Crime-Proofing Your Home
Crime is no longer isolated to certain areas in a city; it has become has become an issue which dominates our news, politics and conversation, and which can arrive unexpectedly at our own doorstep. There is no need to feel helpless. Taking a few simple--but smart--measures can greatly increase your home security:

* Keep your doors locked and make sure all doors have deadbolt locks of at least 1" to 1 1/2".

* Have "pry-proof" locks on your windows.

* Keep shrubbery trimmed so that neighbors can see your windows and entrances and they don''t serve as hiding places for intruders.

* Keep all entrances well-lighted at night. There are a variety of inexpensive spotlight systems with motion sensors which will turn on the lights when any movement takes place within a certain range.

If you are thinking about getting a pet, a dog would be a good choice. Convicted burglars who have been interviewed say that dogs are the most influential deterrent for a would-be break-in.