Home burglaries have gone down in recent decades thanks to heavier locks and electronic security systems, but this doesn’t mean that the problem has gone away. In fact, according to FBI crime reports, the U.S. saw 1.5 million home break-ins in 2006 alone, costing billions in damages and lost goods. But if you want to keep burglars from breaking into your home, you don’t necessarily have to drop a fortune. Just follow these simple tips for preventing home break-ins.


1. Make your home look occupied: Most burglaries occur during the day when no one is home, and many others take place when homeowners are out of town or on vacation. You can prevent burglars from breaking in simply by leaving a few lights on (but use fluorescent bulbs to save money) and even keeping a radio or television on.

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