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Around the end of World War I, homeowners hired “door shakers” to walk around and check doors to make sure they were locked.

Home security is just a little bit different now.

Thanks to a perfect storm of expanding technology and decreasing costs, homeowners now have access to the types of tools and systems that previously only celebrities and the wealthy could obtain.

Here’s a rundown of some of the options you have to protect your home, from all-in-one systems to separate components for do-it-yourselfers:

Full Home Security Systems There are a number of companies that offer full-service security systems with central monitoring. These systems often include video surveillance, remote access, smoke and carbon monoxide detection and even medical alerts in case you have an emergency. Some include home automation tools so you can control lighting, heating, cooling and other appliances when you’re away from home.

Many systems can also send you alerts via text message so you know the kids are home from school safely, for example.

Smart Cameras Installing cameras used to mean dealing with bulky equipment and yards of wiring. Today, however, newer cameras are unobtrusive, wireless and capable of much more than ever before. Some even use motion activation, so they only record when there’s a reason to in order to save data storage space and battery power.

Keyless Entry Systems Even items as basic as the locks on your doors are starting to be impacted — and improved — by technology. You might not think you need an entry system that relies on a code or a smartphone, but it can come in handy at times. Say, for example, you need to let a trusted repairman into your home while you’re away, but you don’t want to risk hiding a key outside. With a keyless system (or a hybrid version that uses both keys and codes), you simply provide a temporary code for the repairman to use.

Home Automation Have you ever forgotten to leave a light on while you’re away? Burglars thrive in the dark, and having lights on both inside and outside your home, along with noise from televisions, radios, etc., can be powerful deterrents. Thankfully, you can now turn these things on and off from anywhere in the world. It doesn’t take much to get started. At least one home automation product plugs into the power outlets you already have. You can then control that outlet’s power remotely through a smartphone app.

Of course, there are still some low-tech tools and techniques you can use to deter crime, including motion-activated lighting outside. Don’t leave valuables out in plain sight, and make sure your windows and doors are locked each night. Plus, there’s always the security system that will love you back: a watchdog.

However, if high-tech is more your style and you’re into gadgets, you might find that getting set up with the latest in home security is fun. And, if you’re into saving money, many insurance carriers offer home insurance discounts for having specific home monitoring systems. Check your policy or ask an agent for details.

With summer in full force, you may be coming down with a serious case of pool envy, obsessed with having a pool right outside your door for cooling off and entertaining friends.  A swimming pool can increase the value of your home, but will it also increase your homeowners insurance rate?

Before you dive in and add a pool to your property or buy a new home that already has one, here are three important things to keep in mind.

1. Anytime you have an increase in property value or risk, you may need to increase your insurance coverage too.

A pool increases your exposure to risk. You could be on the line for medical bills and other damages if people get hurt in or around your pool, even if they weren’t invited over for a swim. At the same time, a pool increases the value of your property. Your homeowners insurance needs to reflect both the increased value and risk of a pool, and you may want the added protection of an umbrella policy.

2. Safety measures aren’t just nice to have. They may be required.

Your town, municipality or insurance company may require a fence and locked gate for your pool and even have specific guidelines on the height of that fence. If your house opens directly into the pool area, you may also consider a door alarm and safety cover to keep pets, children and other non-swimmers safe.

3. Pool equipment, furniture and accessories increase the value of your personal belongings.

Be sure to include any pool- or patio-related items of value when you add up how much your personal belongings are worth, and ensure you have enough coverage on your homeowners insurance policy. Keep in mind that per-item limits may apply, meaning the maximum amount payable on a single item is capped. If, for example, you have an expensive outdoor sound system, you may want to check the per-item limit for electronics. Expanded coverage is often available for high-value items.

Above all, pose question after question to your independent insurance agent. Against which risks is damage to my pool covered? Is the pump covered too and under what circumstances?

Working closely with an insurance agent is one of the best ways to fully understand how a pool may affect your homeowners insurance rates. Your agent can help you find the right balance of coverages for your specific situation and help ensure your relaxing oasis isn’t an unmanageable risk.

Independence Day truly kicks summer off into high gear.  It is a holiday that has something for everyone, whether you like backyard barbecues, getting out into the water, or just hanging out at home and watching the fireworks light up the sky after sunset.

As you celebrate America this year, however, keep safety in mind — those fireworks aren’t the only holiday staple that can be dangerous.

Along with using plenty of sunblock and staying hydrated, follow these tips to help ensure that you, your loved ones and your friends all have a great Fourth.

Food Safety

Whether you’re hosting a gathering or attending one, you’ll want to make sure the food you’re serving — and eating — is safe. The following U.S. Department of Agriculture guidelines can help:

• Cook food thoroughly. Steaks, chops and roasts (beef, pork or lamb) should have a minimum internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit before being removed from the heat source. Ground meats need to be at 160 degrees and poultry at 165.      
• Keep hot food hot and cold food cold. You can keep cooked meats warm by placing them to the side of the grill rack, in a warm oven or in a chafing dish. Place dishes holding cold foods on ice.      
• Bringing food to the party? Use an insulated cooler with ice or ice packs to minimize the growth of bacteria.

On the Road

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the July 4 holiday period ranks as the nation’s deadliest in terms of people killed by drunk drivers. So, if you’re heading somewhere to enjoy the fireworks or just driving to a friend’s get-together, plan ahead: Have a designated driver or don’t drink at all.

On the Water

Spending the holiday on a boat? Lucky you. Just make sure all the equipment is operating properly and that you have the right supplies on board. Here are two more recommendations from the Coast Guard:

• If you’re driving the boat, don’t drink or use drugs. That should go without saying, but it’s still a problem — alcohol use is involved in about a third of all recreational boating deaths.      
• Everyone needs a life jacket. A boat needs a Coast Guard-approved life jacket for each person aboard. Kids need their own — adult-sized jackets will not work for them.

Fireworks

Thousands of people are hurt each year by fireworks. In the month around the July 4 holiday, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, 240 people go to the emergency room daily with a fireworks-related injury. Don’t be one of them.

• Find a safe place, and be prepared. Always have a bucket of water or a garden hose at the ready. And, never point fireworks at a person, animal, home, tree or car.      
• Make sure adults are present. Kids should never play with fireworks.      
• Don’t stand too close. The most injured body parts in fireworks accidents are the hands and fingers (36 percent), head, face and ears (22 percent) and eyes (16 percent), the commission says. All are pretty important, don’t you think?

While these tips are great, perhaps the best thing about them is this: You can follow them and still have a wonderful holiday with family and friends. Here’s to America — and to you!

We all get busy with daily our daily lives and before you know it a year or more has slipped by without you giving your insurance coverage a second thought.

You pay your premiums and talk with your agent when a claim or need arises, other than that you assume all is well with your policies.  But, what if it's not?

There are many life changes that should prompt you to call your insurance agent.  For example, you may need to remove a driver from your auto policy or add additional coverage to your homeowner's policy.

Even if you adjust your coverage as some of these changes occur, you will likely only catch others by scheduling an annual review with your insurance agent.  Below are a few questions you should be prepared to address:

1. What have I Added or Updated Around My Home?  Did you add on to your home or remodel?  How about adding a pool or finishing a basement?  All of these examples increase the value of your home and how much it would cost to rebuild it.  You should update your insurance coverage to reflect not only the new home value but also any new risks.

2. What Has Changed With My Vehicles or Drivers?  Are you driving longer or shorter distances to work?  Is the vehicle you previously used for commuting now sitting in your garage more often than not?  It's a good idea to re-examine this annually to ensure you have the exact coverage you want - not too little and not too much.

3. What Significant Purchases Have I Made?  Did you invest in a home automation system or a high-end leather couch?  What about new piece of jewelry?  If the value of your personal belongings has increased significantly, you'll want to check whether your homeowners or renters insurance still provides enough coverage.  If not, you can likely purchase additional coverage for specific items or possibly groups of items.  Otherwise, if a costly item is lost, damaged or stolen, you may find yourself needing to replace it with a lower-cost version.

4.  What Is New Within My Family?  Did someone leave for college?  Are more people now driving your motorcycle?  These are things you will also need to discuss with your insurance agent.

5. Are there Any Discounts for Which I Now Qualify?  Doing things such as adding a security system to your home or driving your car less may help you gain discounts you didn't qualify for when you first purchased your policy. 

Some other questions you might consider include:

• Do I need any specialized disaster coverage, such as flood or earthquake insurance, that I don't already have?
• Is my home inventory current?
• Can I afford to raise my deductibles, and how much would it lower my annual premium?
• Am I carrying high enough liability limits to protect myself?
• Is an umbrella policy right for me?

Just like filing your taxes, an insurance check-up should be an annual item on your to-do list.  After all, there's nothing like the headache and heartache of thinking that you're fully covered and then finding out you're not when a claim occurs.

Remember, your insurance policies should reflect the life you have now - no the life you had when you first signed up with your carrier.  So, keep your insurance policies up to date and set an annual appointment with your insurance agent.