Without a doubt, everyone wants to feel safe and secure in their own home. Thanks to technology, securing your home is easier than ever.

There are a variety of ways to get your property covered, and give you peace of mind.

ALARM SYSTEM
One way to consider for securing your home is installing an alarm system. Alarm systems with sound have proven to be highly effective in burglary cases. According to a study conducted at the University of North Carolina – Charlotte, 60% of the criminals questioned say the sound of an alarm deters them from further entering the home. And knowing so many homes go without them, they are likely to retreat and find a home without one to target instead.  Within the study, less than 14% of the burglars say they will continue with the attempt even with the sound of an alarm.

There are several options for an alarm system available depending on your needs and budget.  You may choose to have one professionally installed with 24-hour professional monitoring included in a subscription with companies like ADT, SimpliSafe & Vivant. Another option is to purchase self-installation equipment with self-monitoring from your phone, tablet, and even on your TV. Cox Communications, the Ring Doorbell, Google Nest, and several other DIY systems are available.

LIGHTING
Aside from an alarming sound, lighting is one of the most effective deterrents for criminals. Just like criminals are likely to retreat at the sound of an alarm, the presence of light can also make them rethink targeting your home.  There are several ways in which you can use light to keep your home safe and secure: 

Install Motion-Activated Lights. One way to take trespassers and potential burglars by surprise as they attempt to enter the house is to shine the light on them with motion-activated lights. These lights can be purchased online or at your local hardware store. 

Leave a Light On.It's always a good idea to avoid the appearance of an empty house; otherwise, you could be setting your home up to be a criminal's target. One way to hint that someone is home is by leaving a light on.  Look into timers and programable lighting to control energy consumption.

Upgrade Your Porch Lights.Leaving the porch light on is another hint that someone is home. Knowing that someone could spot them if they tried to enter the house is also a deterrent for criminals. There are several options for automatic porch lights, so you don't even have to worry about forgetting to turn them on or off. 

LOCKS
One of the more obvious security measures is to ensure that everything is locked. Double-check that every door is locked — from the front to the back and the side. And make sure your garage door is fully closed as well.  Don't forget about the windows!

Adding a deadbolt lock will add extra protection. Although they've been around for a while, they remain one of the most effective ways to keep your home safe from break-ins. And with today's smart home monitoring systems, you can lock and unlock your deadbolts automatically with remote controls.