11 More Great Ways to Deter Break-Ins . . . Readers Speak Out

For my article, 8 Great Ways to Deter Break-Ins, I thought I had come up with some good ideas. Little did I know there would be so many readers with additional clever ideas for home security. Some sound inspired by bigger worrywarts than I am. One of my favorites was from a woman in her sixties who lived alone. Whenever the doorbell rang, she'd call out, "Larry, would you stop cleaning your gun and answer the door!" I thank everyone for all their comments, some of which I've copied below.

1. A police officer in our area suggested leaving a pair of men's boots on your front porch- in the largest size you can find!
2. While traveling, we use upholstery thread (@$2; MUCH stronger than sewing thread), and tie little Christmas bells everywhere in the yard and house. Prowlers can't see them until they hear them, again, and again, and... Also, we ALWAYS leave a note of "Welcome" to a fictitious houseguest and a $50-bill on the refrigerator. Gives the impression our guests could walk in at ANY moment, and - if the money is gone - we KNOW to call the police (what criminal would just walk by cash?).
3. Leave the TV on including sound in a dimly or otherwise unlit room so that the changing illumination and sound from the TV can be seen and heard from outside. Pick a station that broadcasts 24/7.
4. Put lights and radio on a timer. Get a "Fake TV" (blinking LED television light simulator.) These two things make my home look occupied at night.
5. Rose bushes. I figure if it doesn't stop the intruder, I will at least get a good DNA sample.
6. Another great plant for under windows is the Pyracantha bush - it has long, very sharp thorns. A sure deterrent for anyone thinking of coming in through a window. 
7. When going away, I leave one of the computers at home on (sleep mode disabled), and with a web cam pointing at an area of interest. Then, when traveling, even internationally, I log in to messenger, access the remote computer using MS Mesh, and activate the camera. There are some other alternatives where you can have motion-sensing cameras with web access, but at least this alternative is free.
8. Last but not least, you should always let some neighbors know you will be away, so they can keep an eye on your house, and pick up deliveries and mail.
9. Our house was burglarized about 3 years ago (we came home to find our front door kicked right in). The kind police officer that came over actually encouraged us to replace the deadbolt strikes on all exterior doors. Look at your local home improvement store for a deadbolt strike that is extra long, and replace your old ones with it, using very long screws (say 3 or 4 inches, sufficient to reach all the way through the door frame into the nearest adjacent stud). This helps to reinforce your doors from being kicked in. Additionally, we immediately installed a state of the art alarm system. It includes motion detectors (because if a window is broken in, instead of opened, it never sets off the alarm), as well as a cell-backup (in case the phone line is cut) and a battery back-up. After Hurricane Ike we were without power for 15 days- but our house alarm stayed on the whole time!
10. Really savvy criminals may be able to cut the phone line that supplies your security system. Many security system service providers now provide a "cell phone" backup system to prevent this. In case the main phone line is cut, a signal is sent over the cell system that the sytem has been compromised or that a break-in has occurred. Ask your security provider if they have the service!
11. Place a "Beware of dog" sign on the gate or "This home is protected by a security system" sign...whether or not you have either! 

For more great ideas from the very source—burglars themselves—check out my post "Advice from Burglars" on my blog Confessions of a Worrywart.

Is your burglar alarm really protecting you? Tips From a Top Security Expert

Have I missed other great ideas? If so, let me hear from you in the comments below.