Protect your own home treasures from pirates

It was a great victory for the US Military yesterday in the rescue of the brave Captain Richard Phillips from Somolian pirates of the high seas. Back here at home where things may not be quite something that seems right out of a novel, you still have your own treasures and kin to guard against theft and attack. Reinforcing your home with anti-theft protection can also add to its value.

According to the AARP, having the right locks and locking your doors and windows is one of the easiest ways to prevent against theft. They say to look for a single-cylinder dead bolt door lock backed by a reinforcing strike plate with three-inch screws. "The dead bolt should be at least one inch thick and extend at least one inch into the door frame when locked." I personally have in my house and recommend using a Schlage lock. These locks are made to make it very difficult for any thief to pick.

It's also a good idea to keep entry ways, pathways, stairwells, yards and parking areas well lit. Thieves are opportunists looking for easy targets. Make it hard for them to go undetected.

Avoid the cliche rock hide-a-key. Thieves know to look for these. Also avoid hiding the key under the mat. If you think you might forget your keys leave a spare with a trusted neighbor instead. Again, don't make it easy for these dirt bags to get inside your home where your nice things and loved ones live.

Another good way to keep burglars at bay is to install a security system in the home like ADT. This will alert the nearest police if there is a break in and the person doesn't know your secret code. Police also say these are some effective measures to take to thwart off a break in:

* Use solid core or metal clad entrance doors with solid door frames firmly attached to your home. Many intruders enter residences by physically destroying lightweight hollow core doors and flimsy door frames.

* Be sure entrance doors have wide-angle peepholes or view grills so you can see visitors without opening the door. Ask anyone who comes to your door for identification before allowing them inside.

* Join a Neighborhood Watch group. Most police departments have officers who will help you start a program.

* Keep valuable papers and records like stocks and bonds, duplicate copies of your will, valuable stamp and coin collections, and jewelry you don't frequently wear, in your safe deposit box.

* Give parking lot attendants and mechanics your ignition key only, not your house key. Don't carry an identification tag on your key ring either. This could help a would-be thief easily identify your home and vehicle.

* Consider installing an alarm system for an extra level of protection. You have a variety of choices, from do-it-yourself kits that trigger a siren or lights, to professionally installed systems connected to a police station or monitoring service.

* Invest in a heavy-duty gun safe if you have firearms in your home. This will keep guns out of criminals' hands, and keep them away from children, friends and relatives who don't know how to handle them safely.

All these measures will keep you and your family safe, add to the value of your home investment and give you a little more peace of mind.