Have you ever been in bed, or away from home, when that question suddenly comes to mind? If you're in bed, you have to get up and check the lock or you won't be able to fall asleep. If you're away from home, the nagging question distracts you until you get back.

One technique that can reduce, and possibly eliminate, that worry is to always keep the doors and windows of your home locked. Obviously a window you've opened for air won't be locked, but as soon as you close it, lock it. The same goes for doors: when you close a door, lock it.

Over time you will build the habit and the muscle memory that locking the door is just part of closing it, and you will lock your doors and windows “automatically”.

By Kris Quinby