Special Report: Ways To Keep You Safe

Most people would like the latest high-tech alarm for your home or car, but most simply can’t afford them.

Gary Hall is co-owner of Radio Active in La Quinta. He says the best choice to protect your valuables isn’t always the expensive alarm system — that includes your car.

“Everybody hears sirens,? he said. ?They’re so used to hearing false alarms, they don’t respond to them very quickly. So just having a sticker in your window or a LED flashing in your car, that’s usually a pretty good deterrent.”

Those flashing LED lights look like car alarm is active. You can buy one for about $30.

There’s also something called a kill switch. Just flip the switch, and thieves won’t be able to start your car. But make sure to hide it well, it can be easily disconnected.

The switch costs about $10.

And if you?re worried about your car parts, there are wheel and tire locks. Those start at $30.

You can buy a VIN (vehicle identification number) etching kit for $20. It lets you write your VIN on your car parts in case they’re stolen.

A simple hood lock can protect your engine for about the same price.

But a simple $5 sticker could be all you need. Hall says make sure it’s from an alarm company that’s different from yours.

“Whenever we put this system, we put a Viper sticker on it so the person trying to break into the vehicle thinks there?s a Viper alarm,? he said. ?There?s certain ways to disable certain types of alarms so there’s that kind of element of surprise.”

Hall also says you can remove your distributor cap if you’re parking your vehicle for a long period of time — like at an airport. It might discourage thieves from stealing your vehicle. Just make sure you know how to take it off and put it on again.

Of course, any of these cost-effective items is no substitute for personal awareness.

Don’t leave enticing items out where thieves can see.

Car safety is one thing, but it’s hard to put a price tag on protecting yourself.

Buying a handgun might seem like a smart choice, but very few people can get a concealed weapons permit – and even having a gun to keep at home requires a lot of responsibility, training and money.

It can add up to hundreds of dollars.

Cheri Michel is a self defense instructor at the Coachella Valley Security Academy. She says there’s a couple of options for those who don’t want to buy a gun.

“When you?re dealing with taking someone’s life, that’s something to think about,? she said. ?Some people don’t really want to deal with having a gun and dealing with that kind of responsibility.”

Michel recommends the usual pepper spray and a Taser. The spray can shoot up to 10 feet and costs about $10. Tasers cost more: $300 to $400. But given what it can do to even the toughest officers it maybe worth the extra money.

The academy also teaches a class on how to effectively use the stun gun. They also teach a self defense course. Michel is the instructor. It’s a 4 hour class and costs $65.

But the best safety tip you’ll get out of it won’t cost you a thing.

“Ninety percent is your awareness,? she said. ?The other 10 percent is knowing what to do when you get into a situation. But 90 percent – if you just increase your awareness levels ? you?re able to avoid a lot of situations.”

Awareness is just as important as you consider home safety. Home Depot supervisor Anthony Arce suggests walking around the home first.

“[Pretend] as if you were a burglar, and see how easy it is to gain access into your home by checking the doors, by checking the windows their loose,” he said.

If they are Acre says you can find everything you need at a Home Depot or any other hardware store.

?They come in here looking specifically for a burglar alarm or maybe a surveillance system,? he said. ?But really these things probably aren’t going to stop a burglar from breaking in but it’s going to be a deterrent.”

The hot sellers are motion activated lights with prices starting around $20.

Need to secure your doors and windows?

There’s a window or door alarm for $20, or you get a sliding door or window lock for about $5.

A simple one dollar wooden dowel could also work to re-enforce on your windows or door, or a $5 sign stating your security company.

Actually having a security guard patrol your home is a cost some can’t afford, so you can get active in your neighborhood watch or have a friend watch your home when your out of town.

While all these tips might deter thieves — if someone really wants steal from you or hurt you — they’ll find a way.

But hopefully these tips will give a little piece of mind for not a lot of money.