Living solo gives young adults the independence they crave. For seniors, the desire to stay independent and in their home is just as strong. No matter the age, those who live alone need to take precautions to keep safe.

Stay Connected. Keep your family and friends up to date on your activities so someone always has an idea of where you should be.

Be Friendly With Your Neighbors. Get to know those living around you. Discuss neighborhood security, exchange phone numbers and watch out for each other. If a neighbor sees something suspicious at your home, they’ll know how to reach you.

Add Motion Sensor Lights. Burglars like to work in darkness. Motion sensor lighting will scare most would-be burglars away.

Install A Smart Doorbell. With a smart doorbell, there is no reason to open your door to a stranger. You can see and talk to who is at your door through a camera in the doorbell. With their live streaming feature, you can interact with whoever is at your door even if you are not at home.

Mount Indoor and Outdoor Security Cameras. Easily visible outdoor security cameras can not only capture illegal activity, but can also act as a burglary/vandalism deterrent. Most thieves don’t want to be caught on camera. Cameras inside the home can catch burglars in the act. Prices for these systems have come down dramatically. Good systems are available for under $200.

Subscribe to 24/7 Security Monitoring. Most sophisticated security camera systems come with optional 24/7 professional security monitoring. Costs run as low as $10 a month.