Have you recently been forced to move into a neighborhood that you feel is less than ideal? Are you now worried about burglars breaking into your home to steal your stuff? Whether you've just moved into a new neighborhood or you feel that your current neighborhood is becoming unsafe, you'll want to take steps to ensure that you, your family, and your belongings are safe. If moving to a new home isn't currently an option, here are some things you might want to consider:

Install sturdier locks: Some locks are more secure and more difficult to open than other locks. If you or your landlord purchased whatever lock was the most inexpensive for your doors, it's probably time for a change. Talk to a local locksmith about the type and brand of lock that he or she would recommend for your situation. You can then either purchase the lock or locks from him or her and have the locksmith install them or you can purchase what you need from the local hardware store for your locksmith to install. 

Add a deadbolt: Many people rely on just an ordinary doorknob for most of their doors. You may have a deadbolt on your front door, but do you have one on your back or side doors? Deadbolt installation can be a good way to keep people from entering your home. Unlike ordinary doorknobs, a deadbolt doesn't automatically latch shut when you close the door. While this can be considered a disadvantage by some people, this also makes it much harder to open than a doorknob would be. For proper deadbolt installation, it's best to have a locksmith complete the job for you. They'll be able to place the deadbolt properly to help prevent entry by kicking or other violent means. If you're very concerned, part of your deadbolt installation can include the locksmith adding a metal plate or plates to help reinforce both the door and the door jam. 

Security camera: Locks work great at keeping most thieves out, but not all thieves may be deterred by a new doorknob or deadbolt installation. If a burglar does manage to gain entry into your home somehow, a well-placed security camera may be your best chance of getting your belongings back. If you live in a house, a security camera facing the street may be able to make a record of the type of vehicle that the burglars were driving. It may also be able to capture their facial features and build, increasing the odds of a positive ID. If you live in an apartment, you may want to have a hidden camera on the inside, facing your front door. While it won't be able to capture vehicle information, it could still help police get a good physical description of the suspects in question. It may also show valuable evidence like whether the burglar used a key or forced his or her way in, potentially helping to narrow down the list of suspects.

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