Hoarding has received a lot of attention lately through TV shows like A&E’s “Hoarders,” and media awareness, giving people the urge to organize their homes. A well-organized home is easy to enjoy, but there are a few more reasons to get in on the trend.

• Aesthetics: Even the most severe hoarders will admit that their piles of belongings look horrible. Be proud of a home that you work hard to maintain. It will encourage you to invite others over to enjoy it with you.

• Hidden treasures: There are probably many items you’ve either forgotten about or gave up on finding years ago because of clutter. Sort it out and  reap the rewards of finding lost items.

• Emergency exits: Home alarm systems, smoke detectors and other home security devices alert you when there’s an emergency. But that’s only part of keeping yourself safe. Clutter can get in the way of emergency exits and can drastically increase the time it takes you to exit your home.

Windows are a home safety hazard that often goes unnoticed until it’s too late. Practice care with functioning windows and don’t rely on screens to prevent accidents. Even if a window is marked as a protected point of entry for a home alarm system, you still need to take steps to protect children who are around it.

Practice these window safety tips to help secure your home and protect your family.

• Clear the area: Prevent access for children and avoid placing anything that can easily be climbed on  near windows. Never create play areas in front of windows.

• Block access: If you must open windows for ventilation, open the top portion no more than four inches. Many different kinds of window guards are available, but be sure to purchase ones that have quick-release mechanisms so that you can escape quickly in the case of a fire or other home security emergency.

• Watch coverings: Be wary of any inner or outer loops in cords on window blinds. Also be sure to tie cords up and keep them out of the reach of children. Keep any furniture, including cribs and play pens, from windows and window coverings.

• Stay nearby: Never leave a small child alone near an open window.

Many people are opting to work out of their home to save on commuting costs or spend more time with their families. While you may feel safer at home than in an office building, it’s important to remember that home offices and their expensive equipment can attract potential burglars.

Be sure to follow these simple safety tips below to help keep you and your home office safe.

• A few extra measures: In addition to a home alarm system and working locks on all outdoor windows and doors, install window treatments that obscure your office equipment from sight. But for a little extra assurance, install a dead bolt on your home office door to deter potential burglars from taking equipment like computers, printers and paper shredders.

• Safe records: Label and make a list of your equipment, along with photos and keep it in a safe place like a safe or bank deposit box so you’ll know what exactly you had in the case of damaged or stolen equipment. Also notify your insurance company that you’re working from home.

• Entryway check: Identify anyone making a delivery to your home before you open the door to ensure your home security. Never let the person enter your home office.

• Initial meetings: Always meet clients or other people you’re meeting for the first time in public. Also, let someone else know whom you’re meeting and where to ensure that someone will be on alert in case something happens to you.

ADT has long been the leader in home security.  For over a century, the company has provided top quality service and the latest technology designed to help provide customers peace of mind and security.  While all three of the home security packages offered through Best Home Security have slightly different features, there are some features that come standard with all packages.  What follows is a basic explanation of each feature and how they all work together to make you as safe as possible when you choose to use ADT home security to help protect your house and your loved ones.

Each system comes with a digital keypad.  This simple keypad is your lifeline in the event of an emergency.  With this item, you can contact ADT and have access to all of the major law enforcement agencies.  Your keypad alerts ADT Security to an emergency and is also used to activate and deactivate your system.

All systems also come with a keychain remote.  These remotes can be used to activate and deactivate the system from any room in the house.  This is also highly beneficial when trying to disarm the system while carrying a child or an armful of groceries, when typing in your access code would be difficult or impossible.

ADT alarm systems also come with motion detectors for inside the home.  These systems are designed to be pet sensitive, which reduces the number of false alarms caused by animals.  When coupled with all of the other innovative features of a home security system, motion detectors help to ensure that intruders are detected immediately upon entry of your home.

On all ADT security systems is a high decibel alarm system.  In addition to alerting both you and authorities that there has been an intrusion, the high pitch of this system is often effective in scaring away would be thieves and intruders.  When coupled with ADT yard signs and window decals, which also come standard with all packages, thieves can often be deterred before a break-in attempt or as soon as the alarm sounds.

All systems come with a battery backup in the event of a power failure, ensuring that you never go a moment without protection.  All systems are installed by professional installers, and can be scheduled and quickly installed so as to provide minimal disruption to your daily life.

In addition to the features listed above, there are a few other features that come with certain packages.  For customers who desire it, there is the option for a two way communicator to be installed with the system.  This acts as an intercom and allows you to talk with ADT monitor centers from anywhere in the home during an emergency without needing to push a button.  For people without a landline telephone, or for those who desire an extra layer of protection, there is also CellGuard, which uses cellular towers to contact ADT in the event of an emergency.  ADT alarm systems provide security options for every home and budget.

The need for increased home security is well understood by many homeowners around the nation.  However, while that need might be understood, the options available may not be.  In fact, many homeowners are still without the vital protection of a home security system, relying instead on outmoded forms of protection or no protection, at all.  While once upon a time, door locks may have been a theft deterrent, they are little more than a minor hindrance to today’s criminals.
Home invasion is frequently in the headlines in our modern times.  One can scarcely open the newspaper or turn on the local news without seeing yet another story about home burglary or invasion.  What is a concerned consumer to do for home security?  What options provide the best benefits?  Are different protection levels available?  Here, then, are the answers to some of your home security questions.
The most comprehensive option for home protection is obviously a home security system.  These systems come with a wide range of options, from simple sirens and alarms at unauthorized entry to sophisticated systems that integrate video, audio and alarm systems, as well as real-time monitoring of vital areas for a plethora of different threats.
What does ADT Home Security provide you that will help make your home a safer, happier place?  Surprisingly, there are plenty of options for even the most concerned consumers.  Here are just a few of their innovative options.
3 Points of Protection – Customers can experience ADT’s award-winning protection at the front and rear doors, as well as their vulnerable windows that could allow an invader into the home.
Smart Motion Detectors – Smart motion detectors are capable of determining the difference between a small child or a pet and a home intruder.  In addition, these detectors are capable of detecting the difference between a threat and an object moved by a breeze or your HVAC system.
Monitors – Home monitors provide peace of mind in many instances.  While smoke and fire detectors are often options that consumers think of, there are others available.  For instance, carbon monoxide is a silent, deadly threat.  Carbon monoxide detectors linked into your home security system can detect this silent killer and alert you.  Flood detectors can be set to monitor at-threat areas and alert you should a threat materialize.
Cameras – While motion detectors and other additions are an important part of your home security, cameras can give you even better security.  ADT’s cameras can be routed through a computer for immediate access to all video streams and even accessed through other locations so that you can monitor your home when you are away.
Keychain Remote – The most common cause of false alarms is incorrect code input by the homeowner.  A keychain remote allows you to arm and disarm your alarm system from outside the house.  This means never having to go back inside if you forgot to set the alarm on the way out, never having to worry about forgetting the code and the ability to disarm the alarm from your driveway if you’re in a hurry.

Having a home security system is an important part of keeping your entire family and your possessions safe and secure.  In neighborhoods all across the country – even those considered very safe – homeowners and renters are protecting their dwellings with sophisticated security systems.

While the presence of home security systems does reduce crime in itself, the systems are also known as somewhat of a nuisance to police and fire personnel.  False alarms are very common with keypad-entry security systems.  The reason for false alarms is usually because the occupant of the home forgot their code or accidentally entered the wrong code.

Every time a false alarm is sounded and the police force or fire department responds, it costs your city money.  The costs vary by location, but some cities estimate that false alarms cost them a million dollars a year.  Understandably, many localities are now charging fines for homeowners who have repeated false alarms.  You may be forgiven for the first one or two false alarms, but any more than that and you’ll be billed each time.

City budgets aren’t the only victims of security system false alarms.  People who fear being fined sometimes disconnect their security system or simply stop arming it.  While it may save the occupant from being fined for accidentally tripping the alarm, it also opens the home up to break-ins.

In order to combat this increasing problem, ADT Security has introduced SafeWatch SafePass, which is a small radio frequency identification (RFID) tag that alarm system owners carry with them.  It works in the same way that entering a security code would work to arm and disarm the system.  The difference is that there is virtually no room for human error with this method.  It just takes a simple wave of the tag a couple of inches in front of the wall panel.

ADT Security is the only home security company in the nation with this technology.  They hope that the simple-to-use device will be beneficial not only for the person using the alarm system, but for every police, fire and rescue department around the country.  By making it harder to trigger the alarm accidentally, the device may save cities millions of dollars a year.

In addition to using the SafeWatch SafePass, there are many other ways to avoid setting off your alarm system accidentally.

1. Make sure everyone in the home knows how to use the system.  This doesn’t necessarily mean teaching your toddler the code, but let everyone know that doors shouldn’t be opened when the system is armed.  Inform them about the delay time between arming the alarm and getting out of the door.

2. Maintain your system.  Keep sensors clean, keep batteries fresh, and call the security company for maintenance when needed.

3. Know how to cancel the alarm.  In the case of a false alarm, you need to know the cancel code to avoid a costly visit by police, rescue, or fire personnel.

A great way to help protect your home and family – and avoid false alarms – is to select from one of the excellent, technologically-advanced ADT security systems.

Homeowners are always looking for ways to better protect their homes and families.  Home security systems have always been an effective means of protection, and among these systems, ADT has consistently provided state of the art monitoring as well as top quality service.  With the recent addition of SafePass, ADT continues their trend of staying at the top of the home protection service industry as this service adds new features to an already superior product.

SafePass is a home monitoring device that relies on a touchpad much like current systems.  Instead of a numerical code, however, the device relies on a set of programmed tags to arm and disarm the system.  The tags are tiny and fit easily in a pocket or on a keychain and work simply by waving them in front of the touchpad.

These small tags have one innovative benefit that greatly increases the security of any home.  They are easily programmed to only work during certain times.  This means that you can program a tag for a babysitter or housekeeper that allows them to enter your home only during specific hours.  Unlike a code, it cannot be dispensed to others and cannot be used at any time.

The programmable tags also benefit parents who desire a more effective way to monitor their children and teenagers, as it also prevents them from disarming the system during hours in which the tag is inactive.  The tags also eliminate the worry of children forgetting entry codes and accidentally triggering alarms.  These tags can be attached to a backpack or clothing, making them easier for children and teenagers to keep track of.

SafePass helps you to better protect your home while simultaneously reducing the amount of false alarms.  The systems are a low cost solution and extra tags are inexpensive, making it easy to get one for every member of the family.  Because they rely on infrared sensors, the systems also do not require a battery, which means that the tags will not die or lose power.  They are incredibly easy to use, making them convenient for virtually all homeowners.

SafePass is truly an innovation in home security.  They tiny tags are convenient and have shown already to be beneficial to a majority of users.  Elderly people or people with vision problems often have a hard time seeing and using the keypads on their home security systems, making the tags an ideal solution.  They are also effective for people carrying in groceries or children, as a simple wave of the tag can disarm the system and does not require setting everything down.  The possibilities are really endless as to who the new systems can benefit.

Ultimately, ADT’s new SafePass system is low cost, convenient, and effective.  The number of false alarms with the system is dramatically decreased, freeing law enforcement officials to respond only to emergency situations.  For more information on ADT SafePass or any ADT home security system, contact Best Home Security.  As an authorized ADT dealer, Best Home Security can provide you with security recommendations and answer any questions you may have about these systems.  With SafePass, convenience and safety are truly available in the same package.

Technological advances and inventive minds have catapulted our everyday processes to include completely new gadgets and tools. The home security market is now much the same, and some current trends in this business include increasing use of mobile devices to manage a security system, as well as private eye tools like safe rooms and fingerprint door locks.

ADT Home Security has jumped into the technology revolution with its keychain remote access device, infrared motion detectors and wireless systems. As security technology continues to evolve, ADT is sure to provide the latest system upgrades to match consumers’ need for high-tech protection.

Many households are using broadband connections today, and this fact has enabled many security companies to take advantage of a heightened sense of security concerns by combining information pathways.

According to a recent survey of consumers, receiving alerts about their home’s security via a mobile device is considered the most useful characteristic of two-way security systems. Next in line is managing systems via their mobile devices, followed by remote monitoring capacity. This tells us that an increasing number of Americans are gone more often, which is perhaps why security has become so important for them. Among other choices considered useful in security system features were visual baby cams, using a television as a front door monitor, PC-managed home security, and web cameras connected to home security. It all may sound like rocket science to you, but many major companies are offering more of these services to their customers with increasing frequency.

Those of us who saw Jodie Foster’s movie, “The Panic Room”, are very familiar with what a safe room is, and how it is meant to be used. A panic room provides a quick escape in the event of an intruder entering your house, and you are unable to exit without passing him or her on your way out the door. For those of us who live in a stormy climate, safe rooms also give resilient shelter from imminent natural disasters.

Safe rooms should always be constructed in an easily-accessible area that you can reach without alerting an intruder. A landline phone, first aid kit, fire extinguisher, and charged cell phone should be stored in the room for alerting authorities and diverting any medical or fire emergencies. If a panic room is constructed correctly, an intruder won’t be able to enter it. Some owners also choose to disguise the entrance behind a piece of furniture or false wall.

Use of convenient fingerprint door locks is also on the rise. Without having to fish for keys, the lock deactivates with a simple press of your thumb. These fancy locks are battery powered, and begin to flash a warning when you need to change them. Some models carry as many as 50 fingerprint profiles at a time, and cost around $400. Gone are the days of calling a locksmith because you’ve locked yourself out, as is the fear of intruders entering your home when you lose your keys.

When used in addition to an installed home security alarm, many useful trends in the industry such as fingerprint door locks and safe rooms will keep your family safe from undue harm.

If you watch the news, you’re probably concerned about the crime rate. The rate of home invasions and burglaries is especially alarming. Although there’s no one sure-fire way to guarantee that your home will never be targeted, there are many things you can do to improve your home security and make your house a less easy target for would-be intruders.

1. Invest in high-quality doors, door frames, windows, and locks. Criminals typically spend less than two minutes trying to gain entry to a house. In those two minutes, it’s very easy to kick in a cheap, poorly constructed door or break the lock on a flimsy window. It will cost you some money, but installing the best quality doors, windows, and locks you can afford could very well prevent a break-in.

2. Keep all doors and windows locked at all times, even when you are at home. The average burglar always tries the front door first. In fact, 34 percent of home break-ins happen after the intruder comes through the front door. If the door is unlocked, the burglar can simply walk right in and have a shopping spree in your house.

3. Never hide house keys outside. Even if you think that a burglar will never think to check inside the bird house, on top of the door frame, or inside the rose bush, you are wrong. It is their job to get into your house, and they probably do it very well. If you have trouble remembering your keys, think about getting a thumbprint lock or a keypad lock.

4. Upgrade your patio doors and install a security bar. Older patio doors typically have just one lock, and it’s not a very good one. New patio doors usually include two locks: a main lock on the handle and a bolt that locks it into the frame. Add a security bar for extra safety. This is a plain wooden or metal bar that wedges into the sliding door frame and prevents it from opening.

5. Install a dependable home security system. Yes, it will cost you some money every month. But is saving around a dollar a day really worth risking your family’s safety? ADT offers outstanding packages that you can customize to your needs. You can get the bare-bones package, or you can get the big package with all the bells and whistles. Either way, thieves will be deterred by the system, the monitoring center will let you know if there’s ever a problem in your home, and you can sleep better at night knowing they’re watching over you.

These tips are just the beginning of a well-rounded home security plan. There are plenty of other things you can and should do to protect yourself and your home. Unfortunately, there’s no magic potion to end crime and make the world completely safe. But by taking an active role in your home’s safety, you can make your corner of the world a much safer place to be.

No name is quite as synonymous with security as ADT, with the possible exception of Brinks. However, ADT has been in the security business for 131 years, unlike their competitors. Their dedication is unmatched, their network of security centers is unequaled and their service is excellent. While those are definitely some great selling points, today’s consumer demands more than that. They demand information; they want to know what they get for their dollar. Here’s a rundown of what you get with ADT Home Security service, as well as optional equipment that can be easily added.

Service: ADT offers 24 hour, uninterrupted professional monitoring. They have five national monitoring centers that are networked together to provide the best home security monitoring in the industry. You will not find this offer with other companies. The importance of professional monitoring is paramount; without it, you simply have a loud alarm, with no way to contact the authorities in an emergency.

Digital Keypad: Why is a digital keypad important? It can cut down on false code inputs by providing larger number pads, a better viewing area and interactive informational menus. It also offers one touch emergency contacts for medical authorities and police, as well as paging options and the ability to communicate directly with the monitoring center through the built in speaker phone.

Remote Access Keychain: Remote access for your alarm system? Really? Yes, you can now arm and disarm your home alarm system from outside your home or in your car. Why is this important? It completely eliminates any false codes due to incorrect security codes. It is also very handy if you leave the house without arming your alarm system. The device, itself, is small, resembling the alarm fob for an automobile.

Professional Installation: Many homeowners are put off by the prospect of installing a security system. ADT provides experienced, professional installers so that it is done right, the first time. This is the best way to make sure that your system is installed right and that it operates properly.

Battery Backup: Many homeowners are concerned about the operation of their system when the power is out. With the battery backup offered by ADT, that concern is alleviated. The battery backup can be set to last from 8 to 24 hours, depending on the system purchased.

Infrared Motion Detector: This motion detector can be configured to recognize small children and pets so that you don’t have to worry about them setting off the alarm. However, it is still sensitive enough to detect any intruder over the size programmed and will set off the alarm immediately.

ADT also offers a number of quality options for these systems. For instance, a carbon monoxide detector can be installed to help ensure the safety of your family. You can also choose a freeze detector and a flood detector to increase your security. Panic buttons, cameras and alternative forms of signal transmission can also be incorporated in the system, quite easily for added protection.