Don't trick yourself into feeling security complacent

We have all experienced moments of forgetfulness: forgetting to lock a door to your home or vehicle, or possibly forgetting a set of keys inside a lock. These are common occurrences in every-day life.

I am concerned, however, with people that trustingly leave their car keys inside their vehicle or leave a door or window open at their home because they feel their belongings are somehow burglarproof.

These repeat offenders usually get caught sooner or later by an unassuming thief. Thieves that just happen to escape your visual field long enough to make off with some of your most valuable possessions.

Assuming it will not happen to you is the worst mistake you can make.

We must be responsible for securing our unattended possessions as best we can, even if these possessions are left for only a few seconds.

Leaving remote controls to electric garage doors in vehicles is a perfect example of careless security. It doesn't take a thief long to spot a remote on a vehicle's visor. While you're out enjoying a movie, an opportunist now has the remote control to your garage door.

Make sure you take your remote control with you at all times. It might help to purchase a small key chain remote to assure you will always have it in your possession.

One simple rule of thumb to avoid having merchandise stolen from your vehicle, whether it's a purse or a laptop computer, is: don't leave anything in your vehicle. These days vehicles are number one on thieves' target lists.

Remember to lock your offices at work. It's common practice for thieves to scout locations, walk into unlocked offices, take an inventory, and survey agendas to determine when their victims will be absent.

Computer thieves are bold and usually work during the day, so take the necessary precautions and bolt down or secure all computers and deadbolt your office door to assure nothing is disturbed when you return.

If you have a burglar alarm, use it. I'm always amazed at how many people have burglar alarms and don't use them.

Whether its complacency or lack of user knowledge, you should always arm your burglar alarm system when you are away. If you don't know how to operate your system, call a qualified alarm installer.

Don't get caught by a thief. It's stressful enough being a victim of a crime without the added guilt of carelessness.