Do you watch out for your neighbor? Do you know if that strange vehicle parked in their driveway is a friend or relative or is someone making off with their prized collection of McDonalds glassware?

As the weather becomes nicer, we find ourselves opening doors and windows to welcome in the fresh air. After all, the house has been sealed up tight all winter. Did you remember to close that window? How about ensuring that it was locked?

Preventative measures as simple as locking your windows can be the difference between you finding yourself having to replace many of your beloved possessions or sitting in your comfy living room chair deciding what to watch on your 50” LCD.

Take into consideration that your television can be easily replaced, but what about your wife, son or daughter? There have been many documented cases where a “simple” break-in escalated into violence. Why invite crime into your home when it’s as simple as double-checking locks on doors and windows?

Home security can be as sophisticated as you want it to be. With motion detectors, alarms, and security companies that will monitor your home for a monthly fee, there are plenty of routes in which to choose. You can hire a pro to come into your home to evaluate your security needs or do some research and you could install your own system.

Inspecting the outside of your home can be time well spent. Do you have shrubs in front of windows that provide shelter to thieves laying in wait? How is your lighting? Do you have a motion detector lighting set up? Not only are they economical, they are effective.

On the inside of your home, do you have high rated deadbolt locks? What about lights on timers for when you’re not home? Do your windows have secure locks that are not easily opened from the outside? Care needs to be exercised when looking for locks for vinyl windows. Some of the aftermarket locks can easily damage the vinyl tracks.

Having a secure safe for firearms can prevent your guns from ending up in the wrong hands. It would be awful to have your stolen guns used in a crime against another law-abiding citizen.

Recording your valuables with a digital camera is an easy way to document your inventory. Back up your important files on your computer regularly and keep the back up in a secure location.

Home security doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does require you putting some time into it.