Myth: Crime is mostly a big-city problem.
Fact: It's true that the incidence of household burglary is lower in suburbs and rural areas, where about 2 percent of households are victims of robbery or attempted robbery. But even in urban areas the rate of burglary is low, at just under 4 percent.

Myth: Most robberies happen at night.
Fact: More than 60 percent of residential break-ins happen during the day. So take extra precautions if someone is home — lock doors, and make it obvious that your house is occupied. Thieves have been known to slip quickly in and out of a house while the owners are outside working in the yard, often with a door left open.

Myth: A key hidden outside is safe enough if it's hidden well.
Fact: "Burglars know where to look for keys hidden outside," says Pittsburgh police officer Cynthia Harper. Leave your extra key with a neighbor you trust, not under the artificial rock that doesn't even fool your dog.