Here's another idea. Force any would-be burglar to confront a real enemy—light. Exterior lights and motion detectors, mounted out of easy reach, can reduce the darkness a burglar finds comforting. In addition, simple security devices—nails, screws, padlocks, door and window locks, grates, bars and bolts—can increase the amount of time it takes to break into your home. You should also consider investing in a burglar alarm. The most effective ones also ring at an outside service.

Take it to the street
Consider the outside view too. Are any of your valuables (paintings, a silver collection, computer, etc.) easy to see from outside the house? Rearranging your furnishings might be advisable if it makes your home less inviting to criminals.

A peephole or a wide-angle viewer in the door is safer for identifying visitors than a door chain.

Sliding glass doors present a special problem because they are easy to open, but if you have these doors, you can find special locks for them. A broomstick in the door channel can also help, but cannot be depended on.

Windows
Key locks are available for all types of windows. Double-hung windows can be secured simply by "pinning" the upper and lower frames together. To do this, drill a small hole on the inside of the window frame where the upper and lower windows meet. Insert a nail into the hole, which can be removed from the inside.

For windows at street level or on fire escapes, consider installing metal accordion gates.

Protect your keys
Don't carry house keys on a key ring bearing your home address or leave house keys with your car in a commercial parking lot or with an attendant. Also, don't hide your keys in "secret" places outside your home. Burglars usually know where to look.

Other ideas

• Arrange to have your lawn mowed in summer and your walk and driveway shoveled in winter.
• Stop newspaper deliveries.
• Ask a friend to pick up "throw-away" newspapers and circulars and return garbage cans and recycle bins from the end of your driveway.
• Use automatic timers to turn lights on and off in various parts of the house at appropriate times. You might even want to connect a radio to a timer.
• Tell police and dependable neighbors when you plan to be away and join with your neighbors to keep a close watch on what's happening in your area—working closely with them is a good way to prevent crime.

• Most burglars enter through the front door
• Only 13% of burglaries are ever solved
• Most burglaries occur between July and August