All residences are vulnerable when the owners are away for an extended period. Although Florida’s crime rate has been steadily dropping, you can’t rely on the goodness of your fellow Floridians. Your property still needs adequate protection. Use these 10 security devices and other precautions to keep your home secure when you aren’t there.

1. Invest in a Monitored Security System

No home is fully protected without a monitored security system. Today’s home security companies offer 24/7 surveillance with cameras, motion detectors and other devices. Ensure your package includes mobile alerts. The company will notify you on your cellphone If the devices spot any suspicious activity, enabling you to act quickly.

Here are some home security systems you should consider:

• Xfinity Home

• Simplisafe

• ADT

• Cove

• Vivint

• Frontpoint

The more interactive features the system has, the better. If you’re away from home for weeks or months, you must have multiple lines of communication with the security company.

2. Hide Your Valuables

Leaving random items around the house is an invitation to thieves. You must hide your valuables so your home doesn’t become an attractive target. Many people place their laptops and jewelry in safes or hidden compartments. It’s also a good idea to put them in rooms that burglars are unlikely to search, such as an unfinished basement or dusty attic.

Most Florida homes also have outdoor valuables, such as lawn furniture and pool accessories. You can attach your lawn chairs to the ground with steel cables and bike locks. Put the other loose items away. If you’re leaving a vehicle behind, consider taking it to a storage facility for safekeeping.

3. Stay in Touch With Neighbors

Home security doesn’t have to fall entirely on your shoulders. Ask your neighbors for help if you trust them. They can keep an eye on your property and call you if they notice anything suspicious. A generous neighbor can also take care of your houseplants, collect your mail and keep up the appearance that someone is home.

Active neighbors are a criminal’s worst nightmare. Even if your house has weak spots, a thief can’t exploit them with people watching. Plus, you can hack cameras, motion detectors and other electronic devices, but you can’t hack neighbors.

4. Use Motion-Activated Floodlights

Floodlights are crucial parts of home security. Most burglaries occur at night under cover of darkness, so you must keep your house illuminated. Floodlights can cover vast landscapes, leaving intruders with nowhere to hide. Plus, they draw lots of attention. Your neighbors and anyone else nearby will see the suspect in plain sight.

However, you must install the lights strategically to maximize their potential. Put a handful of motion-activated floodlights around your property’s most vulnerable areas so they cover as much ground as possible.

5. Install a Video Doorbell

Video doorbells are one of the hottest security devices on the market today. They’ve captured many viral videos of intrusions and other front-door altercations in recent years. They have also prevented an untold number of burglaries. Criminals see the cameras and know they won’t get through the front door unseen, so they look for another target.

6. Replace Your Old Locks

Door locks are the final line of defense in home security. You’d better hope your locks are strong If a criminal bypasses the cameras and floodlights. Replace your old ones with heavy-duty deadbolts on every door in your home. Intruders can’t force the bolt back into the door because it locks into place and can’t be moved by force — hence the name.

7. Tint Your Windows

Windows provide additional entry points and allow burglars to inspect the interior before breaking in. They can scope out the floor plans, identify valuable items and see if anyone is home. You can prevent these problems by applying tints to your windows to distort visibility from the outside in high-traffic areas like the garage and front windows.

8. Add a Sensor to Every Entrance

What happens if someone breaks into your house without setting off any alarms? You need some indoor devices to identify their presence. Add a sensor to every entrance a few steps inside, which will automatically trigger an alarm if anyone opens a door or window from the outside. Just make sure to reset the alarms before you leave the house.

9. Hire a Cleaning or Landscaping Service

If you really want to create the appearance that you’re still home, hire a cleaning or landscaping service. A well-maintained home is less attractive to criminals than a neglected one. Plus, the constant human activity around your house will scare burglars away. They won’t dare to test their luck with a landscaping or cleaning crew walking around.

10. Be Smart on Social Media

You must be smart on social media. Don’t discuss your travel plans, property layout or other personal details. Social media is a great resource for burglars to discover which homeowners aren’t around. One revealing tweet or Facebook post can jeopardize your home’s security. Stay quiet and don’t post anything related to your location.

Home Security Is a Constant Effort

Many homeowners think their houses are safe once they add a few cameras and floodlights, but this false assumption has led to thousands of preventable break-ins. Never assume your home is 100% secure. Home security goes beyond a handful of electronics — it’s a constant effort requiring you to make smart decisions every day.