My next Door neighbor’s home was recently robbed while they were away for the weekend. They estimate the burglars got away with over $10,000 in jewelry, electronics and tools, not to mention the way they trashed the inside of the house. That kind of reality check can really shake one’s peace of mind. My husband and I immediately went to work making some simple household changes to protect our family and property from the same fate – and so should you.

I know this one sounds obvious, but few people are truly vigilant about keeping their doors and windows locked at all times. And by “all times,” I mean whether you’re home or not. Burglaries that occur while people are home (otherwise known as home invasions) are especially dangerous for obvious reasons. In many instances, the crooks just walk right in through an unlocked door. It’s worth spending two to three minutes quickly checking every lock in the house before you go to bed and anytime you leave the house. Also, don’t make yourself vulnerable for the sake of convenience. Leaving a door unlocked or stashing a key outside for a neighbor are major security mistakes.