Burglar-Proof Your Home, Yourself

If you're heading out of town on vacation and you can't afford a built-in security system to protect your house, there are some simple do-it-yourself ideas that can save you money and your belongings at the same time.

Summer is when break-ins happen, "Early Show" consumer correspondent Susan Koeppen said Friday, with a spike in July and August.

Defender PHOENIX1 Wireless Video Security System with Portable LCD Monitor and Indoor/Outdoor Night Vision Surveillance Camera
(Black)-$130 additional add-on camera is $60
It's a camera that you can mount anywhere in your home and watch the action on a hand-held device. It has pretty good range. When you are out of the house, you can plug this into a VCR and record the action.

Vue personal video network
$300
A wire-free video system that provides remoted viewing through their secure Web site. The product was launched in March with pre-orders, and starts to ship at the end of August and September.

Southwest Specialty Products 60001S Book Safe
$13
Instead of just putting your jewels and cash in the bottom of the sock drawer, this safe actually goes into the drawer.

Southwest Specialty Products 30007C Barbasol Can Safe
$8

GE SmartHome Door Stop Alarm
$10
You set it up near any entrance. Someone opens the door, and it will sound an alarm. It's good to scare someone away if you are out of town, and they walk into your house.

Intermatic Lamp and Appliance Timer with 2 on/off settings
$10
If you don't want to deal with alarms and safes and you don't want to spend a lot of money, this is the device for you. You plug in your lamps, set them to come on at a certain time, such as after dinner, and it looks like someone is at home with the lights on.