There’s no foolproof way to foil a clever or determined burglar. But there are several things you can do to protect your home from a crook who’s looking for an easy mark. According to the National Crime Prevention Council, half of all burglaries occur because residents have neglected to lock doors and windows—proof that minimal security can make a big difference. Take these easy steps to secure your home.

1. Lock doors and windows before leaving the house. Make it a habit to check them at night.

2. Get pick-proof locks for all your windows.

3. Install dead bolts on your front and back doors. Anything else can be more easily broken.

4. Put a dowel or broom handle in the track of sliding-glass doors so they can’t be opened even if the lock is tampered with.

5. If there’s a pane of glass within easy reach of an inside door lock, consider getting a lock that only opens from inside with a key.

6. Plant prickly or very thick shrubs and plants under your windows to create a physical barrier.

7. Install motion detector lights outside, especially in back or side yards where burglars like to hide.

8. If you’ve been thinking of installing window bars or a home alarm system, don’t put it off. If you don’t have a security alarm system it can’t hurt to place stickers in your windows indicating that you do. As always, the idea is to deter a burglar looking for an easy mark.

9. Keep expensive equipment and other valuables away from windows where they can easily be spotted from outside.

10. Join or start a neighborhood watch group. Neighbor-to-neighbor networks are one of the most effective ways to discourage crime