•  Inspect all locks on exterior doors. If they can be opened with a screwdriver or a credit card, replace them with single cylinder deadbolt locks.

•  Install outside lighting with motion sensors around the house and garage.

•  Consider installing an alarm system. Make sure the sign for it can be easily seen from the street.

•  Close and lock windows. Put a metal or wooden rod between windows and frames, especially in door walls.

•  Keep shrubs in front of windows no higher than three feet tall. This makes it hard for a burglar to hide in them.

•  Engrave a personal contact code on your TV and other valuables to make them harder to sell and easier to trace.

•  Join or start a neighborhood watch group.

•  Ask a relative or a neighbor you trust to watch your house. Consider leaving a key with one of them and ask them to do a periodic walk-through.

•  Put a stop on delivery of mail and newspapers.

•  Arrange for someone to mow the lawn or clear snow from the driveway and sidewalk. Ask a neighbor to park in your driveway.

•  Preset automatic light timers to keep the house   well-lit during the evening and make it look like someone is home.

•  Keep a radio on while you are gone. Set it to a 24-hour news or talk station.

•  Find out if your local police department keeps a “vacant house list.” This alerts police to drive by and check on your house if you are gone for a week or longer.