| Understanding how a burglar selects a
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| | iron railing (topped with spikes, to
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| target can help homeowners reduce their
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| | discourage climbers), picket or
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| chances of being a victim. Most
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| | chain-link fence instead. If you have a
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| burglaries occur at homes that appear to
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| | gate, install a strong magnetic lock on
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| have quick, easy access and/or lots of
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| | it to prevent intruders from easily
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| cover that reduces the chance of being
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| | penetrating the perimeter of your
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| seen. Think of landscaping and exterior
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| | property.
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| security devices as your first line of
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| | - Put big, bold numbers on your mailbox
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| defense. Following are tips to safeguard
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| | so your home can easily be identified in
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| your yard.
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| | case of an emergency.
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| Lighting
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| | - Never put your name on your mailbox.
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| - Use automatic timers on inside and
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| | Anyone can call directory assistance, get
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| outside lights when away from home.
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| | your number, and find out you aren't
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| - Install motion detector lights around
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| | home.
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| your house instead of just leaving lights
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| | - Don't hide a spare key near your front
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| on at night. The lights coming on and
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| | door; burglars know all the hiding
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| turning off attract the attention of
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| | places. Leave a spare key with a trusted
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| neighbors. Install these lights at least
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| | neighbor instead.
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| 8 feet above the ground so they are more
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| | - Tell burglars to steer clear of your
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| difficult to disable.
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| | home by placing alarm company signs,
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| - Install the motion detector lights so
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| | neighborhood watch decals or dog notices
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| they light all doors and windows. Doors,
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| | on your property.
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| since they are the preferred entry point,
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| | - Consider installing an intercom system
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| should be the first priority to
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| | featuring motion-sensor video that turns
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| illuminate, followed by windows.
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| | on when someone approaches your house. If
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| Yard and Landscaping
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| | you live on your own, consider
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| - Remove bushes and shrubs from around
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| | implementing a camera bell so you can see
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| the house, especially under windows and
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| | who is approaching.
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| next to doors. They provide a good place
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| | - If you have video surveillance cameras,
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| to hide next to the house. Also, keep
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| | get a lockbox to store the central
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| your yard free of overgrowth. This will
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| | recording device so a thief can't make
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| allow your neighbors to easily detect
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| | off with the record of their crime.
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| strangers in your yard.
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| | - Baby video monitors can double as
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| - If you do have shrubs and bushes,
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| | surveillance monitors for other points on
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| select ones with thorns to deter
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| | your property.
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| potential intruders from hiding in them.
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| | - If you travel a lot, surveillance
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| - Remove tree limbs that could allow
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| | cameras (with viewing access through the
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| someone to climb to an upper-story window
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| | Internet) will allow you to keep an eye
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| or balcony.
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| | on your home while you're gone.
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| - Think carefully before installing a
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| | - Lock up the garage or tool shed. Don't
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| high, wooden fence around your back yard.
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| | let a burglar break-in by borrowing your
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| High fences can add to your privacy but
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| | ladder to enter through your upstairs
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| privacy is a burglar's asset. Consider an
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| | window.
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