Michael Petruccelli asks; What are some inexpensive, effective ways to defend your home against burglaries & invasions. (3)

Michael Petruccelli says; Finally, do your own sleuthing by spending time in the neighborhoods that interest you. Look for bars on doors and windows and alarm company signs in front of homes, giveaways to a troubled neighborhood. Chat with business owners. Knock on doors to ask neighbors about crime. If you’re renting, pick an upper-floor unit (ground-floor apartments can be attacked more easily). Look for on-site management and inspect the complex carefully, watching for damaged doors that signal previous break-ins. Best is an apartment with kick-proof metal door jambs rather than wood or a steel door.

Michael Petruccelli asks; What are some inexpensive, effective ways to defend your home against burglaries & invasions. (2)

Michael Petruccelli says;  · City police departments are the source for neighborhood-level crime statistics. The question is, will they share their data with you? Some cities — Portland, Ore., is one — post neighborhood crime stats online. Others will give the data if you phone the police department or the office of the mayor or city council members. You can also check with local newspapers.

Michael Petruccelli asks; What are some inexpensive, effective ways to defend your home against burglaries & invasions. (1)

Michael Petruccelli says;  You can make your home a whole lot more secure for little to no money. That’s because most of the best home protection simply involves smart thinking and good habits.

Pick your location carefully. Location is a huge factor in home security, so buy or rent in the best neighborhood you can afford. Real-estate agents can help point you in the right direction but they can’t — at the risk of committing housing discrimination — offer detailed guidance, so you must do your own research before you move:

· For the big picture, find statistics online (start with BestPlaces.net or Wikipedia). Make sure you’re looking at recent data.

Michael Petruccelli asks; What are some home maintenance tips for fall?(27)

Michael Petruccelli says;   Paint interior rooms while it's still warm enough to leave windows open. The same applies for shampooing or replacing carpets.

Clean and vacuum dust from vents, baseboard heaters and cold-air returns. Dust build-up in ducts is a major cause of indoor pollutants and can increase incidences of cold-weather illnesses. Consider hiring a pro to clean hard-to-reach duct work.

Michael Petruccelli asks; What are some home maintenance tips for fall?(26)

Michael Petruccelli says;  Thermostat: The number one thing that affects a person's bill is the heat they use in their house. Heating accounts for approximately 70% of a person's energy bill. The simple act of turning down your thermostat at night or while you are gone during the day will go a long way to reducing your energy bills.

It is recommended keeping your thermostat at 68-72 degrees for heating purposes and dropping it lower at night. By turning your thermostat down at night, you reap the savings of a lower winter utility bill. 

If you have trouble remembering to turn the temperature down, consider installing a programmable thermostat to do the work for you.

Michael Petruccelli asks; What are some home maintenance tips for fall?(25)

Michael Petruccelli says;  Equipment: If you have portable patio furniture, lightweight play equipment, or a barbecue grill, store it inside. The exception to this is a propane tank, which should never be put indoors. Garden hoses should be drained of water and stored indoors. Make sure your outside water spigots are completely turned off and capped to prevent freezing.