Feeling safe after neighbourhood break-ins

Question: There have been a couple of residential break-ins in my neighbourhood recently and I haven't felt safe in my home since. Although I mainly live upstairs, I have a dark dreary basement that concerns me. I live alone and am nervous that somebody could break in through the basement door or windows . I have an alarm system, but that doesn't stop an intruder from getting in. Do you have any advice that could help me keep safe?

Fourchalk: You mentioned that your basement is dark and dreary. This gives me the impression that you have very poor lighting conditions downstairs. If this is the case, install bright lighting downstairs with a control switch located upstairs. This will allow you to throw light in the basement area without having to go downstairs.

Next, install drop bars on your downstairs doors. These are metal bars that run horizontally across the door, barricade style (make sure that they feature quick release from the inside in case of fire). If you have a window in or near the door, install lexan (an impact resistance polycarbonate) in front of the window area to prevent glass breakage.

All other downstairs windows should have security bars installed on them (with fire-safety releases). Bars or grills are still the best form of window security. And if you have a door at the top of your stairs, why not install a deadbolt or drop bar as secondary security?