The change of seasons gets everyone to thinking about changes in one's life. If nature does it, shouldn't you see how you need to adapt to the coming times? For Akron and Columbus residents, home security is one of the big issues to confront. As cold weather approaches, you'd think it would be easier to keep security tight. Fewer windows are open and, in general, people are home more often. Still, you can't let your guard down. Here are 5 ideas for solid Columbus and Akron home security.

1. Replace your feeble locks. Locks are still one of the key elements of a home security system. Some criminals will say 'home alarm system be damned' and try to get in and out with an object they have seen from the street. In these situations, the locks are the only thing standing between you and a robbery. Unless you have the sort of locks which cannot be picked (a la the modern deadbolts), you are always going to be taking some kind of chance.

2. Seal vulnerable windows. Windows are only one good blow away from being smashed and thus your street level windows are a big problem area. The only way to know this won't be happening is to seal these windows so they cannot be broken. While window bars may be the ultimate solution, they could work against you if there is a fire. Besides, the unsightliness of bars on the windows is not what you would want.

3. Add a wall of lights. If Phil Spector could create a 'wall of sound,' could you not create a wall of lights? Lights are going to get the job done anytime a prowler is creeping around your home at night. Use motion sensors to make it easy on your electric bill yet hard on them. At night, there is no way they will try and spend a lot of time trying to pick a lock when these lights are raining down upon them. It would be far easier to move on to a home where there was no lighting system in place.

4. Use a pet to your advantage. A dog roaming around your yard is one way to keep things in check outside. However, should a criminal make it past the dog (by entering through the other side, etc.), your defense will end there. Let your dog sleep inside the house, so even if you alarm and every other line of defense fails, you have your backup.

5. Install a safe. When you are thinking about your home security plan, you might end up forgetting what thieves are after in the first place. Think about it: What is valuable, easy to carry and hard to trace? That's right, it's money, so if you keep any large amount of it in your home, keep it in a safe. The same goes for paperwork which could prove valuable to an identity theft. Anything which could spell trouble should be locked away.