Whether or not the world is getting more dangerous is debatable. However, the safety of your family should always be an issue of concern. Whether you've recently experienced a break in or are just anxious about leaving your children home alone, there are many things you can do to improve security around the house. While nothing is completely foolproof, making a few changes can go a long way in deterring would-be troublemakers and give you some peace of mind.

Trim hedges and shrubbery away from walkways, windows and doors so that the path is visible and no intruders can hide in the landscaping. Install motion detector lights that will flood the area with light upon your arrival or other movement.

Install a wide-angled peephole in your door so that your family can see who is at the door before you answer it. Pair this with a quality door (solid wood is the safest) on a good frame with a decent lock. Invest in door and window braces for other potential entry points in the house.

Also, if you are going away for a while, cancel the newspaper delivery and ask a trusted friend to pick up the mail. Don't tell strangers about your trip out of town, but do let your neighbors know so that they can keep an eye on your house.

Don't give thieves any incentives: when you buy new appliances or electronics, don't leave your boxes at the curb for all eyes to see. Break them down and recycle them.

Find a good spot to hide your valuables inside your house. Safes should be built in to a wall or other structure, well hidden and kept locked. It's also a good idea to list and photograph all your possessions as a record for your insurance company. In the event of a break in, this will help simplify your insurance claim.

March Existing-Home Sales Slip Due to Limited Inventory, Prices Maintain Uptrend

Existing-home sales eased in March from inventory constraints, which continued to pressure home prices, according to the National Association of Realtors®.

Total existing-home sales, which are completed transactions that include single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops, declined 0.6 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.92 million in March from a downwardly revised 4.95 million in February, but remain 10.3 percent higher than the 4.46 million-unit pace in March 2012.

Lawrence Yun , NAR chief economist, said there is more demand than supply in the current market. "Buyer traffic is 25 percent above a year ago when we were already seeing notable gains in shopping activity," he said. "In the same timeframe housing inventories have trended much lower, which is continuing to pressure home prices. The good news is home construction is rising and low mortgage rates are continuing to keep affordability conditions at historically favorable levels. The bad news is that underwriting standards remain excessively tight, while renters are getting squeezed by higher rents."

According to Freddie Mac, the national average commitment rate for a 30-year, conventional, fixed-rate mortgage increased to 3.57 percent in March from 3.53 percent in February; it was 3.95 percent in March 2012.

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