Every year, there are more than two million burglaries, costing victims an estimated $4 billion in lost property.*  Determined thieves can break into just about any home, but you can take steps to make entry a lot more difficult for them.

Invest in a quality door. Door security begins not with a good lock but with the door itself and the frame it fits into. Weak door assemblies can be broken with a single kick, popped open with a jimmy bar or even pried out -- frame and all -- from the wall. Strong exterior doors have solid, not hollow, cores; doors that are sheathed in metal are even better.

Install deadbolts. Deadbolt locks provide the best protection for the least amount of money. Ordinary spring-operated locks can be defeated with a credit card. Intruders can't slip a deadbolt lock because it has a solid metal bar that fits into the door jamb. To be effective, a deadbolt lock should have at least a one-inch throw (meaning the metal bolt extends at least an inch past the edge of the door). Doors with glass panes present a special security problem because a thief can break the pane, reach inside and unlock the door. If state or local laws permit, the solution is a double-cylinder lock -- one that must be opened with a key from inside as well as out. But don't defeat the purpose by getting into the habit of leaving the key in the lock on the inside. To exit quickly in case of a fire, keep the key near the door but in a spot that can't be reached from outside. You might want to hang it on a nail near the floor where you can find it easily if fire breaks out.

Don't forget windows. Windows and sliding glass doors also should be secured. Look for locks specifically made for different window styles at your local hardware store or home center. You also can secure a sliding glass door with a broomstick or piece of 1" x 2" lumber laid in the door track when the door is closed.

Light up. Outside flood lighting reduces your risk of burglary by highlighting the exterior of your home at night. You can choose from lights that remain on all night or motion-sensitive lights that come on only when someone approaches your home. Motion-sensitive lights save energy and could catch a would-be thief by surprise. Timers on inside as well as outside lights give the impression that someone is home, even if you're on vacation, out to dinner or visiting the neighbors.

Sounding an Alarm
For greater peace of mind, consider investing in a professionally installed alarm system. Alarm systems come in many shapes and sizes, at prices that range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. Many installers also charge monthly monitoring fees, which should be taken into account when you shop for a system. A home alarm system includes some combination of the following components:

• Perimeter sensors. These consist of photo cells or magnetic contacts on doors and windows that sound an alarm when an intruder tries to get inside. Perimeter sensors are mounted on two points, such as the door jamb and the door itself. Photo cell sensors are activated when something passes through a beam of light projected between the two points, while magnetic sensors are activated when contact is broken between the two magnetized points.
• Heat and motion sensors. You can use heat and motion detectors to protect specific spaces in or outside your home -- a bedroom hallway, for instance, or your backyard. Heat detectors respond to body temperatures. Motion sensors detect movement.
• Glass break detectors. These devices recognize the sound of breaking glass. They activate the alarm when they sense breaking glass in a window or door.
• Keypad. One or more keypads allow you to turn the system on and off.
• Audible alarm. A piercing alarm alerts neighbors and the police. And it lets the burglar know he's been detected, meaning he'll probably leave your house in a hurry.

Keep in mind that false alarms can be a problem. In addition to annoying the neighbors and taking the police away from real emergencies, some communities now assess fines for excessive false alarms. The National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association reports that nearly 80 percent of false alarms are caused by user error. Steps to prevent false alarms include regular system maintenance and ensuring that whoever has a key to your house also knows the codes to activate and deactivate your system.

Local police are a good source of information and recommendations regarding security systems. They work with the security services in your area and can tell you what types of break-ins are most common in your community. Or contact the National Burglar and Fire Alarm Association for names of members by visiting www.alarm.org.

After you've determined which alarm system is best for you, ask your insurance agent, family or friends for referrals. Get written quotes from at least three companies. Before you obtain an alarm system, investigate a security service's reputation and how long it has been in business. Also ask about warranties and what they cover.

Crime-Stoppers' Checklist
Use this quiz to evaluate the security at your house:

• Do you have a dog? Barking dogs attract the kind of attention a burglar doesn't need.
• Do you leave a radio or television set on when you're out? The sound of voices will send an intruder elsewhere.
• Do you refuse to open doors to strangers? Always ask for identification or check the driveway for a repair or delivery truck. If in doubt, call the utility or business in question to ask if they have sent someone to your home.
• Do you have peepholes in all solid doors? Don't rely on chain locks to see who is at the door. They can easily be forced once a door is ajar.
• Do you keep your garage door locked? Thieves like attached garages because, once inside, they can unobtrusively force the door to the house.
• Are your basement windows secure? These are another popular point of entry for intruders.
• Do you keep trees and shrubbery trimmed? Overgrown vegetation gives a burglar more privacy.
• Do you have neighbors collect your mail and newspapers while you're away? You can also ask the post office and paper carrier to hold deliveries until you return.
• Have you familiarized baby sitters and other outsiders with your safety measures? Show them escape routes and familiarize them with any locks and alarm systems. (See list of emergency numbers to keep by the phone.)
• Does your neighborhood have a watch program? If not, check with your local police for information about starting one.