When considering home security, one can easily envision security throughout one's property. Beginning at the driveway and moving on to garages and out buildings, there are several points of concern and interest. But, it is the house with which we are most concerned. After all, this where our most prized possessions are found - our loved ones.

Security for one's house begins on the exterior. Here the idea is to prevent a home invasion in the first place. This can be accomplished in several ways. For instance adequate lighting, particularly at obvious points of entry (doors and windows) is important. Burglars are looking for seclusion and lights eliminate that. In some instances, where lights are not a real option (like around many windows), landscaping may help deter entrance. Instead of making you landscaping a place to hide, make it a deterrent by making windows inaccessible (even using plants that have pointy leaves or barbs, like hollies or barberry).

Another exterior deterrent is signs of a security system. That may literally be a sign for a monitoring security service that is installed in your home. It may also be mounted security cameras. Sometimes just the appearance of such is sufficient. "Dummy" cameras are available for the very purpose of fooling potential burglars.

A home security system is the next consideration. These systems may be as elaborate or simple as one chooses. At the very least these systems can provide alarms when doors and/or windows are opened while the system is activated. Of course, these systems provide the means for normal passage through doors while the system is active as well.

If entrance is gained without activating the alarm, motion detectors/sensors can be strategically placed throughout the house and will activate the alarm and alert the monitoring service (if such is in place). These sensors come in a variety of types utilizing a variety of technologies.

One final concern for security at the level of your house is the protection of valuables. The low-tech approach is to keep valuables hidden. This can be done effectively, but is not adequate for all valuables. A home safe is another option.