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If you are like most homeowners, your house is the single most expensive asset you own. Other than your family, there are very few, if any, other belongings that you would go to extreme lengths to protect. Fortunately, there are some easy and practical ways to make your house more secure. Of course, installing a home security system is the number one suggestion of security experts for protecting your property, but performing these other actions won’t hurt.

• Trim all bushes and trees so that you can see the entire perimeter of your house without obstruction. Criminals like hiding places and will choose a house that has many over a house that has few.

• Choose solid doors and windows and equip them all with strong locks. Engage the locks at all times, unless you are entering or exiting your home.

• Install motion activated security lighting outside of your house. If someone gets too close to your property, the lights will come on. Not only does this act as a deterrent, but it also alerts you and your neighbors that someone is in the vicinity. Read the rest of this entry »

It has long been known that people are safer in groups than they are alone. This is the primary principle behind neighborhood watch programs, which have been in existence since 1972. The program was developed as a way to help both citizens and police officers prevent and deter crime. When people band together with a common goal, they are more powerful and can get more accomplished than any one person can do alone. This is just one of the many reasons why neighborhood watch groups are effective. Here are several more.

1. Neighborhood watch groups deter crime. The program provides signs that are placed strategically throughout the neighborhood so that would-be criminals are aware that their moves are being watched. Most criminals would rather take their chances in a neighborhood that is not as well organized.

2. The groups make your house safer. In addition to keeping the neighborhood safe, these groups also increase the security level of each individual house. This all leads back to the fact that criminals don’t want to call attention to themselves by attempting to break in to a house that belongs to a neighborhood watch program. All houses in such a neighborhood are automatically safer.

3. Neighborhood watch groups provide assistance to local police departments. Because the neighbors are keeping an eye on each other, the police department does not have to provide as much surveillance. In addition, the police will be called for fewer home security system false alarms, increasing the chances that they will respond more quickly to actual emergencies.

4. Neighborhood watch groups bring neighbors closer together. These groups help foster positive relationships between neighbors. When you care about the people living next to you, the odds improve that you will do everything you can to protect them in addition to yourself. They will probably feel the same way about you.

Everyone except the criminal benefits from neighborhood watch programs. Even if you have a home security system and think you are fully protected, it never hurts to have additional pairs of eyes keeping watch over your house and family when you are unable to. Knowing that you can rely on your neighbors to report suspicious behavior means that you can have more peace of mind when you are away from home. Just remember that as a good neighbor, you are expected to return the favor for your neighbors. After all, that’s what makes a neighborhood watch program so effective.

John is a shrewd consumer who writes about personal finance, home technology and home security topics like: home alarm systems and home security alarm.