Alarms are good, but dogs are better for preventing burglaries.
Always lock your doors and windows. Many thefts occur when doors and windows are left unlocked.
Close blinds and shades at night.
If you live alone, use only initials or last names on your mailbox.
If you come home and find a door or window opened or signs of forced entry, do not go into your house, call the police immediately.
Install and use deadbolt locks.
Install a peephole in the door and use it.
Keep outside areas well-lit.
Never provide personal information to subjects calling that you do not know.
Never let a stranger into your house when you are alone; no matter the reason, never give the appearance to a stranger that you are home alone.
Outside doors to residences, including the one between your house and garage, need to be solid and fit tightly in their frame. Hinges should be inside the door.
Rotate leaving different lights on when you're away. Use light timers if you are away for an extended amount of time.
Secure sliding glass doors with locks and place a dowel in the door's track to prevent it from sliding open when you're not home.
Trim back shrubbery that hides doors or windows, cut back tree limbs that could help a thief climb into a second-story window.
Verify the identity and legitimacy of any sales or service person before letting them into your house.
