[LuvtheCooper]

Hi all,
I haven't posted in a bit, but I did want to post this. I think it's very important and I hope that even one of you will take what I say to heart and act on it.
Last Thursday was my 26th wedding anniversary. Husband and I went out to eat lunch, run a few errands...you know a regular day. We never stay out long, we don't leave Cooper and Carley alone longer than for 4 hours at a time. We came home to find our front door (glass door) propped open and the inner door wide open. I was out of the car before it came to a full stop. Luckily ( and this is the ONLY good part to this story) both Cooper and Carley were there, hiding in the downstairs living room. Yes, we had been robbed. House trashed, stuff taken, but thankfully my babies were unharmed ( I thought). We did find out later the (insert appropriate word here) had shot my Cooper with a BB gun. I know my little guy was just trying to protect his home and that is what he got for his trouble...he will be fine though.

So anyway to get to the reason for my post, and I truly hope you don't just skim through this and feel bad for me and fail to do any of this..YOU REALLY NEED to LISTEN to THIS Part!!
Write down all Credit Card Info, Account #s, Phone #'s and put it in a SAFE PLACE. Having that list in front of you when you need it is imperative! If you do nothing else, do this part!
List and take pictures of all valuables with SERIAL Numbers.
Block all sliding doors and windows with dowel rods or commercial things that are available for this purpose. All window locks are CRAP!
Door locks, even the well made ones, don't help unless you reinforce your door jambs. The best locked door can be kicked out in no time, if only a thin door jamb holds it in place. Reinforce with metal plates.
When gone have a tv or radio playing in a room that can't be seen from your front windows (if you leave your drapes open). Give those creeps at least a reason to think someone COULD be home. Apparently, these guys like to drop someone off, ring the doorbell..if someone answers they make up some dumb excuse, if not, they go to an unseen spot to break in. They line up everything, call for the ride to come back and are gone in minutes.
Doing any of these things won't guarantee you won't be a victim, but it could lessen your chances and if it does happen, you are prepared.
Other tips...
Leave a car parked in the driveway when you are gone (ours were all safe in the garage)
Install security cameras.
Get an alarm system ( a small one that calls your cell phone can be had for as little as $150.00)
Get a driveway alert gadget. When you are home, it lets you know someone pulled into your driveway and are visible to thief's.
Put in lights that come on automatically when the sensor is tripped. Put them where at least one light will shine INTO the house that alerts you they have been tripped. If they just shine out into the yard, you may not be aware they have gone off.
Get a home safe that bolts to concrete. Keep your valuables and paperwork in it. It's a pain, but so is calling the police, calling the insurance company and calling credit card companies and having your identity stolen. You can get a small one for about $100.00.

Again, please don't just read this and think you need to do this. DO IT!! Make it a priority!