You may have noticed that the use of security systems, surveillance cameras, security guards and even 'under-cover' security personnel has increased dramatically in malls and even small mom-and-pop and convenience stores. Since these are stores that have to be profitable to stay in business you pretty much have to figure that the surveillance and security measures are cost effective - that theft losses are reduced substantially simply through discouraging robbery. The first of our home security tips is simple enough though many don't seem to believe it. Doing something to improve security is worth the effort and cost and preventing theft is ultimately the most efficient way to do it.

As it keeps getting tougher to rip off businesses, where does the worried thief turn? A lot of them turn to burglary and are out there checking out your home as one of their potential new income sources. Despite the movies there are not all that many highly skilled professional burglars and most are lazy, semi-skilled and primarily looking for an easy target so they can feed their drug habit without putting in much effort or taking much of a risk.

As a sort of thief's eye approach to home security tips, lets think about what some of the primary features of a good target are. Having some marketable items to steal is one. These days this probably means almost any house, but being able to see into the house can nail down a target if, for example, computers or other electronics can be seen from the outside.

Easy access and, particularly, possible entry points that are concealed from view are attractive features. Tall shrubs or bushes that provide coverage while working on a door or a window make a nice, burglar friendly bonus. An absence of obvious security features such as signs or decals for security companies or the NRA, motion sensor lights or surveillance cameras are also an invitation to burglars. Dogs can be a serious annoyance to a burglar, at least ones in homes they want to rob, so the absence of any indications of a dog can raise a home's 'burglaribility' factor. Interestingly, National Rifle Association membership stickers or signs seem to drop a home's popularity. The only problem here is that if a robber can be certain nobody's waiting inside with a shotgun, then that NRA signage pretty strongly indicate there are rifles and or hand guns inside which are attractive items for thieves.

Most of these items are easy to check without being obvious or doing something overtly suspicious. Observe your home from this viewpoint and see how it rates as a potential target. Some 80% of the homes in the US have no specific protection against burglary except insurance. A few simple steps can reduce your home's apparent vulnerability. Start by eliminating any concealment provided by bushes and trees. especially near entry points. Next, make certain that valuable and easily portable items such as stereos, TVs, etc., are not visible from the outside. Signs and window decals, whether true or not, reduce your home's attractiveness to criminals. Motion sensor lights and a dummy security camera are inexpensive and an added negative.

The home security tips discussed here are primarily ones which will make your home less attractive as a target for burglary. So, while they do offer a level of enhanced home security, you should also consider further steps to make your home more secure and more difficult to break into easily.