If you live in a safe neighborhood, or if you have a dog, you may not feel the need for a security system. But nobody is immune it burglary or vandalism. Typically when a home invasion occurs, the victims “never thought something like this” would happen to them. To best protect your valuables—and more importantly, your family—you should invest in a quality home security system. Is it really necessary though?

A Rutgers study found that as the number of home security systems increase in any given area, the number of residential burglaries decreased, even for people who didn’t have their own security system! Installing a security system yourself could deter criminals from attempting to rob you or your neighbors, making your neighborhood safer overall.

Most modern security systems allow you to remotely monitor what’s happening in your home while you’re away. You may be able to monitor what happens using cameras installed throughout your home. Additionally, you can use these systems to control your thermostat, door locks, lights, and more.

This may be one of the most beneficial part of installing a home security system. Having such a system in your home can lower your homeowner’s insurance by as much as 20%. In addition to protecting your valuables, this makes a home security system a worthwhile and money-saving investment.

Not only will your home and valuables be well protected, but having an efficient home security system will give you confidence that your home has extra defense against potential intruders. Most home owners would argue that peace of mind and sense of security may be the most important reason for anyone to invest in a quality home security system.