Keeping your home and family protected in San Francisco, CA has never been more challenging - or more important. Whether it is the burglar who robs your house while you are enjoying a great vacation or the mugger who decides to relieve you of your new iPhone, you never know when you will become a victim of crime.

Fortunately, there are some things you can do to protect your home, your possessions and your loved ones. These tips can help you keep your home safe whether you are at home, out running errands or vacationing at the beach.

#1 - Stop Oversharing on Facebook

Some of the biggest dangers to your home in San Francisco, CA are technological rather than physical. You might be anxious to share all the details of your upcoming vacation or after-work plans, but oversharing could leave your home vulnerable to thieves and other criminals.

The problem with social media is you never know who might be watching. There have been a number of troubling security breaches in the online world, and you do not want to leave yourself vulnerable. So feel free to share your vacation memories with all your Facebook friends and Twitter followers; just do it after you are safely back home.

#2 - Look at Your Home with the Eyes of a Thief

It may not be easy to put yourself in the shoes of a criminal, but it is important to try. Not everyone is as law-abiding as you are, and seeing your home from the thief's point of view can help you protect your property.

Take a walk around the exterior of your home in San Francisco, CA and look for weak spots a burglar could exploit to gain entry. From the basement window you forgot to lock to the overgrown shrub in the back yard, what you find might surprise you.

#3 - Install Some Security Cameras

The very presence of security cameras can be enough to send a would-be thief scurrying to greener pastures. Security cameras and surveillance systems are now affordable for the average homeowner, so there is no reason not to add them to your landscape.

As you do your home security audit, take a few minutes to look for prime security camera locations. Installing cameras in dark corners or locations not visible from the road can keep you protected and make burglars think twice before stopping by.

#4 - Consider a Wireless Security System

Old-fashioned home security systems in San Francisco, CA suffered from a number of dangerous drawbacks. The security system had to be hard-wired into the home, and it was impossible to take it with you when you moved. Monthly monitoring contracts were often costly and difficult to cancel, and dealing with the security system personnel could be a big hassle.

Worst of all, those wired security systems could be defeated in just a matter of minutes. Savvy burglars knew that all they had to do to foil the system was cut the phone line to which it was connected.

Wireless security systems do not suffer from those problems, and they are quickly becoming the standard for home protection. When you install a wireless home security system in San Francisco, CA, you can take it with you when you move, making it a good choice for renters as well as homeowners. The contracts for wireless home security also tend to be less costly and less restrictive. The technology behind these systems keeps improving as well; you can even arm your system using your smartphone or lock your doors remotely.

Nothing can keep your home totally safe, but taking a few common-sense steps can deter all but the most committed thief. Criminals are lazy and cautious by nature; if they think your home is too tough a target, they will quickly move on to a less secure property.