Check out these 6 things you can do to make your home safer for years to come.

1. Install smart lighting. Outdoor motion detectors, flood lights and security lighting near possible points of entry, like windows and doors, can be a practical deterrent for unwanted visitors.
2. Minimise access to your keys, more than one lock on a door can make it more difficult for intruders to get in. Whether you have a lock set, deadbolt or security chain, it’s even more important to be mindful of who has access to your keys and home.
3. Know your neighbors, it is a cheap form of home security. Well-acquainted neighbors are more likely to call you or the police when they see something fishy.
4. Almost two-thirds of burglaries involve forced entry, which is partly due to weak door locks and mounting hardware, according to Consumer Reports. To bolster locks, replace the strike, a metal plate mounted on the door jamb that the lock bolt slides into. For about $10, you can significantly strengthen the flimsiest of locks. Another way to improve your door’s kick-in resistance is to replace short mounting screws with 3-inch ones that reach the door’s studs.
5. Windows pose a unique security challenge. All an intruder has to do is break a window, reach inside, and unlock it to gain access. There are some easy things you can do to fortify your windows, starting with the glass itself. Regular glass is really easy to break. Laminated windows are ideal, or a special kind of glass that’s similar to car windshields. Installing a second layer of glass helps, as well as ensuring that panes are securely attached to the window frame.
6. If you want added external security you could always install an Alarm System. On average, you’ll pay between $100 and $1,200 for a burglar alarm, plus a monthly monitoring fee of about $35. There are many good options. Look for a system with a separate control panel and keypad Those that have both of these in the same unit can be easier for an intruder to defeat before the alarm notifies a monitoring center.