Home Security

Dog(s): You don’t need to adopt an angry mastiff to scare away intruders. Even a small dog will provide sufficient discouragement. Burglars do not want to call attention their activities and are likely simply to choose a home without a barking pet.
Door Gates: Many homes in San Francisco already have gates, which can be an effective deterrent but are also pricey. Weigh the safety of your neighborhood, and the likelihood of someone breaking in through the door, against the cost. You might want to install a gate on only the back or side door. Alternatively, a heavier door with secure framing might also fill the bill and be more attractive.
Fences: These barriers might keep people out but could also obscure criminal activity from public view. Before installing a fence consider the general safety of your neighborhood and the benefits of privacy relative to the drawbacks of a fence. Shrubbery can also provide a shield for burglars. Be sure to cut back any bushes that obscure doors, ground floor or basement windows.
Locks: Place locks on mailboxes — an especially important precaution with the rise of identity theft. (Don’t forget to ask a friend or neighbor to pick up newspapers and mail while you’re away –– or have them held until your return.) You’ll also want to lock up other portable items in your garage or yard, such as bicycles and scooters.
Outdoor Lighting: Install lights over the front and back doors, the entry to the garage, and at the sides of your house, if needed. Consider lights with a motion sensor — you’ll save on electricity and not irritate neighbors with constant brightness. You can also buy lights that turn on automatically in the evenings and shut off at daybreak, as well as lights with timers to go on and off at seemingly arbitrary times. This latter type is also effective for interior use and gives the impression that someone is home.
Radios & Televisions: Keep one of these on while you're out of the house to make it sound as if someone is there, listening or watching.