Norman Rockwell is dead.

The days of leaving the door unlocked and simply trusting in the goodness of humanity are over.

The incidence of burglary in the South increased 2.8 percent last year, according to Federal Bureau of Investigation statistics.

As of July 31, there have been 1,557 burglaries in the city of Chattanooga, compared with 1,445 at the same time last year, according to the Chattanooga Police Department.

Here are some easy steps you can take to protect your home and your family from potential intruders.

1. Lock up.

Maybe it ought to go without saying, but one key to home security: Get good locks and use them, even when you're at home.

Rick Napier of Rick's Lock and Key recommends using a double-cylinder deadbolt to keep doors at their maximum security. A double-cylinder lock requires the door to be opened with a key on both sides, while a single cylinder uses a key for the outside and a thumb-turn for the inside.

"If you have glass in your door, they can break the glass in the door and reach in on a single cylinder," Mr. Napier said, "On a double cylinder, they'd have to have the key for the inside also."

Even if a burglar enters through a window, he said, a double-cylinder lock would prevent him or her from exiting the house via the door, a hindrance when one is trying to steal a flat-screen TV.

2. Use an alarm.

Let technology protect your home. Get an alarm system.

"We're seeing a rise in new customers," said Bob Tucker, spokesman for ADT alarm system, "as well as current customers wanting to upgrade their systems."

Alarm systems are connected to a call center that is alerted when the alarm is triggered so police and owners can be notified. Many alarm systems also have triggers for fire, carbon monoxide and flood.

A basic package at ADT begins at about $200, with a $30 monthly monitoring fee.

Some insurance companies offer discounts on homeowner policies for customers who have an alarm system installed.

3. Plant to protect.

Landscaping can help protect your home as well.

"(Burglars) don't like to be seen," said Chattanooga Realtor Andy Hodes. He recommends keeping bushes and shrubs pruned back from entryways to avoid giving potential burglars a place to hide.

Tom Carroll, owner of Carroll Landscaping, suggests using shrubs to deter perpetrators, by planting prickly bushes in spaces burglars might try to sneak into a home.

"Put holly bushes underneath the window," he said.

Flowering quince, barberry and carissa are also good options.

4. Light up.

Use good outdoor lights to illuminate the yard and eliminate shadows where burglars can hide. A bright set of lights allows neighbors to witness suspicious activity and notify you or the police.

Lights are a key to home security on the inside as well. Putting indoor lights on automatic timers can fool passers-by into thinking someone is home.

"The touchstone really is to fool potential burglars into (thinking) your home is always occupied," said State Farm media spokesperson Shawn Johnson.

Which leads us to ...

5. Look like you're there, even when you're not.

An abandoned house is catnip for a burglar, so never let on that you're not home. Besides putting lights on timers, Mr. Johnson advises having a trusted friend or neighbor pick up your mail and newspaper, rather than having it stopped. "If you're calling the post office and newspaper, there are two groups of people right there who are going to know you're away," he said.

Asking a neighbor to take care of your lawn also keeps up the ruse that someone is home. And finally, no matter how fun it is to let everyone know about your upcoming vacation, posting online that you will not be home for a week's time is akin to putting up a sign on the front door reading "House empty; come on in."

Surprise friends with photos when you get back.

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