In all of the excitement of a new school year, the most important things can go by the wayside. Home safety should be at the front of every parent’s mind, but sometimes that’s not the case. With the school year’s opening bell just around the corner, it’s time to refresh your memory. Below, you’ll find some simple tips that will help to keep your child safe this fall.

Refresh the Basics for Campers Coming Back: You would be surprised what a couple of months away at sleep away camp can do to your child’s thoughts on home security. For kids, summer is a time to get away from it all: no homework means no worries. Remind them that they’re no longer in a controlled environment; instead, there are now real dangers that they have to concern themselves with. A vigilant state of mind will go further than anything else to prevent a catastrophe.

Schedule a Home Alarm Lesson: Whether your system is brand new or you’ve had it for a decade (in which case, it’s time for an upgrade), sit your kids down for a refresher course. Remind them that the security code is no joke; it’s meant to be kept a secret from everyone outside of the immediate family.

Talk to Your Children About Bullies: Immortalized in movies like Mean Girls and The Sandlot, bullies are something that need to be taken seriously. Recent tragedies in states across the United States show the need to confront this problem head-on. Let your kids know that they should talk to a trusted teacher or principal if they feel threatened at any time.

Your child can enjoy a safe, fulfilling start to 2009-2010 school year. Take the time to reach out and talk about home security and safety at school, and you’ll go a long way towards that goal.

As summer comes to a close and fall and winter approach, many homeowners are setting aside a day to take care of their home security needs. This is a great method of ensuring that your property will stay protected for the next six months. Below, find some tips on ways to schedule the perfect day of home security maintenance.

Change Out Smoke Detector Batteries: It’s important to swap out the batteries in your smoke detectors at least once every six months. In the event of a fire, you need all of the notice you can get. While your home security system is equipped with a carbon monoxide detection device, a separate, backup system is recommended to provide the full protection your family deserves.

Change the Locks on Front Door: If you counted the number of times you’ve lent out keys over the past six months, you’d probably find yourself pretty shocked. Whether you’ve given them out to friends, family, neighbors, or Jonny down the street taking care of the dog while you were on vacation, that’s a lot of metal floating around. Take a couple of hours to swap out the old for the new. If your door isn’t properly secured with a bolting lock, now is a great time to make the transition to this more powerful home security device.

Talk to a Home Alarm System Representative About New Technology: New home security technology comes online all the time. Make sure your home is up to date by speaking with a home security representative about exciting new options like closed circuit television cameras and wall panels that enable communication with a home security professional from anywhere in the home.

Schedule a Neighborhood Meeting: Set up a time to talk to the folks in your neighborhood about home security. A strong network of homeowners is one of the surest way to stop crime. Let them know your expectations, and listen to their concerns. Together, you can craft a policy that will keep the neighborhood safe from criminal activity.

Stop putting off home security. By setting up a specific calendar day to take care of protecting your home, you’ll ensure that the necessary steps are taken to keep your family safe and sound.

The heat has rolled in, and it’s not going anywhere soon.  With the heavy and humid summer months upon us, it is time for everyone in the family to put their swimsuit on and take a refreshing dip in the pool.  Lucky are those who happen to have a pool in their very own back yard—something sure to draw in lots of friends and acquaintances looking for some reprieve from the scorching heat.  Having a home swimming pool is a real joy in this regard, though from a home security point of view it also raises certain safety questions, and any home owner with a pool on their property needs to be active in guaranteeing the wellbeing of all.

The first thing that needs to happen is that people need to be made aware of the safety concerns when enjoying the pool and the surrounding area.  Sitting down with family members to explain the rules in depth and the reasons behind those rules is fundamental, as everyone living there should be fully up to speed on the issue; also, it’s necessary to have a quick talk with any other people that come to use the pool that aren’t members of the family.  Having a sign up near the pool reiterating the rules is a good idea, too.

The basic home security rules for the pool are that there is no running allowed, and secondly that diving head first is only allowed in the deep end (if there is one; otherwise it should be totally prohibited).  Thirdly, children should never be allowed to swim or be near the pool on their own; only once a child has demonstrated advanced swimming talents and have surpassed a certain minimal age is it alright for them to use the pool alone.  Fourthly, there should be absolutely no pushing or pulling at all—falls caused because of this behavior can be very bad if not fatal.

It’s best to have a fence surrounding the pool area, with a child-proof lock on the inside, standing at least 4 feet tall.  You can have your home security system configured so that doors leading to the pool can trigger the home alarm, which may not be such a bad idea.  Ultimately, just make sure to talk about pool safety rules in depth and beginning at a young age for your children: the more they understand, the better off everyone will be.

The kids are out of school, you’re finally ready to use those hard earned vacation days, and reservations are booked at that cute little spot down by the beach. Before you pack up the car and head out of the driveway, however, remember that criminals are having the same thoughts. But while you’re picturing rolling waves, they’re picturing the valuable possessions you’ve accumulated in your home over the course of your lifetime. Home security is something you can’t take lightly. Your family deserves the best when it comes to home security protection.

It is clear that a home is protected whenever there is a decal on the window or signpost out side your home. When a burglar spots an ADT decal, he knows it’s time to move on to the next house on the block. ADT can help protect your home with its full solution backed of five interconnected command centers working round the clock to ensure your safety and the safety of your house or apartment. Vacation is a time to get away from stress, not endure more of it. When your home is protected by a world-class home alarm system, you can enjoy your time away without worrying about things hundreds (or thousands) of miles away.

If you own a vacation home, security is perhaps an even more important consideration. Criminals know that these properties are usually unoccupied, making them extremely attractive targets. Perhaps you’re dismissing the need for an internal alarm system, counting on the protection of the occasional patrol from the community rent-a-cop. These folks have about as much training in these areas as you. Don’t rely on them to maintain the sanctity of your personal space.

In addition to installing a home alarm system, there are some easy steps to take to make your home even more secure. When leaving for a trip, always make sure to stop delivery of newspapers and the mail. Nothing announces, “I’m on vacation!” more loudly than an overflowing mailbox and newspapers piling up at the end of the driveway. You can also ask a trusted neighbor to take them in every couple of days.

You’ll also want to purchase a timer for the lights in your home. These inexpensive, easy to set up devices can be set to mimic your daily patterns, creating the illusion that someone’s still at home.

Having a reliable home security system, backed up by the steps outlined above, is your best bet for keeping your home protected from intruders. Contact a professional technician today to find out what you can do to keep your family and home safe and sound.

Most home security systems these days are technologically advanced enough that they automatically contact a security company when there is an emergency.  The station that receives these calls is also known as a command center.  The command center is the heart of your security system, and if they fail then your system fails.  While failure is highly unlikely, it is the exact reason that the best home security companies offer more than one command center.

There are multiple reasons a command center could become nonoperational.  Telephone lines going down could cause a disturbance and power outages could cause minimal interruption as well.  These are only minimal.  Other possibilities are things such as tornadoes and hurricanes or other natural disasters.  Any disaster or large scale emergency would likely result in the nearest call center being bombarded with calls if the disaster did not impact it directly.

By providing multiple call centers that can accept overflow from one another in the event of an emergency, a home security company creates a safety net that ensures customers that someone will always answer the call for help.  Employees at all call centers have access to the same emergency services personnel in every city and town in the country, no matter where they are located.

Because of this interlinked network, even if a disaster were to render your nearest command center inoperable, your call would be immediately rerouted to another call center where you would receive help just as promptly.  This is a crucial part of a home security system, because as events both natural and man made have shown in the last ten years, a large scale crisis can come without warning.

ADT has long been the leader in home security. ADT home security operates five national command centers.  Each center is linked to all others, and they have access to almost forty thousand public safety and emergency services agencies.  This thickly woven web of command centers is prepared and fully trained to handle any crisis situation with quick assessment and response to every call.

In short, when it comes to a home security system, it is highly recommended to choose a company with more than one command center.  While natural disasters are uncommon, they can and do happen anywhere.  When a disaster strikes, it is more important than ever to have access to emergency services personnel.  With a home security system that can always reach someone in the event of intrusion, fire, flood, or other emergency, your chances of protecting your loved ones and your home are greatly increased.

Ultimately, whether or not you obtain a home security system is up to you.  If you elect to have a system installed, however, it is highly recommended that you choose a reputable company that employs more than one command center.  Most security companies will offer you protection for only a small monthly fee.  Isn’t it best to choose a company who will offer you the most protection your money can buy?

The choice to invest in a home security system is one that makes a great deal of sense today.  However, if you are interested in purchasing a home security system, you will need to know what makes a viable option and what is a poor choice for your needs.  What elements do you need in a security system?  A plethora of different options exists on the market and not all of them make sense for your needs.  Here, you will find a guide designed to help you choose the best security system for your home.

Monitored or Unmonitored – The greatest difference in home security systems comes in the choice of monitored systems or unmonitored systems.  Unmonitored systems are often very affordable and can be installed in a very short time, requiring no special experience or skills.  However, the fact that they are unmonitored is a hindrance.  In short, these are nothing more than a very loud alarm, which sounds when the system is triggered.  A monitored system, such as one from ADT Security Services, offers considerably more benefits.  Because the system is monitored 24-hours per day, your safety is much greater.  The monitoring center will alert the police, fire department, ambulance or other authorities and have help on the way immediately.  Obviously, an unmonitored system is incapable of this.

Expandability – How expandable is the security system in question?  Your security needs are unlikely to remain static.  Life is change and this applies to your security system, as to all else.  A quality security system will be able to grow with your family, changing as your needs change.  In addition, you should be able to scale the system down when the time comes.  This gives you the best of all worlds, wrapped up in a security system that will evolve as your security needs change.

Wired or Wireless – The question of a wired or wireless system is one that has created great debate around the nation.  Wired systems are more reliable, but wireless systems are less intrusive and are expandable.  However, the best system lies somewhere in the middle.  In fact, a hybrid security system using a wired control center and wireless peripherals is the best way to ensure that the system works properly and reliably, as well as ensuring that you can expand the system without serious damage being done to the walls of your home.

Levels of Coverage – The number of coverage and protection types offered by your alarm system is also important.  For instance, a good alarm system will offer protection from burglary, fire and smoke, carbon monoxide, freezing temperatures (for your water pipes) and even flood protection.  It is vital that you be able to choose the levels of protection that make the most sense for your needs.  A quality security system that offers 24-hour monitoring and protection from the largest number of threats is the best bet for your family’s safety. You will also need to ensure that the home security system is affordable, while still offering the best coverage possible.

In this modern era, the need for increased protection of municipal interests from terrorism and vandalism is vital. ADT has stepped forward with numerous innovations and vital offers that provide municipalities, government offices and many others with the protection required to ensure safety and security for all.

The most recent instance of this is Birmingham Water Works in Birmingham, Alabama. The Water Works is the largest water utility in Alabama and supplies vital water to countless homes and business throughout the surrounding area. In a recent development, ADT was chosen to implement their new security system, consisting of state-of-the-art cameras and monitoring equipment, as well as access control for more than 600 employees.

The new system will include more than 300 cameras to monitor the exterior and the interior of each of the 18 Water Works locations. The images and video from the sites are streamed through a computer network to a dedicated security center, providing 24-hour protection for citizens.

Beyond monitoring for security needs, the cameras also play a vital role as a backup safety system. Many cameras located in interior sections will monitor pressure gauges, valves and other important aspects of the process. These views are used by security and monitoring personnel, ensuring that everything is operating properly and that no safety hazards have developed in critical areas.

In addition, ADT provides not only video coverage of vital areas, but also audio transmission. Access areas are provided with intercom systems to complement the video equipment and help ensure smooth access and egress from all areas.

Far from being a single endeavor, ADT is being recruited more and more frequently all around the nation to provide state-of-the-art security and safety solutions for a wide range of needs. Ensuring that the nation’s infrastructure is protected is in everyone’s best interest. ADT is the company most often chosen for the job, due to their vast range of experience, dedication to the best solutions and innovative service offerings. For this reason, ADT is, perhaps, the fastest growing security company in the US.

Of course, ADT specializes in protecting individual homes and even individual consumers, as well. Their extensive line of security solutions and protective equipment provides any homeowner with the means to attain the highest security. Their products can be used to secure homes and businesses, as well as assist the elderly retain their independence, ensure the safety of children while you are away from the home and more.

Through their specialized and integrated video surveillance and alarm solutions, ADT can provide any consumer with a viable, comprehensive solution for security and safety. Innovative options are widely available to protect any building against the threat of fire, flood, theft, smoke and even the silent menace of carbon monoxide. For homeowners, business owners and even local governments, ADT supplies the best solutions to help ensure complete security and safety at all times.

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.

Pet lovers know that it can be stressful to leave beloved pets at home every day. While we are at work, school, and all of our other commitments, our pets are at home eagerly anticipating our return. And while it’s unpleasant to think about, pet owners should be aware that pets are vulnerable if the unthinkable happens while we are away.

Every year, an estimated 500,000 pets are affected by home fires. Many of those pets fall victim when an otherwise unoccupied house goes up in flames. For pet owners, this scenario is a nightmare. What makes it even worse is that in many cases, it can be prevented.

Recently the American Kennel Club, the National Volunteer Fire Council, and home security system provider ADT teamed up to offer some valuable advice on keeping pets safe from home fires. Their recommendations began with equipping homes with smoke detectors and a fire detection system.

A home that is equipped with multiple layers of fire protection and defense will be less likely to suffer damages and result in pet injury. A smoke detector will alert any people inside the house to a fire, and a fire detection system will alert the authorities. If no one is home, the fire detection system can get the fire department to your home before your pets are harmed.

Another excellent way to protect pets from fire injuries is to put pet alert window clings on your windows. These stickers tell rescue personnel that there are pets in the home that need to be rescued in the event of an emergency. ADT provides these stickers at no charge.

If you have pet alert window clings on your windows, be sure to keep the information accurate and up to date. Listing the correct number of pets on the window clings will help ensure that rescue personnel look for all of the pets who may be inside the house.

Pet owners can also take steps toward preventing pet-related fires. It’s a little-known fact that pets can accidentally start fires. To avoid this tragic scenario, pet proof your home.

Don’t leave lit candles unattended around pets. Secure any cooking appliances that could be knocked over and start a fire, such as hot plates and electric skillets. Also secure any loose electrical wires and cords. Puppies and kittens love to chew on things and can seriously injure themselves or start a fire by chewing on a cord.

Restrict your pet’s access to rooms that contain hazards. If you can’t keep your pets away from potentially dangerous places or items, confine them to a safe room or a kennel while you are away from the home.

Preventing pet-related fires really can be as simple as using common sense and avoiding dangerous scenarios. And if a home fire should occur, an ADT fire detection system can get help out in a hurry and minimize the damage to your property and your furry and feathered friends.