Unfortunately, in these modern times, keeping your doors lock sometimes isn’t enough when it comes to protecting you and your family from the dangers of the outside world. We would like to think of our homes as private refuges, fortresses where we can get away from it all, kick back and relax; unfortunately, sometimes the outside world does come in and it’s not a pretty picture.

It’s no big secret—crime rates are on the rise, particularly property crimes. Burglars can make an easy buck by breaking into a home and stealing precious valuables. The truth is, a break-in usually takes a matter of minutes and many homeowners inadvertently make it quite easy for burglars to get in.

There are, however, easy ways to make sure that your home is a safer place; and while you cannot guarantee that your place will be absolutely burglar-proof, you can rest assured that by taking a few simple steps to improve your home security, the chance of a burglary will be much less.

Thieves are opportunists, first and foremost. This means that where they see an easy target, they will take it, otherwise, they probably won’t be bothered. They don’t want to be caught—the quickest and easiest targets are what they keep a look out for. This usually occurs when a homeowner is careless and leaves the garage door open or fails to lock the windows, for instance. Simple mistakes like these can have unfortunate consequences.

Most people don’t bother about home security because they think that it can’t happen to them. Only when something happens to someone they know or a neighbor do they start thinking about their own situation. This complacent attitude is really what aids burglars. Most thieves tend to be young males who need some extra cash—they don’t have particularly fantastic work ethics. They see an opportunity and they take it.

In order to prevent break-ins, think about the two things that thieves fear most—being seen and time. They don’t want to spend too much time in one place because that increases the risk of being caught. So, what you need to do is take a walk in the burglar’s shoes. Go and survey the state of your home security. Walk around your home, inside and outside, and see where thieves could potentially take advantage of weak spots. Think about how you would get into your home if you forgot your keys. Have a friend help you out—two heads are better than one in this instance as your pal may spot things you may overlook.

Think about how easy it is to tell when no one is at home. An empty home is a ripe target. It’s a good idea to make you home as lived in as possible. This means installing timers on your lights and a TV or radio. It means keeping your garden and shrubs tidy and trimmed. It means getting in the habit of putting your car in the garage even when you are at home. Pick up your kid’s toys; remember to shut off the sprinkler; close your garage door. Simple measures like this can make all the difference.