The Insurance Information Institute has published some interesting information and tips about home security, which we've summarized for you below.

Burglars won't find your home an "easy mark" if they are forced to work in the light, if they have to take a lot of time breaking in, or if they can't break in without making a lot of noise.

LIGHT: This is the real enemy of any potential burglar. Exterior lights and motion detectors, mounted out of easy reach, can reduce the darkness a burglar finds comforting. If the lights are installed very low, it is too easy to simply unscrew the bulbs and regain the advantage of darkness. Low-level yard and landscape lighting, in addition to being an attractive addition to your home's curb appeal, is an effective burglar deterrent.

TIME: Research shows that if it takes more than four or five minutes to break into a home, the burglar will go elsewhere. Check your home for weaknesses and correct them...take the time to "case" your house or apartment, just as a burglar would, to find the easiest points of entry and make them more burglar resistant. In fact, the simplest objects - nails, screws, padlocks, doors and window locks, grates, bars and bolts - can be the most effective security devices because they increase the amount of time it takes to break into your home. However, when improving the security of your home, don't exchange security for personal safety. Don't make your home such a fortress that you are unable to escape in case of a fire or other emergency. Trim trees and shrubs near doors and windows, and think carefully before installing a high, wooden fence around your back yard. High fences and shrubbery can add to your privacy, but privacy is a burglar's asset. Consider trading a little extra privacy for a bit of added security.

NOISE: Invest in a burglar alarm. Self-installing alarm systems are readily available at many home improvement stores these days and can be installed in a single day. However, the most effective ones also ring at an outside service who can then dispatch a private patrol or police car. Let your neighbors know that you do have a burglar alarm and to please not ignore it if you are not home. In this day and age of false car alarms, many people don't investigate when an alarm sounds. Have an agreement with your close neighbors not only to keep an eye on each other's homes, but to step outside when they hear an alarm and call your emergency contact number.

Here are some simple security steps you can take to discourage burglars:

• Doors: Make sure you have strong doors. Outside doors should be metal or solid hardwood, and at least 1-3/4" thick. Frames must be made of equally strong material, and each door must fit its frame securely. Even the most efficient lock, if it is placed in a weak door, will not keep out a determined burglar.
• Peephole: A peephole or a wide-angle viewer in the door is safer for identifying visitors than a door chain.
• Sliding Glass Doors: Sliding glass doors present a special problem because they are easy to open, but there are locks designed for them. A broomstick in the door channel can help, but cannot be depended on.
• Locks - Deadbolt locks are best. They usually are locked with a key from the outside and a thumb turn on the inside. The cylinder (where the key is inserted) should be pick-resistant. Ask your hardware dealer for a reputable brand or buy your locks from a locksmith.
• Windows - Key locks are available for all types of windows. Double-hung windows can be secured simply by "pinning" the upper and lower frames together with a nail, which can be removed from the inside. For windows at street level or on fire escapes, consider installing metal accordion gates.