14 Ways to Prevent Holiday Season Break-Ins

Want the look, but not the price tag or upkeep of a home-security camera? Then consider investing in a decoy, which works to ward off potential buglers by creating the appearance of an extensive, high-tech system. Complete with a blinking LED light, this camera should be mounted outside.

Similarly, home security system signs can be a deterrent to burglars—the Greenwich Study of Residential Security found that homes without indication of alarms were 2.7 to 3.5 times more likely to be burglarized. But stick with a generic sign rather than one branded with a specific company. Many burglars take the time to learn the ins and outs of all the different systems, and can often come up with ways to deactivate or override them.

About $22, Shopping.com