When evaluating your home's security, start by considering the two P's:Perimeter and Points Of Entry.
That's the way a prowler would view your home.
Perimeter applies to the yard and exterior lights.
Trees and bushes that grow close to your home and left untrimmed offer ready cover to an intruder.
A yard without a fence makes sneaking in and out easier.
A ladder or tools left on the lawn can be used to break in.
If these things make your home look inviting during the day, a potential burglar may come back at night to scope out the lighting.
A house left in the dark all evening, inside or out, isn't going to shed any light on illegal activity and makes a burglar's entry and exit almost undetectable.
Points of entry are, of course, all your doors and windows-even windows above the first floor.
If you leave any windows or doors open most of the time or if they are in obvious poor repair, a burglar can get in and out quickly.
Start by evaluating exterior doors-nearly 90 percent of all illegal entries are right through a door! Another thing to take into account is how you live in your home.
For example, if you have good locks but often don't bother to use them, getting better locks won't increase your security.
Getting in the practice of locking all of your doors and windows, even if you plan to be away for a few hours, will help.
Your family's lifestyle is especially important when evaluating home alarm systems.
These systems have become fairly popular, and the options available can be overwhelming.
If you have a good idea of how your family will use the security system, you're more likely to get just what you need-not too much, not too little.
And these systems work best in homes that have covered the security basics.
The goal is to feel safe and comfortable in and around your home.
Keep that in mind as you evaluate your home and prioritize your list of security home improvement projects.