Landscaping with security in mind

Getting away for a summer vacation? Make sure your home is safe while you’re away. A residential burglary takes place somewhere in America every 13 seconds. There are things you can do to lower the odds that it will happen to you.

Everyone knows the basics: strong locks and bright lights discourage crooks, timers make it look like you’re home, and alarms scare off all but the most aggressive crooks. Still, there’s more you can do — and it’s easy.

•Do your trees and shrubs provide more than looks? Tour your property at night. Look for deep shadows and good hiding places, then prune trees and shrubs.

•Cut all bushes down to 3 feet in height and prune trees to eliminate potential hiding places.

•Then use the natural protection of “thorny” plants around and beneath windows, wherever you can.