When choosing a home security provider, ensure that the costs will work for your budget. You’ll have to consider any equipment and professional monitoring costs. With some providers, you may have to pay for equipment upfront, while with others you may be able to pay a monthly fee.

When researching providers, you’ll also want to look at the equipment offered as well as for any unique features. With most providers, you’ll get the essentials like a base station, motion sensors and signage. Be on the lookout for additional equipment like smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, security cameras and others if you want to create a more robust package.

As you’ll find with most home security providers, you’ll be able to select a professional monitoring plan. With 24/7 professional monitoring, this means that a professional is available to assist you at any time of day in the event of an emergency. In most cases, you’ll have to pay an additional monthly fee for professional monitoring.

Keep an eye on your home while you’re gone with video surveillance. You’ll find that many providers have security camera options you can choose from to include indoor cameras, outdoor cameras and even video doorbell cameras. Two great features that often come with these cameras are activity-notifications, meaning you’ll be notified if activity is detected, and two-way communication which allows you to speak with visitors, family members or even pets while you’re away.

Smart home devices not only help you to shave away time spent on menial tasks, but they can also help to enhance your home’s security. Smart door locks and garage door controllers are two types of home automation devices that can help you avoid security issues. With smart door locks, you can remotely lock or unlock your door, and with a garage door controller, you could open and or close your garage door remotely.

In Houston, package theft has become more common. One way to help identify “porch pirates” is with a security camera. The Houston Chronicle reports that “package thefts have increased in the city by 80 percent since 2015, when HPD started tracking the crime.” In an attempt to prevent package theft yet also allow you to capture what’s happening, look for security camera options when researching providers. Two types to consider are outdoor cameras and video doorbell cameras. Most outdoor cameras are designed to endure varying weather conditions and come with two-way communication so you’ll not only be able to see who’s outside your home, but you can also speak to them. Look for HD resolution and night vision as two features so you’ll be able to see clearly during the day as well as view your property at night.

Historically, Houston has been known to experience flooding. NBC News shares a few factors that contribute to easy flooding in the city: (1) low elevation and (2) population growth. With the number of people moving to the city and less natural land, water run-off is easier to occur. When you’re considering home security systems, one feature you should look for is hazard monitoring. Many providers have a selection of hazard monitoring products like smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, freeze detectors and also leak/flooding detectors. If you choose a package that allows you to have a leak/flood sensor, this device could help you to avoid damage to your home.

Create a safer and smarter home with the help of smart home devices. Given the number of property crime incidents reported by the FBI in 2016, with smart home devices, you can enhance your security. Since different places in Houston are not as easily accessible on foot, if you own a vehicle and have a garage, you won’t have to be concerned about forgetting to close the door with a garage door controller. Another smart home device that can enhance your safety is a smart light bulb. With smart lights, you can make it appear as if someone is home in the evenings to prevent break-ins. You can also return to a well-lit home without physically having to flick any switches when you walk in the door.