive driving and preparing for the worst.

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