California is more than just one of the most internationally recognized of the United States. Although Hollywood, the film industry, as well as a plethora of reality television shows all contribute to the rest of the world's perception of this state, California is also a place that many people call home. As a California resident you may spend most of your time working in one of the state's major cities, but when it comes time to relax you prefer to visit your private beach vacation home. Whether your are at your regular or vacation home, it's wise that you consider home security before leaving one property for another.

Before anything else, it's important that you take the right precautions in protecting your regular home. Of course, having two properties is no easy investment to manage, but if you lay the foundation of security in this home, doing so for your second property will be a breeze. Making sure that doors and windows are in good condition, meaning that they are able to be securely locked, is important for both of your properties. Especially since the majority of home invasions occur because a door or window was left unlocked, this is one step you cannot afford to forget.

Another wise home security measure to take before heading off to you vacation home is letting a neighbor or good friend know that you will be out of town. It's even better if you and your neighbors have set up a crime prevention group in the neighborhood. Such a group is extremely beneficial, not to mention valuable to the community's well being. If each neighbor looks out the others, just imagine how much safer the neighborhood can be. Not only will such a group benefit you when you decide to visit your beach vacation home, the community as a whole will be all the more safe.

And for the ultimate surveillance of both your vacation and regular home, you should install a camera and home alarm system in each location. With the latest video surveillance technologies, you have the ability to record footage in one location and view it in another. For example, you can set up cameras in both homes, but enable the video monitors to display the footage from opposite locations so you can keep an eye out for your properties no matter where you are staying. And of course having an alarm is the most basic, yet proficient means to detecting intruders.

Whether lounging around your luxurious beach vacation home or returning home after a long day of work in the city, taking the appropriate home security measures is important in maintaining the safety of your home, not to mention your family as well. Fortunately properly equipping your properties is more or less the same regardless of its location. With functioning door and window locks, as well as a shared initiative to prevent crime in the neighborhood, you're on your way to creating a safe environment. And with a camera and alarm system, your properties will be protected at all times.