Dead Bolts: Since most burglaries occur through a door, a good deadbolt lock can frustrate a burglar. There are two major points to be made here:

1. Deadbolts are made out of metal. The weak point of the deadbolt is where the bolt protrudes into the doorframe. Generally the frame is wood. If this is the case, the average Joe can kick his way through the wood frame and defeat the bolt. You should install one solid piece of metal which starts one foot above the lock and continues one foot below. This will make it very difficult for the burglar to get through.

2. Inside the house, either a thumb lock or key can open the deadbolt. If using a key, you must leave the key in the lock at night when people are home. In the event of a fire, it's important to be able to get out of that door. When smoke is present in a home, it's almost impossible to see your hand in front of you! If the key can not be found, your chances of getting out are slim. As the fire burns it consumes the oxygen in your home. This can easily cause the occupants to become disoriented in very familiar surroundings. Finding a key becomes a difficult task!

Flood Lights: Flood lights are an excellent deterrent. Imagine you're the burglar and you're approaching the house, when all of a sudden, the motion sensor of the floodlight detects you and the light kicks on! Enough said! Go to any local hardware store and buy a motion-sensing floodlight. They work!

Interior Lights: It's a proven fact that a house that looks lived in is less likely to be burglarized. By leaving interior lights, stereo, or a television on, you give your home the advantage of looking lived in.

Fire Escape Plan: As a security professional, it distresses me to see how laid back people are when it comes to fire. It saddens me to see death and destruction, where death and destruction could have been avoided.

Another very important aspect of fire safety is having a fire escape plan with your family. This plan should be designed to show everyone how to stay low, feel the doors for heat before opening them, know two ways out, and to meet in a designated area. Deaths have occurred because someone went back into the structure looking for someone who was already out! Practicing your fire escape plan can, and will save lives!