According to a new survey by the Police Executive Research Forum, nearly half of police departments have reported an increase in certain crimes they say can be attributed to the economic crisis -- including home burglaries.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGLFmLQOhmo
nullWith more houses sitting empty due to foreclosures, once safe neighborhoods are becoming more tempting to looters.But there are ways to keep your home safe from even the most dogged burglars without breaking the bank.
"Good Morning America" housing contributor and Wall Street Journal editor Wendy Bounds knows a thing or two about home security and compiled some tips, with the help of Consumer Report's Shop Smart, for burglar-proofing your home on the cheap.
Check out her tips below and then click here for more information on home security.
Before Robbers Decide on Your House: Make It Unappealing to Them"You make it as difficult and frustrating as possible for thieves to break in, so you create multiple layers that a thief must get through in order to gain access to your home," Bounds said. "You want your house to be the least appealing to thieves on the block. And you can do that by dissuading them from even coming up your driveway."
yard landscaping keeping tree branches pruned up to six feet off the ground. Consider thorny shrubs or rose bushes to add an extra deterrent.Close the blinds when you're not home so they can't peruse the items in your house and decide you have something worth stealing.
Make sure you don't give obvious clues that you're not home.
Turn down the telephone ringer, so burglars won't hear you aren't there.
Make the house seem like someone is home with lamps or a radio on a timer.
If They Try to Break In: Consider Tough Glass, Alarm SystemAlarm systems are more expensive than the other tips, but if you live in a particularly vulnerable neighborhood, Bounds said, you may still want to consider one.
"They are one of the best defenses, and you can get a system for about $50 to $100 a month,[/img]
books on landscaping protect your valuables even if the intruders make it inside your house, but you have to prepare for the worst case scenario, too. The burglars want to get in and out as fast as they can, so you need to make it hard for them to find anything worth taking,[/img]landscaping designers house when you're gone. If a criminal knows the police are watching your house, most won't want to take the chance of breaking in.
