According to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting Program, burglary accounts for more than 20 percent of property crime in the United States alone. Out of offenses known to the Police, it's estimated that an unlawful entry is attempted, on the average, every 15 seconds. These stats do not include acts of larceny-theft.

To reduce the risk of home intrusion you should adopt a protection first perspective. There are basic steps that you can take as a homeowner that can go a long way toward keeping your home out of harm's way. Actions such as locking doors and arranging for neighbours to watch your house, are free and just require a little planning and awareness.

Other solutions, such as the installation of a sophisticated alarm system, or surveillance cameras can range in cost from modest to expensive. But whatever the outlay, it really should be viewed as an investment in your home, your possessions and more importantly, the safety of your loved ones - which means peace of mind.

Start by thinking of your home from the perspective of a potential thief. Walk around the outside and try to spot weaknesses, possible points of entry, areas where a housebreaker can gain undetected access. Scale back bushes that can serve as camouflage. Think about the unprotected windows that are low to the ground.

You should also perform the same review at night. Consider the lights and shadows around your home. Think about any pathways that a stranger can walk down unheard and unseen. Notice any curtains and shutters that are open and that allow a well-lit view of your home's interior.

Start by addressing the basics that cost little or nothing. A sturdy wooden or metal dowel can bar a sliding window or patio door. Good bolt locks won't keep out every professional, but they'll slow down most amateurs. Make reciprocal arrangements with the nearby neighbours to watch their place, while they watch yours. Agree to collect each other's daily mail, newspapers and junk mail.

Burglars seek out an easy mark and your house is an easier target when you're away. It's simple but smart to create the appearance that somebody is actually at home when it's unoccupied for any period of time. Install a few inexpensive, electronic timers around the house. Stereos, TVs and lights that go on and off at random will simulate normal household living. A dozen of these electronic timers can generally be purchased for $100 or so - even less if you're a good shopper.:-)

There are many monitored, home alarm systems that will maintain around the clock protection for your home at a cost of about a dollar per day. That's a pretty low 'insurance' premium against what could be a very expensive loss. Alarm company signage and stickers are also a visible deterrent to would be intruders.

Installing an alarm system can also lower your homeowner's insurance premiums - check with your insurance company - or broker. Some alarm systems can be installed without professional assistance and several have low-cost battery backups so they still function during a power outage (natural or burglar-induced). And these home alarms go beyond burglar detection. They also monitor for smoke and fire detection.

Some home alarm monitoring companies feature live, two-way voice security that promises to establish a live audio link between the security company's trained operator and your house. Operators can assess any emergency situation that is occurring and voice threaten an intruder that "authorities are on their way".

Some home security systems are certainly better than others. That's why it's worth the effort to research your security options and to develop a strategy for protecting your home. Start by implementing some simple, low cost measures that can reduce your risk of break-in. It may be a cliché but when you consider your plans to protect your home and family, you should expect the best but prepare for the worst.

The FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting Program defines larceny-theft as; "the unlawful taking, carrying, leading, or riding away of property from the possession or constructive possession of another."

These types of thefts include the stealing of any property or article that is not taken by force and violence - or by fraud. For example, an unattended, unsecured bicycle can be quickly removed from your yard or driveway. Motor vehicle parts, accessories, and contents are also a common target for opportunistic thieves.

Many of these crimes are random in nature and hard to predict. Basic awareness of this problem can save you a lot of grief if you are consistent in taking the right precautions. For example, secure unattended bicycles with a quality bike lock or store them away in closed and locked sheds or garages. Make it a habit to keep your car doors locked - even in your own driveway.

I live in a quiet, middle class neighbourhood and I was shocked to come home one late night and watch a prowler leave our driveway. He was systematically going from driveway to driveway checking for unlocked car doors. We called the police but by the time they arrived, the stalker was gone. Needless to say, it was a very unnerving experience - we were lucky.

Make it a practice to lock your garage door and any sheds that are on your property. Motion detectors that trigger an exterior flood light are also an inexpensive but effective deterrent when they are placed around your home and yard.

In a burglary, time is of the essence to an intruder. Anything that you can do to delay a forced entry into your home is critical to reducing your chances of loss. Making it obvious to a thief that your home is well protected can be enough to ward of their attemtps.

To reduce your chances of being a victim of larceny-theft, be mindful of how accessible your property is. Any items that can be easily snatched from around your house or yard are an invitation to an opportunity seeking thief. Out of site, out of mind is a good rule of thumb.

In my module entitled "What is Larceny-Theft?", I wrote about the brazen form of crime where an opportunistic thief will snatch items of value right from your property. This incredulous intent to steal can also lead to the theft of your identity.

Identity Theft has become one of the fastest growing crimes in the world and there are a number of ways that it can happen. When it comes to your property, identity thieves can get your personal information by:

• Stealing mail from your mailbox


• Raiding your garbage or recycling bin


• Searching the inside of your vehicle


• Removing stored items from unlocked sheds or garages

The fraud begins once a thief gets your personal information from documents such as credit card statements, utility bills, bank statements or tax returns. In fact, just about any other type of record or correspondence that reveals elements of your personal information can be used by identity thieves to build a profile about you.

Personal and confidential information can also be retrieved from lost or stolen wallets, purses and electronic devices such as, personal digital assistants (PDAs), digital audio players, cell phones, laptops, hard drives and CD's, DVD's or flash drives.

Once a Fraudster possesses your information, they will attempt to use your identity to commit various types of impersonation fraud. They may have some of your mail redirected by forging your signature on a "change of address" form. They may simply apply for a new credit card in your name.

The first time that you find out about this "new credit card" is when you get a statement in the mail from the card issuer with a balance owing for several thousand dollars. Now you have to prove to the credit card company that you're not responsible for these purchases. It can be a nightmare.

Basic precautions to take are to cancel and destroy credit cards that you do not use and keep a list of the ones that you do use. Carefully check each of your monthly credit card statements and your bank statements. Immediately report lost or stolen credit cards. You should also report any discrepancy in your monthly statements to the issuing credit card company.

Other measures that you should routinely take to protect yourself are;

• Shred all statements and paperwork before you discard them


• Destroy any computer hard drive or electronic storage device or disk that you discard


• Don't leave personal documents or electronic information devices in your vehicle


• Keep your sheds, garage door and car doors locked

In terms of basic security technology for your house, consider using a quality paper shredder to ensure that your documents are reliably destroyed. Surveillance cameras can also be a good deterrent if a thief is aware that their movements on - or near - your property are being monitored.

You can source some excellent equipment options on the web that feature great quality, affordability and do-it-yourself installation. These solutions are low-cost examples that add to your virtual moat and they can save you against major financial loss and emotional grief.