A home burglary is terrifying. It can leave you frustrated, angry, scared, and sad. It’s a good habit to periodically examine your home, routines, and security to prevent these break-ins from happening.

Begin by asking yourself these questions:

• Can anything expensive be seen through the windows?
• Could a burglar hide in your bushes?
• Is your house well-lit at night?
• Do people in the home have routines that make it easy to figure out when the best time is to break in?

Here are some great tips to deter burglars:

• Keep doors (including the garage) and windows locked
• Turn on exterior lights, especially those near points of entry, at night
• Trim bushes and hedges to 3’ or shorter to eliminate hiding spots
• Place timed floodlights in tall trees
• Gravel is loud when you step on it. Place it near windows.
• Use motion-activated lights to not only startle the burglar, but also to increase visibility
• Put expensive bikes, grills, and other items in the garage and out of site
• Install an alarm system
• Apply opaque material to garage windows, so no one can see in
• Keep your car locked in the driveway