The other night as I was driving through a neighborhood and noticed the flat screen TV’s hanging on the wall’s visible through the window for everybody see. Now how is that for an invitation to a burglar?

Nights are getting warmer and not only are the neighbors out and about walking their dogs, you also have individuals combing the neighborhoods for easy targets. When you already advertising your 50” flat screen TV you might be on their short list.

Keep in mind that burglars are no longer just breaking into homes at night. Some of them are getting more brazen and break in during the day and even when you might be home.

When you are home, keep you front door locked. Don’t have it wide open and just depend on the locked screen door to keep you safe. If you are in the backyard working in your garden you might not hear anyone knocking at the front door and some people might try to open the door to see if it is locked.

When someone knocks, look through your peep hole to see who is at the door. Don’t just pull the door open, even when you are expecting a visitor. When you can, have a camera installed that overlooks the front door so that you can see who is at the door without having to stand behind the door.

Don’t have your TV visible through the window. When this is the only wall you could have your TV on consider blinds or shades that are not light filtering but at the same time keeping everybody from seeing what is inside.

To make it harder for someone to break into a window, consider planting thorny shrubbery around the house. Burglars look for easy ways in and out and they are really not in it to get hurt or stung by a bush. Do not have an easy accessible ladder hanging or standing outside of the house. It is not only easy and accessible for you but also for burglars. Look it up!

Same goes for your lawn mower, snow blowers, and bicycles. Store them out of site.

Also consider items inside your car whether you park your car at home in the drive, at work, or at the mall. Don’t leave anything of any value visible inside the passenger compartment of the car. When you cannot take it with you lock it in the trunk.

Consider installing a monitored security system for your home and USE IT at all times. Even when you are home.