You probably don't like to think about crime, but no matter where you live, your income or your lifestyle, crime is a fact of life. That doesn't mean you have to be defenseless.

Put the following home security tips and home safety into action to help deter crime and help keep your family and home safe and secure.

Home Security Tips:

Lighten up

Leave your outside lights on at night. If your neighborhood is dimly lit, ask your municipal authorities to add streetlights or replace existing bulbs with higher watt bulbs. Leave one or two lamps on inside your house when you're not at home.

Lock up

Home safety equipment, such as reliable dead-bolt door locks and sturdy window latches, helps prevent break-ins.

Trim the hedges

Tall hedges provide hiding places for potential burglars. Keep yours trimmed so that they're no higher than your windowsills.

Install peepholes

Home safety equipment and products like peepholes with magnifying lenses let you see who's at your door – without opening it.

No notes

Never leave notes on your door, even when you're at home.

Make your mark

Permanently mark your valuables to make it easier for the police to return them to you if they are stolen. Social Security numbers and driver's license numbers with a state abbreviation work best. Keep a record of marked objects.

Make noise

Tune the stereo or TV to your favorite station when you leave the house. To a burglar, it means that someone's home.

Don't provide access

Close and lock garage doors to protect valuables stored there and to prevent access to your house.

Park in the driveway

Park an additional car in your driveway or ask a neighbor to park there. It gives the appearance that someone's always home and prevents burglars from backing a van into the drive for easy loading.

Be careful with spare keys

If you leave a spare key outside, be creative. Burglars routinely check under flowerpots and welcome mats and on window ledges.

Have your home watched while you're away

Ask a neighbor to collect newspapers and mail when you're away. If you'll be gone for an extended period, hire someone to take care of your lawn or even to housesit.

Get involved

In addition to following these home safety tips and solutions, team up with your neighbors and form a Neighborhood Watch program. We can help you get started.