The vast majority of homeowners are guilty of complacency when it comes to home security. We assume the locks on our doors and windows are enough -- at least they are until the neighbor down the street is robbed, the car next door is stolen or the door on our outdoor shed is jimmied. Incidents like those jar us into the reality that maybe it's time to step up the level of security in and around our homes. Short of installing a high-tech, laser-beam system connected directly to your local police department, what measures can you take on your own that won't cost you every dime you have saved?

The first step, although obvious, is one most of us have never taken. Do an inventory of the security risks around your home. Take, for example, the distance of your home from the street. Is it set back behind a thick wall of trees? Sure, privacy is great, but should anything happen to your home while you're away, your neighbors aren't likely to know about it unless one of them has a key.

Even if your home is surrounded by high walls or shrubs, buy yourself some outdoor lights connected to timers and/or motion sensors. A home that remains dark night after night sends the clear message that nobody's home.

Do you have any trellises affixed to exterior walls, trees located near windows, or an air conditioning unit that would give a prowler easy access to first- and second-story windows? All of these things create stepping stones for potential burglars, who simply climb them, break a window, and enter your home in no time.

Check the locks on your windows and doors. Are they bona fide security locks or just latches? Skilled intruders know that latches are easily broken. Pay particularly close attention to sliding glass doors; they're an easy target. Make sure the locks on such doors are secure (they often don't work), and for extra protection, stick a dowel (wooden rod) into the track behind the door.

Take a look at your garage door. Does it have windows? If so, get them frosted to prevent a burglar from doing his own inventory of your belongings. And do you have various tools scattered around the outside of the garage that a burglar could use to break a window on the garage door? Also make sure the door is secure and that it can't be shoved open.

If you have a basement with exterior double doors, make sure they're made of heavy-duty steel. Wooden doors may be cut open, giving burglars free reign of your home.

Last but not least, make the investment in an alarm system. The best systems are those that immediately alert local police that a break-in has occurred, regardless of whether anyone calls 911. That service usually comes with an additional monthly charge. Get yourself a panic button, as well. If you suspect someone might be lurking outside your home, simply pressing the button will scare him off in seconds flat. Some of the best systems out there contain a feature that protects you if a burglar enters your home and confronts you, ordering you to disengage your alarm. You can press a button which appears to disengage the system but in reality notifies the police of a break-in.

Taking all of these precautions not only will provide you with peace of mind, but should lower your theft insurance premiums, as well -- giving you a little extra income to use for your monthly security system charges. It's the best investment you'll ever make. For more information about improving the security on your doors, head to Door Security. And for tips on reinforcing window security, head to Window Security.