Here are some basic tips for people trying to make their home and possessions more secure.

The first step is installing quality locks on all exterior doors to the home. The best choice is a deadbolt, but although some deadbolts might look strong, they may still not withstand an effort to break in. A homeowner is best advised to contact the police or a locksmith about what type of deadbolt is best.

Secondly, the homeowner should ensure the home is equipped with solid doors. Hollow core doors are easily broken through. Instead, entrance doors should be steel clad or solid core.

Thirdly, consider installing window bars, especially on basement windows commonly accessed in break-ins. The number of people installing window bars is increasing, but too often, homeowners only react after their first break-in has occurred.

Fourthly, homeowners should consider installing a home security system. The added protection might be worth the expense if the home is filled with valuables. Home security alarms may include heat and motion detectors, door contacts and glass detectors.

A safe can be installed in the home to protect jewelry and other valuables. Small safes or deposit boxes should be cemented and bolted to the wall or floor.

People should take special security precautions if they plan to be away from their homes for several days. Leaving lights on, having a neighbor put out the garbage cans on the appropriate day and arranging to have someone pick up daily mail could help keep potential break-ins from happening while the home is unoccupied.

If the home will be empty for extended periods, the homeowner in a small community could notify the police who can usually include the home on the night’s checklist.

People need to develop a habit of always locking up. A habit of leaving a spare key under the door mat needs to be broken.

It is also a good idea to mark valuables with invisible ink or an engraving pencil. The valuables should be marked with a number unique to the owner – a social insurance or driver’s license number can be used.

1. If there is need for emergency make sure your house number is clearly noticeable, so that an emergency service could find your house easily.
2. Make sure that all garage doors are locked after you have left the house
3. If there is a door which connects the garage to the house, it should be made of solid wood or metal and secured with a strong lock and dead bolt.
4. Let the garage, shed and property gates are fully secured after each use. If it is necessary, buy more secure locks.
5. Your garage door should be fitted with a strong security lock which is preferably secured to the floor
6. If you have expensive gardening equipment, such as lawn mowers, they should be locked away.
7. Get used to always locking your car door when you get back home at night.
8. If there are ladders in your garage, let them all be secured or locked away. Besides, don’t allow drain pipes be easily accessible to the upper floors.
9. In case you have locked yourself out, fix any weaknesses, which can make a burglar get easily inside.
10. Let the shrubs, trees and bushes are trimmed, so that a burglar couldn’t hide.
11. Leave any outdoor lighting switched on in the evening
12. It is safe to lock bicycles and motorbikes.
13. Make an installation of exterior security floodlighting that works with a motion sensor
14. Take into consideration security window bars if you think your windows could be smashed in order to gain access to your house.
15. Use a high security window lock to secure every window in the house
16. Check for rotting window frames and replace if there is need for it.
17. Never leave the doors unlocked even if you go out for a couple of minutes and especially at night.
18. Give extra keys to a neighbor you can rely on and never leave them under the front doormat or in a flowerpot.
19. Your external doors should be of solid hardwood or metal construction. Glass panels should be reinforced. Set a peephole to see who is at the door.
20. Let a deadbolt lock be set into the frame of the door.
21. Make sure you have emergency telephone numbers next to your telephone.
22. If you use interior timers for your lamps, it will leave the impression that someone is at home.
23. During your vacation, cancel any deliveries and papers
24. Keep firearms security locked in an appropriate firearms cupboard. This should be fitted with a trigger guard lock.
25. Keep all your valuables in a security safe or deposit them in a bank
26. Tell a trustworthy neighbor that you are going on holiday, so they can watch over your property.
27. Take digital photos of your possessions and valuables and transfer them to DVD. Put the DVD in a bank safety deposit box. Keep an up to date inventory of all of your staff.
28. Mark all valuable items, such as your computer, TV, Hi-Fi with a security code which is recognized by your local police.
29. Let the alarm be activated when you leaving your property.
30. Ensure that your whole family is aware of an evacuation procedure in case there is an emergency such as fire.