6 cheap, effective home security solutions

frugal

You spend time and money to create a nice home. How can you protect it from intruders without it costing a fortune? It's easier than you think.

Chris Hsiung, a lieutenant with the Mountain View Police Department in California, says that the best home security involves multiple deterrents to dissuade opportunists and thieves from making your home a target.

Contrary to what you see on TV, Hsiung says most homes are burglarized during the day when residents are out. "Burglars do not want to confront anybody. At the first sign of occupancy, they're gone," he says. "They just want to grab property and sell it. The criminals know that when someone is in the house, it changes the crime classification."

Because of this, thieves frequently pose as solicitors, he says. If no one answers the door, that's their cue to head around back and break in. Outsmart a thief with these home security tactics for less.

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6 cheap, effective home security solutions