Home protection. How to be safe at home

Always knows that as a woman you've got a lot on your mind. Whether you're single, widowed, divorced or living with a partner whose job often keeps him or her away from home, you are eventually bound to spend time at home alone. Always knows a lot about protection, so we've compiled some advice to keep you protected while you're home alone.

The truth is that most home invaders aren't interested in you; they're interested in your stuff. Something simple like keeping an interior light on can let a would-be felon know that someone's home, a signal that says to him that running off with your valuables a little more difficult. It's also a good idea to leave on a light even when you're not home in order to reduce the risk of coming home at night to an intruder. Entering your home when it's lit will also offer some extra security and peace of mind.

Exterior lighting is also critical to your safety at night. Being aware of your surroundings while entering and exiting your car can make the difference between getting in your door safely and becoming the victim of violence. Seeing potential danger in advance makes it easier to avoid. As a rule of thumb, your exterior lighting should be bright enough that you can see 100 feet away and recognize colors. Most criminals don't hang out under bright lights because it increases the chances of them being identified.

If you are home in the day, it is important to remember that the majority of home burglaries occur during the daytime when most people are at work. The summer months are known for being prime time for burglars because most of these types of criminals are young men under 25 who wind up looking for something to do (like steal your small valuables they can pawn for quick cash). Most burglars (about 70%) use some type of force to enter a home, but any home invader is always looking for quick, easy access. The trick is to make your home a difficult target because the harder it is for them to intrude upon, the more likely they'll give up.

Have a thorough read of the following list and see if there are any of these precautions you can take around your home. You can even print out the list, take it to your local hardware store and present it to an associate who can help you choose what you need for your home.

Your home should have..

• a heavy-duty, deadbolt lock with a one-inch throw bolt
• a heavy-duty, knob-in-lock set with a dead-latch mechanism
• a heavy-duty, four-screw, strike plate with 3-inch screws to penetrate into a wooden door frame
• a wide-angle 160 peephole mounted no higher than 58 inches
• a secondary blocking device on all sliding glass doors
• sliding door rollers in good condition
• sliding door anti-lift devices such as through-the-door pins or upper track screws
• visible alarm decals
• secured windows with secondary blocking devices ¹