It is bewildering, but sometimes it seems as if there are as many ways to protect yourself against crime as there are criminals. While a huge number of antitheft products have hitthe market recently, no method is foolproof. Best advice? Combine the two most effective deterrents: noise and light. "You want to make it uncomfortable for a burglar," says Gerald O'Rourke, an independent security consultant in New York City and former deputy U.S. Marshal. "Criminals are looking for a target of opportunity. The more obstacles you put in their way, the more you're going to discourage them."

     Choose safety products that suit your life style and budget. If you are traveling this summer, here are some ways to insure the safety of your home, car and family.

Home Safe Home

     A 1993 report by the National Burglar and Fire Alarm Association showed that a home protected by an alarm is three times less likely to be burglarized than a home without one. But before you rig your house with a sophisticated alarm setup, learn the basic differences between the two available home-alarm systems: the often portable "wireless" version and a "hard-wired" one.

     Wireless products have earned their popularity on performance and price: from $20 to $1,000. These units, which mount easily on the wall, run on batteries or plug into wall outlets. Radio signals or infrared sensors detect sound (a window breaking), motion (someone tiptoeing in the front garden) or a change in air pressure (the opening of a window or door). Simple models sound alarms or flash lights; sophisticated units do both. Wireless products are also easy to find at hardware and drug stores, and from catalog companies.

In your search for the right protection:

* Look for systems that allow you to adjust sensitivity levels to suit your family's life style.
* If you live near a road with heavy traffic, avoid radio-signal systems. The high frequency radios in some trucks can trigger a false alarm.
* A low-battery indicator is useful.
* Even more practical is a "fail-safe" power feature--if the regular electricity source fails, a battery automatically takes over.
* Highly sensitive motion detectors are not suitable for households with a young child or an energetic dog.
* If your nearest neighbor lives far away, don't rely on a siren alarm system that might not be heard.
Wireless systems come in many designs and can be tailored to individual security requirements. Here are a few:

* A light timer can be programmed to turn lights on and off in different rooms at times you set.
* A device positioned along a driveway senses ground motion and sends a radio signal to a receiver inside the house, where a shrill alarm sounds.
* A system activates house lights in response to ground movement outside the house.

     On the other end of the investment spectrum are hard-wired systems. If you go this route, be prepared to spend up to $5,000. A skilled professional installs wires around windows and doors, and "system devices" detect a break-in. For maximum protection, have the entire house rigged. One benefit: A hard-wired system can be connected to a central monitoring station. When a warning signal is received, a dispatch is sent to your local police.

In the meantime, try these crimebuster alternatives:

* Exterior doors should be solid wood or metal and fit snugly in their frames. Install deadbolt locks and peepholes.
* Door safety chains break easily so don't rely on them.
* Jam the track of sliding glass doors with a thick wooden dowel.
* Prune shrubs so your house is visible from the street. Cut back all tree branches that provide access to upper-level windows and branches that droop to the ground creating a hiding place for a prowler.
* Maintain your lawn so your property looks occupied.
* Position entrance lights to illuminate a broad area, leaving no dark corners where a burglar can hide.
* Join your Neighborhood Watch Association: Volunteer residents patrol neighborhoods in cars and report suspicious activity to police via radio. Your police precinct or sheriff's department can refer you to the nearest association or show you how to start one.
* Get a barking dog, which security experts still consider one of the best defenses of all.

Guarding Your Car

     According to the FBI, thieves made off with over one and a half million automobiles in 1992. But your car doesn't have to become a statistic.

     You have essentially four ways to secure your vehicle: serial numbers etched into glass, a steering-wheel lock, an alarm and an immobilization system. A single antitheft device reduces the risk of theft, but several complementary systems ward off even the most ambitious car thief.

     As your least expensive effort, you can have your vehicle's serial number etched into its front windshield and passenger windows. A glass shop will do this for about $20. These clearly visible identification numbers have helped to prevent some thefts. Mostly, they help locate cars that have already been stolen.

     A detachable steering-wheel lock, (widely known as The Club) is another affordable deterrent at about $60. This device is most effective combined with other antitheft systems. (Seasoned criminals know how to cut through the steering wheel and release the lock.) Be sure to attach the lock so the driver can get in and out of the vehicle easily. Struggling with it from outside could put you at risk.

     Car alarms will take a bigger chunk out of your budget, so shop around before you buy. Urban dwellers may not want to rely solely on alarm systems because most people, including police, ignore them.

     Portable car alarms can be inserted into a cassette deck or attached to the dashboard or windshield. If you trade in your car every few years, your portable system can be used with each vehicle. Make sure you find one that cannot be dismantled by a thief. Price range: $80 to $200.

     Some alarm systems are wired to the car and therefore harder to disarm, but you'll pay for it--up to $500 for the unit and installation. Remember, when you sell the car, the alarm goes with it.

     An immobilization system, also referred to as a kill switch, is the preferred antitheft device. When the car is turned off, the line that carries power from the ignition to the engine is blocked. The on/off switch is hidden in a secret location inside the car. Sophisticated models are controlled by a personal code. Barebones models go for under $100; high-tech systems cost up to $500.

     Try to offset your investment through any auto insurance deductions you might have. Passive techniques like window etching can earn higher deductions while active devices such as the kill switch and steering-wheel lock receive lower ones. Ask your auto insurance agent for specific details.

In Self-Defense

     There are two main methods for self-protection. An aggressive technique requires use of a weapon. A more passive approach employs body alarms and plain common sense. Whichever you use, it's critical that you know how to act automatically and instinctively. Ask yourself: If I were attacked, could I aim directly at an assailant and spray a chemical substance? Could I activate a body alarm if I sensed danger nearby?

     The most popular personal safety spray on the market right now is cayenne-pepper spray, also known as oleoresin capsicum (OC). Many police departments recommend it over tear gas or mace. "It works faster, it is more effective against a drug-affected individual, and it is available in most states," explains Lori Kluber, personal safety expert in Potomac, Maryland. Contact with this substance causes temporary blindness, coughing, nausea and shortness of breath--immobilizing an assailant for 30 to 45 minutes. It is effective on 99 percent of the people it's used on.

     Some brands have an ultraviolet dye, which can aid in identifying an attacker later. A half-ounce unit costs less than $20 and has about 12 to 20 sprays. Try to:

* Find a canister with a safety cap.
* Test the spray mechanism regularly to make sure it works properly.
* Use it correctly--aim at your assailant; turn your face away to avoid self-contamination.

     Second in popularity are the small, portable alarms that attach to a belt or bag. The loud shrill of these alarms is designed to startle a would-be attacker, giving you time to escape. They operate on batteries and are lightweight. Buy them at department stores, drugstores and safety stores for $15 to $50. If you sense danger, call attention to yourself by turning the alarm on and off.

Police urge everyone to remember these commonsense safety steps:

* Approach your car with keys in hand. If necessary, use them as a defense weapon.
* If you're going from the store to your car and you see someone who looks suspicious, ask the mall or store security personnel for an escort.
* When concerned for your safety, yell "Fire," "No" or "Stop." These words are effective cries for help. Teach your children to say, "You're not my Mom [Dad]."
* Be aware of your surroundings. Keep your head up and look around. Carry yourself with confidence and purpose. Most criminals are looking for an easy target. A self-defense device can increase your confidence factor so you'll never have to use it.

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