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Locking your doors and windows at night or when you leave may seem obvious, but you might be surprised by how often thieves and other criminals gain access to homes by simply entering through unlocked doors. Even if you are only leaving your home for a short time, the habit of locking all entries is one that can save you from the horrible experience of a break in. Outside lighting can be just as effective at deterring burglars as expensive security systems. You should ensure that your doors are kept well lit at all times. When an intruder sees that invading your home will put him or her in the spotlight, they probably will not bother with your property. Outdoor lighting systems are only effective when they are in good repair, though, so make sure you change light bulbs when necessary and test them periodically.

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For example, LifeShield's Security Essentials system will cost you $29. 99 per month for three years and includes monitoring, but you'll pay a $99 activation fee and you don't own the equipment at the end of the lease. Or, you can pay $299. 99 upfront for the hardware and still get monitoring but avoid the activation fee. If you live in a small apartment and want to keep tabs on things when you're not home, a security camera can get the job done for a lot less money than what you'll pay for a full security system. Nearly all standalone security cameras connect to your home's Wi Fi so you can see what's going on from your phone or tablet, and most have built in sensors that detect motion and sound and will send push and email notifications when those sensors are triggered. You can usually tweak the camera's motion sensitivity to prevent false alarms due to pet activity or passing cars if the camera is near a window, and you can create a schedule that turns the sensors on and off during certain hours of the day. A smart lock is typically part of a robust smart home security setup, but you don't have to invest in a full blown system to use one. If you're using a home automation hub to control things like lighting and thermostats, you can add a Z Wave or Zigbee smart lock to the system without much effort. Alternately, if you don't have a home automation hub, look for a Wi Fi or Bluetooth lock that comes with its own mobile app. Smart locks use standard pre drilled holes and are fairly easy to install.