FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — If you want to burglar-proof your home, police have two words for you: defensive shrubbery.

Bushes, trees and vines help beautify your yard, but can also be used to deter — or aid — a criminal. Boca Raton Police Officer Gwynne Friters surveys homes to help residents figure out how they can maximize security and minimize risk. Sometimes homeowners are told to replace doors, locks or windows. But the two most important factors are landscaping and lighting.

Police call it "crime prevention through environmental design," but the principles are simple. Increase visibility throughout your yard, limit access to your property and eliminate hiding spots. Plants should be short enough to see over, trees tall enough to deter someone climbing and exterior lighting bright enough to keep a home well lit at night.

On one survey in the Boca Square neighborhood, Friters focused on plant heights. She pointed to a bougainvillea on the side of the home. It was beautiful, but it blocked the view from the road.

"We recommend that all bushes be shortened to 2-foot or 3-foot heights," she told the homeowner. "We don't want someone hiding behind your bushes."

Here are some tips most police departments offer:

n Trim trees — You want to keep your bushes (including hedges) trimmed to 2 or 3 feet tall. Taller bushes provide burglars good hiding spots. In addition, police recommend the first 7 feet of branches be pruned to prevent someone from climbing to an attic or second floor.

Also, you don't want your bushes or trees to obscure your view of your yard.

n Protect windows — Friters said to deter break-ins, you can plant thorny bushes under windows. Bougainvillea, barberries and roses work well. Using gravel stones under windows eliminates a criminal's ability to silently prowl near your house. Anyone who walks on those will make a loud crunching noise with each step.

n Shine light — Friters recommends residents install motion-activated floodlights in out-of-reach places around their homes. She said lights scare away burglars and alert homeowners to potential problems outside. Just make sure they're installed so no one can tamper with them.

n Get a survey — Most police departments have free survey programs for homes and businesses. Just ask for the department's crime prevention folks.

Officers also look at a wide range of security issues during these evaluations, including doors, locks, windows and garages. To set up an evaluation, call your local police department.

1. Stack woodpiles at least 30 feet from any structure.2. Locate LPG tanks at least 30 feet from any structure; maintain 10 feet of clear space around tanks.3. Keep the following tools ready and handy: a round point shovel with a long handle, a rake with a long handle, a ladder tall enough to reach the roof, one or more 5-pound fire extinguishers, at least one bucket, a garbage can full of water with a bailing bucket.4. Keep driveway clear and accessible to fire engines. Remember, they are twice as big as a car.5. Make sure your number is clearly visible from the road. Use 4- to 6-inch reflective numbers to mark your address.6. Locate all fire hydrants in your neighborhood.7. Never prune near power lines. Call your local utility company first.8. Landscape with fire resistant plants.9. Maintain all plants by regular watering and by removing dead branches, leaves and needles.10. Landscaping should be spaced so that fire has no clear path to burn up to the house or nearby plantings.<b>Sources: California Fire Safe Council, Shasta County Fire Safe Council, Firesafe Monterrey, Firesafe Monterrey, Northern California Resource Center</b>