TO PREVENT PERSONAL INJURY AND PROPERTY LOSS, REDUCE INSURANCE COSTS, AND PROVIDE HOMEOWNERS WITH PEACE OF MIND, THE TEXT PRESENTS IDEAS FOR INCREASING RESIDENTIAL SECURITY AT A REASONABLE COST. BREAKTHROUGHS IN THE UNDERSTANDING OF BURGLARY PATTERNS, AS WELL AS THE DEVELOPMENT OF FIRE PROTECTION DEVICES AND METHODS OF COPING WITH DISASTERS PROVIDE FAMILIES WITH NUMEROUS WAYS OF PROTECTING THEMSELVES AND THEIR HOMES. SECURITY MEASURES SHOULD BE TAILORED TO THE PARTICULAR SITUATION OF EACH FAMILY AND RESIDENCE, BUT CERTAIN BASIC PRINCIPLES APPLY TO ALL HOMES. EVERY RESIDENCE SHOULD BE THE SUBJECT OF A HOME SECURITY SURVEY WHICH EXAMINES THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF THE HOUSE. THE HOMEOWNER SHOULD INSPECT THE STRENGTH OF THE DOOR AND WINDOW LOCKS, ENSURE THE SAFETY OF HOUSE WIRING AND FUSES, AND STORE VALUABLES IN A BANK'S SAFE DEPOSIT BOX. FAMILY MEMBERS MUST BE AWARE OF FIRE ESCAPE ROUTES, OF THE USE OF FIRE EXTINGUISHERS, AND OF THE SAFEST PLACES TO STAY DURING STORMS. MOREOVER, THE INSTALLATION OF SPECIAL EXTERIOR LIGHTING AND ALARMS MAY QUALIFY THE HOMEOWNER FOR A DISCOUNT ON HOME INSURANCE RATES. BURGLARS ARE RELUCTANT TO ENTER HOUSES THAT ARE PROTECTED BY ALARMS, DOGS, OR PROPER LIGHTING, AND THEY ARE DISCOURAGED FROM STEALING PROPERTY MARKED WITH IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS. ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION FOCUSES ON ELECTRONIC ALARMS, TORNADO SHELTERS, GAS DETECTORS, AND WAYS TO PREVENT CAR THEFT. INSTALLATION DIAGRAMS, ILLUSTRATIONS, AND SOURCES FOR EQUIPMENT ARE PROVIDED. (TWK)