Home security is about protection, safety and peace of mind. Everyone has a right to protect their property but how you do it needs to be more subtle and less strong arm. And as always, prevention is definitely better than direct action.

But why are Irish people so laid back when it comes to protecting their homes?

In 2005, burglaries cost Irish people 59m, according to the most recent Eircom Phonewatch report, which also revealed that on average a burglar robs 3,600 worth of goods and cash from each home.

"Most burglars are opportunists. They see an open door or window at ground level and get in very easily, " said a spokesperson for An Garda Siochana. Garda statistics also reveal that burglaries in 2005 were up 6% on the previous year, indicating that Irish people are still quite laid back when it comes to home security.

The majority of burglaries take place in the Dublin Metropolitan area (around 66%), and 66% of homes burgled have no security system whatsoever. New estates largely inhabited by young doubleincome families, out of the house for up to 12 hours a day are particularly vulnerable, and six in 10 homes are occupied when burgled.

Burglar alarms One of the most obvious deterrents to a thief is a burglar alarm. "You can spend as much as you like on home security, but the standard alarm system is perfect for the average home, " says Andy Hirst, sales director at HomeTech, the Maynooth-based company which specialises in home security devises.

"A good standard alarm will have motion detectors attached to all your windows, and front and back door. But even having that alarm box visible at the front of your house is very important, " explains Hirst.

"Some systems pride themselves on being very discreet, but when it comes to your home, you really need to let potential burglars know you have an alarm system, " adds Hirst.

Graham Byrne, owner of A+ Monitored Security Solutions agrees that a standard alarm wired up to all external doors and windows is a very good deterrent for would-be intruders.

"We do a lot of business for newly-built homes which are pre-wired for an alarm. It costs around 550 to install, " says Byrne. "A common mistake people make when having an alarm installed is not wiring up small windows or bathroom windows, but you'd be surprised at how many burglars use small children to access bathroom windows and then open the front door."

Slightly more expensive but probably affording more peace of mind are the monitored alarm systems like Eircom Phonewatch, which is wired into your phone line, and is monitored from a central station. If the motion detectors attached to windows and doors goes off, the monitoring centre confirms it's not a false alarm and then call the gardai. Installation costs obviously vary depending on size of house and number of windows and doors, but annual monitoring charges cost from 263 per year on top of the once-off installation costs.

Other popular alarms are those with voice dialling facilities, which automatically phone four designated telephone numbers if the alarm goes off. These alarms don't rely on central monitoring stations and don't have annual fees.

And from 1 August this year, homeowners can be assured that their alarm won't be installed by a 'cowboy'. Under Section 52 of the Private Security Services Act 2004, it will be an offence for any alarm company or individual to install an alarm without having been granted a licence from the Private Security Authority, a move which many of the companies welcome.

CCTV While CCTV cameras are often associated with public places and large expensive homes with high-profile owners, this area of the market has grown in recent years, as prices have come down, according to Hirst.

"Homeowners who are out or away a lot tend to go for the new Smartwatch system, which allows them to see inside and outside their home on a PC or laptop via the internet. The system involves around 16 wireless cameras, and it costs around 1,500, " he says.

Simple black and white cameras can also be installed on your property to record what's going on when you're not there, recording onto digital recorders or VCRs so you can review the footage when you get home. The cameras are activated by sensors and only start recording when there is movement.

Beware though: there are some legal issues regarding CCTV systems. For example, cameras should only be directed towards your own property . . . you don't want to be accused of spying on your neighbours.

Lighting With most break-ins taking place between midnight and 4am, it seems that burglars favour the dark. Which is why lighting is all important according to the experts.

Andy Hirst says even if homeowners don't have any security system, they should at the very least invest in a basic sensor light, which can be bought at any of the DIY stores for around 24.99.

However, security companies can also install more sophisticated lighting systems whereby infra-red sensors come on automatically if they detect any movement, focusing on darker areas of the garden.

Good lighting is important for interiors too, particularly if you're away. Use timing devices to turn on and off lights and the television, giving the impression that someone's at home.

Windows and doors Around 80% of burglars enter through an open door or window. "We've all at some time left a window or door open . . . we're only going out for a little while, so we don't bother to lock the windows, or we leave the back door open, " says Graham Byrne. He suggests fitting all-glass sliding doors with pins to prevent both horizontal and vertical movement.

Front and back doors should also be fitted with dead bolt locks as these are the most difficult to pick.

Keys Few people think of changing the locks when they move house, but security experts say this is crucial as you don't know who has keys to your home. The other big no-no, which seems pretty obvious but which countless people still do, is leave a spare key either under the mat, or under a flower-pot. A good place to leave a spare key is under the mat of a friend or family member, and they can leave their spare key in a hiding place in your garden. This will really confuse your burglar! Also never hang your house keys on hooks near the letterbox; it's quite easy for burglars to access them, especially if your letter box is large enough to fit a hand through. A letterbox cage is a wise investment.

Make it difficult While you can't completely ensure your home will never be broken into, you can make it as difficult as possible for the intruder. Put trellising around your garden wall as it's really hard to climb over; a thorny hedge along the boundary can also act as a deterrent. Keep your front and back gardens visible, and trim back trees that might enable intruders to climb up and into an upstairs window. Fit gates to side passages, and lock garden gates at night. Also remember to lock away garden tools and ladders, which can be a great help to burglars. And if that does't work you could always settle for a big dog!

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