Surfing the net for great new home security ideas is a great way to get started. Some pieces of advice will be better than others. While the vast majority recommend a home security system, there are lots of other "little touches" that homeowners can easily add to make their property less appealing to intruders. When deciding whether to install motion sensor lights, plant a few prickly shrubs, or add a video surveillance system, factors like available funding and practicality may come into play. A full on video surveillance system may be a bit pricey and over the top for the average homeowner. On the other hand, planting a few rosebushes by the windows is not likely to deter a really determined intruder either. Some of the best advice you will come across on the web is that home security should be more like an "onion than an eggshell."

What exactly does that mean? When securing a home, far too many families take the "eggshell" approach. That is to say, they use one type of security feature that while solid, may easily be shattered given the right amount of strength and determination. While a motion sensitive security alarm may be a great security layer, if someone is able to crack the system- as in find another window or disarm the alarm system entirely- the house is left vulnerable and unprotected once more. Yolk side out. Instead, the idea is to layer security features, the "onion," to make the intruder's task at hand as hard as possible. This will give either you or neighbors lots of time to notice something is up, and hopefully frustrate the intruder to the point that he or she gives up.

A great example of such a feature is to put a motion sensitive light over the front door. A secondary layer is reinforcing the lock and frame of the door so it cannot be easily kicked in, and a finishing layer is a home alarm system. Another example would be planting a rosebush outside of a first floor window, with a secondary layer as a safety reinforced window lock, and a final layer as a smash sensor as part of a home security system. While the initial obstruction may not have been enough cause to send a burglar running scared, by the time all three obstacles have been overcome it is likely someone will have noticed and the criminal's cover will be blown.

Keep in mind that burglars, although sometimes unprepared, are often experienced at forced home entry. With just a few minutes of inspecting a house they will know the weakest points of entry. Take a good look at your own home, and decide where you would break in should you, say, lose your keys. If you can get in, a professional definitely can. Where there are areas of weakness, upgrade your security features to the point where they are no longer appealing points of entry. From using a professional security system to using lighting and landscaping tricks, there is more than one way to stop a thief.