Lock your vehicle. A large percentage of automobile break-ins involve unsecured vehicles.
Never leave valuables inside of the vehicle, where they can be seen in plain view.
Trim back any shrubbery that hides the doors or windows of your house.
Illuminate your yards and entranceways. Consider using motion-detection lighting.
Never open your door to anyone that you do not know.
Keep your doors locked whether you are at home or away.
Keep your garage door closed and locked, even when at home or in the backyard.
Half of all home burglaries occur during the day. Be alert to any suspicious persons or vehicles in the area. If anything seems out of place, notify the police to check it out.
Be observant of repair men, construction workers, or service workers, who might be thieves. If their behavior or location seems out of the ordinary, notify the police.
Consider investing in an alarm system. Receive at least three different estimates.
Get to know your immediate neighbors. Be familiar with what type of vehicles they drive, whether they have out of town guests, or if they will be having hired services performed at their homes. This can be one of the best ways to deter crime.