OK, to be honest, I almost instantaneously deleted this tidbit that I found in my junk mailbox.  This is one of those mass emails I got from my good intentioned friend who floods my inbox weekly with forwards (I think it is her way of staying in touch and saying “I’m thinking about you”).   Surprisingly, the info in this email is actually useful.  Here it is:

“Put your car keys beside your bed at night. If you hear a noise outside your home or someone trying to get in your house, just press the panic button for your car. The alarm will be set off and the horn will continue to sound until either you turn it off or the car battery dies. It works if you park in your driveway or garage.

If your car alarm goes off when someone is trying to break in your house, odds are the burglar or rapist won't stick around. After a few seconds all the neighbors will be looking out their windows to see who is out there and sure enough the criminal won't want that.

And, remember to carry your keys while walking to your car in a parking lot. The alarm can work the same way there. This is something that should really be shared with everyone.”

Think of this: It's a security alarm system that you already have and requires no installation. I tested it--it will go off from almost anywhere inside your house. I've started putting my car keys on my dresser beside my bed.  I’ll pull out my keys on the way to my car in those circumstances that require it.  If it can prevent me from getting robbed, then what do I have to lose?