According to Statistics Canada, there were 969,630 incidents of break and enter and theft in 2001. Of that number, 21,135 cases involved theft over $5,000. People lose more than possessions in a property crime: they lose peace of mind.

What can you do to keep from becoming a victim? Police officers from across Canada agree that there are several things that you can do to help minimize your risk to burglary.

Excess Shrubbery
Remove excess shrubbery around first floor windows and doorways. Giving better visibility to the street and adjoining neighbours. If you prefer your privacy and the greenery consider using "protective shrubbery". What burglar would risk tangling with a thorny bush to get at a window.

Lighting
Lighting is an excellent way to discourage burglars. Think about installing exterior lighting out of a thief's reach. Motion sensor lights are one of the best options. An unexpected beam of light can startle a burglar who prefers to work in the shadows. These lights also save electricity because much of the time they are turned off. In addition to motion sensor lights at strategic locations around your property, it is wise to keep a few additional lights turn on all night.

Indoor lights set on automatic timers can also be another effective deterrent. You can set timers to turn lights on at dusk and off at dawn. Remember any light is better than no light so work with what you have if you don't wish to go to the extra expense.

Windows
An open or insecure window is an inviting point of entry. Those flimsy twist latches mounted with short screws can be opened with one twist of a burglar's knife. A better approach for sliding doors and windows is to pin two parts of the window together. Close the window and drill holes through the frames where they overlap, one on each side. Then slide long nails in each hole, securing the window shut. To open it, just pull the nails partway out.

If you have crank-out casement windows, experts say are usually adequate. As an added precaution, simply remove the crank handle. Jalousie, or louvered, windows, made from slatted panes are the least secure and should be replaced or barred. Windows can be made less accessible by moving common items that can be used to climb in - ladders, trashcans and sheds under first floor windows. Also remember to add security bars to fortify any basement windows you may have.

If you choose to implement any of the preceding security measures such as bars, nails or removing crank handles, be sure that every member of your family knows how to open the window. Police recommend security bars that open with a key from the inside. Keep the crank handle near the window at all times. In case of a fire, you must be able to thwart your security measures in a matter of seconds in order to escape to safety

Doors
In many homes, the most serious home security weakness is doors. A thief's job is made simpler by poor locks, breakable doors or both. Doors containing a small window or windows are the most exposed. Thieves only need to break the glass, reach inside and unlock the door.

Experts recommend installing a double-cylinder lock that takes keys on both sides. Keep the indoor key out of sight and out of reach of potential thieves but be sure all family members know where it is so they can get out in case of fire. Some local fire codes ban double-cylinder locks check before installing one. For even greater security, consider the new safety glass designed for windowed doors. For sliding doors experts recommend securing the stationary side with manufacturer's pins these are often overlooked by installers. Then insert a folding "Charlie bar" or a dowel onto the track. Some break-ins occur when a thief removes a sliding door, try and fit your pinkie between the top of the door and the upper track. That big a gap means a burglar could lift the door up and pull it out. The solution: Open the door and set two extra screws in the top track so that the heads protrude enough to fill the gap. Even a solid wood or steel door needs a good dead-bolt lock; experts say burglars can get through spring-loaded, push button locks with a credit card in about three seconds. Your safety also depends on how securely the door is seated in its frame. The key to that is a steel reinforced strike plate - the metal on the side of your doorframe that holds the bolt in place. You can buy a beefed up security-grade strike plate, but as long as the bolt enters the house frame by at least 3 1/2 centimetres, you may not need one. Instead, remove all the screws in your existing strike plate and replace them with seven centimetre screws that will penetrate the two by four house frame alongside the jamb. This will keep the lock in place and help prevent the whole doorframe from being torn away.

Garage Doors
Always keep garage doors locked. The garage door can be the home's most vulnerable entry point. Have you recoded your automatic garage-door openers since they were installed? Most homeowners have never heard of recoding. The remote signal that opens older garage doors is based on a generic factory setting. It will open any door with the same code. Thieves with stolen remotes or remotes that they have purchased at a home supply store cruise neighbourhoods, randomly clicking on houses until a garage door opens. If you're going away for an extended period of time consider unplugging the motor that opens the garage door and put a padlock on the track.

Security Systems
A security system should not be the only precaution you take to protect your home. It takes burglars an average of 60 seconds to break into a home and less than 10 minutes to rob it. But suburban police officers often average 15 minutes to respond to an alarm, and city response time may be much higher. Many automated calls are false alarms and police who can spend up to 50 per cent of their time dealing with life threatening situations often must consider alarms a lower priority. Still, many experts maintain that alarm systems may be deterrents if they are properly maintained and used in conjunction with all the basics. Before deciding on one, interview at least three companies, then request an on site survey from your local police department's crime-prevention unit.

Make sure to encase all outside electrical wiring for your security system and phone lines in a pipe at least three metres high on the wall. Also be careful when power companies inform neighbourhoods of power outages during regular maintenance. Should thieves become aware of this they could potentially seize the opportunity to burglarize alarmed homes in the neighbourhood while the power is off.

Neighbourhood Watch Groups
One thing that is common in every neighbourhood is empty streets most of the day. But there's usually someone home in the neighbourhood. Keep an eye on your neighbours' property, ask them to do the same for you, and call the police if you hear breaking glass, see someone lurking about or notice anything suspicious. You might also consider joining a community crime-watch group. Criminals know which neighbourhoods have watch groups and they avoid them like the plague. The local police department can help you set up a program.

A Special Note About Crime Against Seniors
Robbery is not the only crime against seniors. Home invasion is a relatively new phenomenon that is becoming increasingly common. Vancouver police spokeswoman Constable Anne Drennan was quoted in the Alberta Report Newsmagazine as saying "A robber avoids confrontation, while these suspects (perpetrators of home invasions) are looking for confrontation." Such criminals often purposely target the home and choose to enter when they know the residents are home. According to the latest statistics from the Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics, the national rate of violence against those aged 60 year and older increased 48% between 1996 and 1997.

It is especially important for seniors living in private residences to take some of the precautions outlined in this article.

Some simple precautions include:

• Be sure that your mailbox is big enough to hide your day's mail.

• Use an answering machine so your phone doesn't ring unanswered - but never leave a message saying you're not in. Say, "I'm not available right now."

• If can give it proper care, get a dog. Or put a big, scuffed-up dog dish on your front porch.

• Put up a security system sign visible from the road. It's a proven deterrent.

• When you buy a new television,VCR or computer don't leave the empty carton on the front lawn for trash pickup - thieves will notice. Cut up the carton and dispose of it.

• Inscribe identifying marks or numbers such as your driver's licence number on the back of your possessions e.g. camera, DVD player. Contact your local police station to find out if they have an engraving tool available for use by the public.

If you're going away over the holidays remember:

• Use at least two interior timers - for lights in two different rooms - programmed to give the illusion of someone at home.

• Hire someone to shovel the walk if you are going away. Untouched snow on your walkway is a clear signal no one is home.

• Leave a news or talk radio station playing on a kitchen radio.

• Add a glass of water or a cup of coffee on the kitchen table.

Remember that, in general, thieves will choose the path of least resistance. The more difficult you make it for thief to enter quickly and unseen, the less likely you are to become a crime statistic.