Law enforcement records and statistics indicate that the majority of home burglaries are committed by youths who live in the victim’s neighborhood, rather than by professional burglars. But, young or old, amateur or professional, all burglars have much in common:

• They will shy away from homes that look occupied.
• They will avoid homes which display security system warnings.
• They don’t want to be seen.
• They don’t want to make noise.

With these common traits in mind, here are some simple suggestions to help you out-smart even the burglars who might live not-so-far-away. If you don’t already have them prominently displayed, calls us about adding window decals and yard signs to your burglar-deterrent arsenal. It’s a statistical fact that a home with a security system is three-times less likely to be burglarized. Decals and yard signs are the easiest way to scare-off would-be burglars before they ever set foot on your property.

The next suggestions are obvious, but we believe that it never hurts to repeat them. Your security system can’t protect your home and family if you don’t use it. Get into the habit of “last one out” arms the system—even if you’re just running an errand that won’t take long. Keep your entry code private. Just like your PIN numbers for credit cards and bank ATMs, your entry code protects your assets. Review the importance of code secrecy with any youngsters in your household, and encourage them never to show-off by letting their friends see how to disarm your system. Keeping your home, your family and your possessions safe from burglars—young or old, neighbor or stranger— doesn’t require iron bars and electric fences. A little vigilance and a lot of common sense can go a long away.