In my article "Home Security-Low Cost Alarms That Work" we talked about the effectiveness of low cost alarms to protect your most valuable asset-your home-without sending you to the poor house. There was a Consumers Union study in 2002 that found that barking dogs and alarm systems are the most effective ways to keep intruders out of your home.

In a recent Colorado Springs Gazette article, David Husted crime prevention officer of the Falcon Division of the Colorado Springs Police department was quoted as saying "The sound of a big dog barking is a really good deterrent, too." Asked if he'd spend money on an alarm or a dog "I don't know, I may just go with the dog, if it's got a really good bark."

In the time it takes you to read the next four small paragraphs two more burglaries will occur in the United States. Remember this: property crime occurs every 3 seconds, a home burglary every 15 seconds.

When a burglar goes looking for his next victim he "cases" the neighborhood and individual homes looking for weaknesses. How your home looks to him will send a signal if he feels he can be successful or not. If he sees to many potential problems with your house why would he bother when there are so many others to choose from?

Here are some additional inexpensive ways to help prevent home burglaries and provide the best home security for your most valued possession-your home.

Motion Activated Spotlights. These are easy to install, relatively inexpensive lighting systems activated by motion detectors. One of the things burglars don't like is LIGHT.

Signs For an Alarm Company. Burglars do their homework. When they break into a place it is usually with some degree of planning. If they see a sign in a yard that the property is protected by an alarm system EVEN IF YOU DON'T HAVE ONE they are much less likely to target the home.

Neighborhood Watch Program Signs. Again for the reasons listed above, burglars will think twice about invading a Neighborhood Watch neighborhood. If you don't have a Neighborhood Watch Program set up-start one. Your local police department will be glad to help get one going. Check out www.usaonwatch.org for more specifics.

Dummy Surveillance Cameras. Dummy surveillance cameras have a proven track record in reducing burglaries for a fraction of the cost of their "real" brothers. Most dummy cameras look like the real thing with flashing red LED and warning signs that the property is being monitored by CCTV.

NRA Stickers. Place an NRA sticker so it can be seen from the road in a conspicuous place-high on your living room window, on your mailbox, or on the bumper of a car parked in the driveway. This sends a signal to a potential burglar that an occupant of the home may be armed.

The key here is to "advertise" to potential burglars that your home will not be their next target. By using these low cost home security devices and following these home security tips you will help prevent a burglary at your home. Home security alarm systems are effective but for most people they are too expensive.

If you think crime can only happen to the other guy you are wrong. The "other guy" is thinking the same thing and YOU are that "other guy". There is a reason why they call it self defense. You have to protect yourself, your family, your home and business!!