When you own a home, you have a lot of things to worry about: making the mortgage payments, keeping up with all of the repairs and maintenance that is needed…it’s a tough task. One of the things you shouldn’t have to worry about, though, are burglaries.

If you don’t take the proper precautions, thieves could find your home an easy target. But today’s thieves are a lot smarter than those in the past, so it’ll take more that posting a sign that your house has an alarm system, or leaving your porch light on. There are some newer technologies that can help you fight off would-be criminals before they even have a chance to enter your home. Here are a few essential pieces that can protect you and your family.

Security Cameras

If you want total peace of mind for when you’re home and away, security cameras may be your best bet.

You can set security cameras to record in many different intervals — all day, whenever you leave the house or even at specific times of the day — so you can see what’s going on around your house whenever you want. Cameras like these can also be set to start recording when they sense motion, so you can use them in conjunction with security lights to possibly identify any would-be burglars. You can find plenty of great cameras at this website.

Camera Doorbells

With the advance of mobile, interconnected technologies, home security companies have found new ways to protect your home from burglaries. One of the coolest things is a camera doorbell.

These systems work by connecting your mobile devices (smartphones, tablets) with your doorbell. When someone rings the doorbell, the camera automatically turns on and sends live video to your device. This way, you can see who is at your door, whether you’re home or not.

This is effective because some thieves will ring your doorbell and then, when no one answers, proceed to break in. With a camera doorbell system, you can answer and turn them away from anywhere, making them think that the house is occupied. You can also turn the camera on whenever you want remotely, just to check up on things, too.

Motion Sensor Lighting

Would-be thieves use the darkness to their advantage, hiding in the shadows in case someone passes by. For This reason, bright lights are a great deterrent, and having automated spotlights will make any thief think twice.

If you have a large backyard or a yard that has a lot of cover — bushes, shrubs, trees — for a would be thieve to hide in, you want to make sure to have a motion light installed in that area. When a person gets near the light, it will automatically turn on, flooding your yard with light. Chances are, the thief will think twice about approaching your house any closer.

Using modern technology to secure your home is a great way to deter thieves and protect your family.