IN THE FACE OF ALARMING STATISTICS ON THE RISE OF BURGLARY AND LARCENY, THIS HANDBOOK NOTES FOUR STEPS HOMEOWNERS CAN TAKE TO REDUCE THE THREAT OF THESE AND OTHER PREVALENT CRIMES: (1) DISCOURAGE CRIMINALS PSYCHOLOGICALLY, (2) MAKE IT PHYSICALLY DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO ENTER, (3) MAKE IT DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO TAKE ANYTHING OF VALUE, AND (4) INSURE POSSESSIONS AGAINST LOSS. MEANS AVAILABLE TO ACHIEVE SUCH CRIME PREVENTION AND REDUCTION ENDS ARE EXAMINED IN SUBSEQUENT SECTIONS ON BURGLAR ALARM SYSTEMS, ADVANCED SECURITY SYSTEMS, GROUNDS PROTECTION SCHEMES (FENCES AND WALLS, GUARD DOGS, GATE ALARMS), PROTECTION IN THE HOME (INTERIOR LIGHTING, AREA ALARM SYSTEMS, AUTOMATIC TELEPHONE DIALERS), PROTECTING BELONGINGS (ITEMIZING AND MARKING POSSESSIONS, SECURING VEHICLES AND OTHER EQUIPMENT), AND PROTECTING POINTS OF ENTRY (DOOR AND WINDOW CONSTRUCTION, LOCKS, IDENTIFYING VISITORS). OTHER SECTIONS COVER SUCH RELATED TOPICS AS PROTECTING HOMES FROM FIRE, SECURITY WHEN AWAY FROM HOME, AND PROTECTION ON THE STREETS. A SECURITY EQUIPMENT BUYER'S GUIDE IS APPENDED. AN INDEX IS INCLUDED. (KBL)