Safety Tips: Don't be a target; prepare your home to resist a burglary attempt before it happens. Most criminals will give up if they can't enter your house in under 5 minutes. Follow these tips and make your home secure. Keep entrances well lit. Trim bushes away from windows and doors to increase visibility. Don't leave tools outside (Ladders, shovels, etc.) Make sure you have a proper civic number displayed. Put braces in sliding windows to help keep them from being forced open. Replace any hollow exterior doors with solid wood or metal. Install high quality locks and deadbolts. Make sure door hinges are on the inside. Use metal bars on vulnerable windows. Be careful not to block a fire escape route. Always lock your doors. Don't keep keys or other valuables in your entryways. Never open your door to strangers, ask for ID. Install peepholes in doors with no windows. Don't put your name or address on your key ring. Don't leave a key hidden outside; leave one with some one you trust. Have some one pick up your mail, mow your lawn, take out garbage, or shovel snow while you are away. Don't leave valuables in sight through windows. Make an inventory of your valuables and then store somewhere other than your home, such as a safe deposit box. Install outside security to know when some one is too close to your house. Install a driveway chime to let you know when some one has arrived. The security system decals and signs that announce your protection are an additional deterrent.