Home Security

 Operation I.D.: Many police departments engrave your valuables with your social security number and enter their description in a complex data bank. Such goods are difficult to dispose of if stolen. *New Information: Use your driver's license, not your social security number. With your driver's license ID, police can find you in minutes.

 Keep a list of identifying serial numbers, descriptions, and photographs of all possessions likely to be stolen.

 Find unusual places to store precious items. The longer it takes for a burglar to find an item the least likely it is to be stolen.

 Do not supply information to telephone canvassers. In fact, as few people as possible.

 Make the window rooms the barest rooms. If someone looks in they will see little worth stealing and go on to another house.

 Try to avoid observable patterns. Do not always leave at the same time and return at the same time. Turn lights on at night, even if asleep. To avoid excessive utility costs invest in a timer that turns lights off and on at random times during a 24-hour-cycle. Leave the television on. Never make your home look easy.

 Check into security devices, especially a phone dialer connected to private security patrol, police, etc. Display alarm decals.

 Two effective deterrents: The dog and bright lights.

 House keys: Do not keep them on the same key chain as your car keys. If they steal the car they've got the house.

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