The Best Anti-Theft Device Is The One Device You Can't See

Burglaries can happen at any time and any place and can happen to anyone. However, when it's planned, there are certain things a burglar will look for when staking out a possible break-in, and there are steps the homeowner can take to minimize this risk.

This is a good checklist before leaving your home empty or for beefing up your protection against theft:

Study your house from the street, and look for any valuables that may be visible from the street. Don't give thieves a reason to show up.

Make sure that before you leave your home, all your windows and doors are locked, even if you're leaving only for a few minutes. The garage doors and inner doors often serve as the entry point for many a would-be burglar. Ensure that your doors have deadbolt locks with a reinforced strike plate and one-inch throw.

Your sliding doors need to be blocked with a piece of metal or wood so they wouldn't get opened forcibly.

Don't give thieves a reason by breaking into a dark house - set up timers on your lights, television set or your radio to make it look like somebody's there.

Keep your front yard well lighted with low-voltage lighting. Install motion detectors in dark areas along the sides and back of house to alert you of any intruders.

Your neighbor can handle your mail when you're out of town, and forgo your daily paper delivery for the meantime - yesterday's news isn't news anymore, after all. You may even ask them to park in your driveway while you're away.

Never leave a message on your answering machine that says you're on vacation.

Keep any shrubbery near your walkway or entrance trimmed; removing any possible hiding places. Think about planting cactus or rosebushes under windows that may be especially vulnerable.

Give sufficient notice to your neighborhood watch about any vacations or extended time away from home.

Ensure your security system is activated when you leave.

All electronic equipment must be etched or labeled with your name, so that if they do get stolen, police can have an easier time recovering them. This could also make it harder for thieves to sell your stolen gear - schadenfraude, perhaps, but at least they won't benefit much. Video tape your possessions accordingly and take note of the serial numbers.

Get a safe, not just for your jewels, but for important paperwork as well. The threat of identity theft continues to grow, and you wouldn't want anybody stealing your important papers - and your identity too.

The more you can do to deter an intruder, the better your chances are that your home will not be chosen as a target. If it takes a thief about five minutes or so to figure out a way to burgle a home, he will most likely move on to the next, according to studies. If you increase their vulnerability by adding a well-lit area or a barking dog, that minimizes your risk again.

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