Especially during the holiday season, homeowners welcome guests, but want to protect their household from unwanted intruders.

Today's security systems are both high tech and high touch, with systems that can be integrated with a house's HVAC system and remotely accessed, says Dave Pedigo, vice president of emerging technologies with Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association (CEDIA), based in Indianapolis. The nearly 30-year-old association has 3,700 worldwide members that deliver technology solutions -- including security systems -- into homes.

"When it comes to a house's security system, we are often talking about it in terms of a 'smart' home, or one in which the electronic systems -- such as heating, cooling, sound and security -- reliably connect to the Internet and can be controlled by a touchscreen or remotely by a mobile device," Pedigo says. "Some of the most effective security systems have cameras that are hidden in plain view."

When it comes to electronically securing a home, homeowners shouldn't be alarmed by all the component choices available. An electronic security system should be customized to your home, and can include sensors on doors and windows, alarms, cameras and fire and flood detection.

"The technology for security systems is becoming more reliable, such as a motion detector that isn't set off by a pet in the house," Pedigo says. "Also, security systems are quickly moving toward being voice controlled through the development of Amazon's Alexa, Google Home and Apple's HomePod."

Considering an electronic security system for your home shouldn't set off a panic button, but neither should it lull you into a false sense of safety. It's important to also invest in the physical security of a home, by reinforcing doors and windows and adding additional lights around a house.

Installing a residential security system is only as effective as law enforcement's response to a home's tripped alarm. Homeowners can choose to pay an additional monthly fee to have the system monitored by a third-party security company. An unmonitored security system relies on watchful neighbors or cameras that are accessed through mobile devices.

Pedigo says many new-construction homes are pre-wired for "smart" home applications, in which a house's systems are all interconnected. "If a fire is detected, the heating and cooling systems will shut down, so the chance of being affected by smoke inhalation is reduced," he says. "In the same way, if an alarm is tripped inside the home, the lights outside can flash off and on, so law enforcement can find a home with ease."

When it comes to securing a home, some homeowners think outside the box and buy a prepackaged electronic security system and install it themselves. Security components manufactured by companies such as Nest, Ring and Kuna have popular applications that record video of people approaching the front door.

Maxime Veron, director of product marketing at Nest Labs, based in Palo Alto, California, says their product is modular, so a homeowner can add different components and services based on specific security needs. "The Nest Secure alarm system and security cameras are simple to set up and help you keep an eye on your home, inside and out, from anywhere," Veron says. "We've made a security system that is easy to live with for everyone that needs it, but tough on the intruders."

Fewer wires may be needed as more electronic components become compatible with wireless equipment and controllers. But despite dreams to be wire-free, the power for wireless systems still has to be hardwired into a home. And a wireless way of life isn't without its drawbacks, Pedigo says.

"Hardwiring a home is still the most reliable and secure way to implement an electronic system," he says. "While technology is moving toward creating more wireless systems, you can experience interference or a disruption of service based on other wireless devices operating on the same frequency in your home or your neighborhood."

Pedigo says professional installers of wire-free security systems can create a wireless, secure network that has seamless coverage within a home. Professionals can then use a spectrum analyzer to set the proper channel for the wireless devices so there is no interruption of security services.

One of the most popular security devices is video that can be captured from a doorbell or light fixture outside a home or apartment. "Especially during this time of year, when packages can be left on the stoop, a homeowner can have documentation of people who come to the door," Pedigo says. "Security starts outside the home, so people inside can feel safe and comfortable."

Now, monitoring a home can be as easy as pulling up the security system app on a mobile device. And while having a security system doesn't prevent crime, it's meant to give a homeowner peace of mind, knowing the property is being monitored, Pedigo says.

"The goal is to install a security system that never sees an intruder," he says. "Also, one of the best additions to a security system is also a wireless, age-old one: having a dog."

Security Clearance

Consult a local Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association professional to install security and "smart home" technologies by visiting www.cedia.org and clicking on the "Find a CEDIA Professional" box.

Do-it-yourself modular home security devices can be purchased at Nest.com.

During the holidays -- especially when the kitchen is the apex for activity at home -- sleek designers are creating spaces that really shine.

As an open floor plan becomes more prevalent in American houses, homeowners want the kitchen to reflect a modern aesthetic, which is found in the rest of the home and in European design, says Amir Ilin, director of North American sales for Pedini USA, based in Paramus, New Jersey.

"In the United States, kitchens that were traditional are moving into transitional styles," he says. "A modern style with a clean, unadorned interior is moving toward the ultra-modern, to the point where the kitchen cabinetry is like fine furniture that blends with other spaces in the home."

While all that glitters may not be gold, cool metallic accents of pewter, copper and rose- and champagne-gold are also hot in today's contemporary kitchen, Ilin says.

"The modern movement with clean angles and flowing curves of Italian design never went out of style in Europe," he says. "Italy brings the world the sleek design of the Ferrari and Lamborghini sports cars, and that same design principle is found in its kitchen cabinetry and stand-alone islands."

Outside the Box

Europeans use frameless cabinet manufacturing techniques, which offer greater accessibility to store items by eliminating front stiles and frames traditionally found in American kitchen cabinetry. Flat metal door and drawer fronts create a sleek, simple European aesthetic, which is treated in metallic colors, ranging from ultra-matte to high-gloss finishes.

Ilin says many European metal cabinets are powder-coated. This is a finishing process in which pigments and resin are electrostatically charged and sprayed onto the metal during the manufacturing process. The parts to be coated are electrically grounded, so that the charged particles will adhere to the metal. The coated piece is then placed into a large commercial oven, where it is baked. The heat causes the powder to melt onto the surface of the designed metal piece, and, as it cools, the coating becomes a durable finish.

Items can be powder-coated virtually any color, with any finish, ranging from matte to glossy. Curved cabinetry or kitchen islands with lines that are reminiscent of a high-end sports car are a custom-made design that can really get a homeowner's motor running.

Space to Spare

Today's thoroughly modern mantra in the kitchen is echoed throughout the entire home. "The idea that the kitchen is an intricate part of a home's design has never left the European sensibility," Ilin says. "Generally, many kitchens in America have been constructed so that every square inch of space is utilized, which can lead to a boxy cabinet design that is cut off from the rest of the home."

But homeowners don't have to undergo a total remodel or spend a golden egg to enjoy the custom-made benefits of a modern European kitchen redo, Ilin says. "Even the simple use of open shelving on walls, as opposed to having wall-to-wall cabinets, does a lot for a kitchen design," he says. "In a modern design, it is about creating a balance in the space -- what you have in place is as important as the uncluttered space that surrounds the pieces you have."

High-end appliances with built-in cooktops, ovens and cabinet-clad refrigerators extend the modern Epicurean illusion. Under-the-counter refrigerator drawers and customized shelving that rolls out for greater accessibility keep clutter out of sight and functionality top of the mind.

Epicurean Environment

The overall modern kitchen style is uncluttered and contemporary. But by incorporating natural elements into an otherwise austere atmosphere -- wood, stone and natural light -- a warm, intimate feeling can be achieved.

Ilin says porcelain is one of the most popular countertops in today's European-style kitchen, which can be fabricated in all shapes and sizes, without the ongoing maintenance of sealing stone.

Another popular choice is quartz countertops, also known as engineered stone, which is a manufactured surface comprised mostly of quartz. The remaining ingredients include high-performance polymers, resins and pigments that are colorized for a monochromatic look or made to mimic natural stone or concrete surfaces. Both quartz and porcelain are nonporous, waterproof, and stain-, heat- and scratch-resistant countertop choices.

If possible, keep windows bare or have window treatments installed so outdoor views are unobstructed. Another bright tip is to install unadorned, almost-industrial light fixtures -- whether over the kitchen island or the dining table -- to illuminate and accentuate this simply sophisticated style.

"The kitchen is the last room in the home where everyone still congregates together," Ilin says. "Today's modern kitchen should reflect your sense of style and not be a cookie-cutter design."

Contemporary Kitchen

To find a contemporary kitchen showroom near you, go to PediniUSA.com and select SHOWROOMS.

This fall, don't be haunted by rodents and insects trying to find a home for the winter inside your house.

Squirrels and other wild creatures are anything but cute if they've taken up residence inside your home, says Cindy Mannes, National Pest Management Association (NPMA) spokeswoman, based in Fairfax, Virginia.

"Animals have a job in nature. For example, termites break down dead trees so they can become soil again," she says. "It's great when that happens to fallen logs in the forest, but it's devastating when termites infiltrate your home."

A pest can be considered any insect, rodent or other wildlife that is an unwanted houseguest in your home. "Some people may not act if they see a single spider or mouse, but just know: If you see one, there's likely to be more," Mannes says. "Especially if a creature is venomous or carries disease, people want their home to be a sanctuary and their family to be protected."

In 2016, pest management was a $7.6 billion industry, with a projected growth of 4.5 percent every year, according to NPMA statistics. Mannes attributes some of this growth in pest management to consumer education and an intolerance of pests in and around the home.

As the weather turns colder, animals are also seeking the creature comforts humans can easily provide -- food, water and shelter. To help ensure that no creatures are stirring -- not even a mouse -- inside your home, know that an ounce of pest prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Audit

In order to keep insects, spiders and rodents from becoming unwanted houseguests, the NPMA recommends regular maintenance around the outside perimeter of the building.

-- Seal any cracks and crevices with silicone caulk, and larger holes with steel wool. Pay special attention to areas where the utilities enter a home.

-- Repair any opening in window screens and seal larger entryways under doors. Make sure attic vents and chimney openings are also capped and/or screened.

-- Replace weatherstripping and repair the fascia or any loose mortar around a basement foundation and windows.

-- Clean out gutters and remove other debris that encourages standing water near the house. Disconnect the outdoor hose and repair leaking faucets, water pipes and air conditioning units.

-- Properly landscape around the home to avoid providing a safe haven for pests. Keep shrubs trimmed, and keep mulch and thick groundcover away from the foundation. Store firewood at least 20 feet away from the home, and when bringing it inside, make sure to burn it right away.

-- Make sure basements, attics and crawl spaces are well-ventilated and dry.

-- Don't leave garbage cans outside without tightly sealing them.

Analyze

Mannes says most pest prevention is common sense, but requires a homeowner to see a structure through an animal's natural instincts. And you don't have to see a creature in your home to know that it has settled in for a long winter.

"If you have papers or books that have been chewed, or see droppings, you likely have a mouse in the house," she says. "Termites can leave what looks like sawdust under a window, or you can hear scurrying from other creatures in the walls or attic."

Act

If you suspect an infestation, Mannes says it's important to not freak out, but figure out the problem by hiring a licensed and insured pest professional who has the tools and expertise needed to inspect your home. By properly identifying the problem, a pest-management company can recommend the best course of action to rid your crib of unwanted critters.

"It's important to act, but not overreact," Mannes says. "Before contracting with a company, make sure the pest-control professionals have proper credentials, and get three bids, if possible."

Today's pest control isn't just one-size-fits-all; there is often an integrated pest-management plan based on the infestation problem and your home. "There has to be a level of trust with the pest-management company employees, because they are going into basement or attic storage that we, as homeowners, don't even venture," Mannes says. "When shopping for a pest-management company, it's important to not make a purchasing decision based solely on the lowest cost. Buy value, not just price."

All's well

Keeping critters outside can be as easy as implementing common sense inside, says Mannes. Be especially vigilant in areas that are dark and damp. "Don't store items in cardboard boxes, and use totes with lids that seal tightly," she says. "Keep a clean house, especially in the kitchen, where crumbs can be a critter's cafeteria."

Pest Professionals

To learn more about specific pests or find a pest-management professional in your area, go to PestWorld.org.