Now, take another look at the how a burglar may look at your house.  The hedges grow half way up the front windows. They think, great cover.  The porch light shines over the door, but shadows remain everywhere else.  The sides of the house are dark, and there are no lights on when you go to sleep. 

Some criminals will even scout your home over a period of days, and weeks.  They will also observe or case your house at different times of the day and night to see what type of routine you may have, who lives in the house, are there any pets, obvious alarm systems and security lights.  

If they spot an opening, such as an hour when no one is home on a consistent basis, they will rob your house. 

This can all be avoided if you take the time to look at your house through the eyes of someone who may want to rob it.  Cut the hedges, Add sensor security lights that go on when motion is detected, put lights on a timer and stagger the settings, change your routine if you can and research and invest on a good home security system.  There are many DIY systems as well as professionally installed and monitored services that will provide peace of mind and a secure home.