Teach your children the use of all emergency telephone numbers and place all emergency telephone numbers by all your telephones.

Always double check doors and windows to make sure they are locked.

Be sure your garage door can be secured. Do not leave your garage door open. If you leaving town disconnect manual release rope.

Don't hide a spare key under the doormat or under a flowerpot. Burglars know all the good hiding places.

Whenever you go outside, lock the door and take the key with you, even if you are stepping out for a short period of time.

Do not keep cash or valuable jewelry around the house.

Don't put valuables where they can be seen through your window, especially items that can be easily carried away.

Keep any tools that could be used to break into your home safely locked away in a garage or shed.

If someone comes to your door asking to use the telephone, make the call yourself. NEVER LET THEM INTO YOUR HOME!

Invest in solid doors and good quality locks for your doors, sliding glass doors, and windows. Make it not only difficult but also time consuming for a burglar to gain entry.

Plant thorny bushes under all windows. Trim back any trees or shrubs near doors and windows to eliminate hiding places for would-be burglars.

Engrave all valuables such as stereos, microwaves, video cameras, with your drivers license number. Engraving tools are usually available through your local law enforcement agency.

Videotape the contents of your home. Keep the video and the list of all valuables in a safe place away from your home, such as a bank safety deposit box.

Invest in an affordable alarm system from All-American Alarm.