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.

Preventing a burglar from entering your home is the purpose of your security system. However, there are ways to deter a would be burglar from even attempting to burglarize your home. Prevention is the only means of attaining security and any items that offer a level of protection should be used. Yard sings and window decals offer exactly the means to accomplish this goal.

Most alarm companies provide yard signs and window decals to homeowners. Far from being a means of advertising their services, these are provided by the alarm company to help improve your security level. Simply by placing these in highly visible locations around your home, you can add an extra layer of protection for your loved ones and your possessions. There are few better ways to easily enhance your home security.

Why do yard signs and window decals make an effective defense against criminals? First, it is important to understand at least a few aspects of the criminal mindset. By nature, burglars desire to avoid notice. They seek out easy prey; homes that are obviously unoccupied and unprotected. By using yard signs and window decals you are advertising to the any potential criminal that you take your security seriously and that if they attempt to enter your home, they will be stymied.

In a sense, these items extend the sphere of protection offered by your alarm system. Most criminals will not attempt to enter a home that is protected by an alarm system; by using these signs and stickers, you can deter burglars and make them go in search of easier prey. When combined with other protection tips, you can gain a comprehensive security solution and peace of mind, as well.

Where should you place yard signs and window decals so that they offer the utmost protection? Simply place them in highly visible locations. The front yard, near the end of your driveway is a good location for a yard sign. In addition, you can place one on the backside of your home, as well. Window decals should be used in bottom floor windows, in areas that are likely to be seen by criminals scanning the ground. If your home has windows or glass beside the front door, this is a perfect place for these decals. In addition, do not neglect that back portion of your home. Placing a security system decal by the rear and side doors will increase your protection.

There are a few caveats to using security yard signs and window decals, though. The first, as mentioned previously, is to place them in highly visible areas. The second is that these need to be changed on a regular basis. As soon as they become noticeably faded or illegible, they should be replaced with new ones. Faded or illegible signs and stickers indicate to criminals that you do not hold your security in the highest of regards and can increase your chances of a break in.

Security lights are an important feature when considering home security solutions. It is important for us to provide all the possible solutions to ensure the safety of our family and protect our precious heirlooms and valuables.

Solutions for security lighting typically include motion sensors. These lights can be floodlights installed at the corner of your home or additional lighting installed on your property. Security lights often give the illusion that people are home even when they are away.

One of the biggest benefits to the installation of security lights is that they are an intrusion deterrent. Potential burglars will often avoid a home where they can be seen as security lights are turned on. These intruders will not know unless they penetrate the home whether there are people on the other side of the window or door. It is easier for an intruder to move on to another home than to take their chances by breaking in.

A variety of motion sensors can be used to trigger security lights. The most popular and most reliable sensors are PIR (passive infrared) sensors. These sensors detect various degrees of radiated heat that pass in front of the sensor. They can be set to detect objects up to 35 feet away which is an incredible range of motion detection.

When selecting security lighting consider looking for motion sensors that are solar powered. These lights can provide up to 8 hours of illumination and eliminate the need for an AC power source or battery. If your home is multiple levels solar powered lights are the best solution to prevent the need to climb a ladder each month to test the security lights.

Home security lights are great solutions for lighting driveways, garages, walkways and sheds. These lights can come equipped with LED or halogen lights. Consider LED lighting which uses lower power, produces a brighter light and lasts longer. LED lighting can cost a little bit more but the benefits outweigh the increased cost.

When selecting lighting for your home security, look for lights that have built-in surge protection. These lights are often lightning proof which is a great feature to protect your home from the elements. Another important security feature is the ability to change settings on your lights. These settings include the time the lights will display, motion sensitivity and daylight sensitivity (LUX) adjustments. An adjustable time duration will allow you to set customize your security solution to fit your needs.

Although security lights are a great visible deterrent there is no substitute for a full home security system. Security systems with monitoring capabilities can protect your home and family from a variety of intruders including invisible invaders such as carbon monoxide. Security lights should always be considered an added component to protect the ones you love and not the final security solution.

For many homeowners, the decision to buy (or not to buy) a home security system does not hinge on price or convenience; it hinges on their pets. More specifically, it hinges on their belief that their pet will have to be put outdoors for their alarm system to operate correctly. People’s pets are family, and no one wants to put them outside when the alarm is set. Thankfully, now you don’t have to.

Some alarm system companies are now taking into account people’s devotion to their pets. This is being incorporated into a form of motion detector that can tell the difference between an intruder and a pet. With a system of this sort, you can achieve the degree of security needed for your home, without worrying that Spot or Fluffy will set off the alarm inadvertently. ADT security systems include this type of motion detector in all of their installations; you never have to pay extra for this feature.

Pet sensitive motion detectors can determine the difference between a pet and an intruder. With their new technology, these devices can judge size and weight, which means that even if an intruder were to crouch low, the system would still detect their presence, while allowing your pet to roam free in the home. You can protect your home and your pet at the same time using this type of system.

There are two main benefits to this technology. The first is that homeowners no longer have to put their pet outdoors or in a closed room when the alarm system is armed. The second is that consumers no longer have to worry about false alarms due to pet activity. That means that you can secure your home the way it should be, without disrupting your family.

As convenient as they are, these motion sensors do have some limitations. Surprisingly, they are very few. For instance, most pet sensitive motion sensors will only recognize pets below 2 ½ feet tall and under 80 lbs. This is actually done to enhance your safety. If the specifications allowed for greater height and weight, it would be entirely possible for an intruder to bypass the alarm system. However, since most pet owners do not own pets this large, the alarm system can still function properly, protecting your family, your home and your possessions in full.

One other drawback is that of multiple pets. While the system can distinguish between a pet and an intruder, multiple pets may confuse the motion sensors. To determine if this will be the case, test the system when the installer is performing their job. This way, if the sensitivity, location or height of the sensor needs to be adjusted to accommodate your pets, it can be done during installation. Speaking with a dedicated security system installer will also allow you to choose the alarm system that will best suit your needs.

Your choice in home security may seem redundant. Many consumers simply feel that all security systems operate in the same manner. This is especially true of monitored security systems in the home. What sets ADT apart? What makes them the company that you should choose to provide your security? There are quite a few reasons. Below, you’ll find a few of the top reasons that you should consider this brand for use in your home.

Complete Protection 24 Hours per Day: When ADT says 24 hour protection, they mean it. Home security monitoring is performed with a combination of sensors and control panels installed throughout your home. These are linked directly to a command center. ADT has the largest number of dedicated command/monitoring centers. In fact, they currently have five centers across the US. This means that they offer the utmost in monitoring, completely dedicated to your security and your peace of mind.

What can ADT monitoring do that others cannot? Simply put, they can alert you, as well as the police, fire department or emergency services. This is vital in many cases, some not even related to home invasion. For instance, if there is a fire in your home, ADT monitoring personnel will alert you, the homeowner, as well as simultaneously alerting the fire department. There is no more worrying about replacing batteries in your smoke detectors, no more worries that old smoke detectors are no longer working properly. This also applies to medical emergencies. One option with an ADT system is a panic button. This is the perfect option if there are small children or seniors living in the home; simply pressing the button alerts the monitoring center that something is wrong and help is dispatched.

Advanced Equipment: ADT monitoring is facilitated by the innovative equipment that makes up the security system. One of these options is called Cell Guard. Cell Guard makes it possible for even those without a home telephone line to take advantage of constant monitoring and works through a cellular network like your cell phone. If you have ever been worried that your phone line going down will compromise your security, this option puts those fears to rest. In addition, Cell Guard can be installed in tandem with traditional installs to operate as a backup means of communication, in case such an emergency arise.

Additionally, ADT monitoring is enhanced by the presence of additional monitors. The system is not limited to panic buttons, fire/smoke detectors and door sensors. There are many other vital sensors that can be added to complete your security package. Carbon monoxide sensors offer security from the invisible menace of this gas, while flood and freeze sensors add an additional layer of protection for the home. There are options to install security cameras that you can monitor from your computer or cell phone and the two-way voice system allows you to speak with the monitoring center anywhere in your home. These comprehensive security features provide you, the homeowner, and your family with the peace of mind that you need.

It has become an industry standard that home security systems make use of motion detectors throughout the home. These can even be purchased as standalone items by consumers and installed in floodlights outside of the home to increase security. Motion detectors provide an important aspect to home security solutions, but they are far from the only one that should be incorporated into a comprehensive security solution. What else is available, you ask?

While motion detectors provide coverage throughout the room, they often ignore the area in immediate threat of a home invasion. By allowing burglars to enter the home, motion detectors have an inherent flaw. Magnetic contacts, on the other hand, will alert you when a window or door is opened when your security system is armed. In many cases, the system will even emit a “beep” when a door or window is opened while the system is disarmed. Using magnetic sensors is a vital part of ensuring that your home is safe and secure.

How do magnetic contacts operate? They work on a very simple principle. These contacts come in two parts, a base and the contact point. Whether you have recessed contacts or larger, exterior mounted contacts, they still operate on the same basic principle. A magnetic field is generated when these contacts are closed (when they are in proximity together). If this field is broken, the alarm system triggers an alarm event. It’s very simple; additionally, these contacts operate digitally and without wires, running on battery power. That means that they can be hidden away out of view, giving your home a cleaner look.

Installing a security system without the benefit of magnetic contacts is a poor solution to your security needs. In fact, this is one of the largest drawbacks to a self installed system (other than the lack of monitoring). Usually, a self installed, wireless security system relies on motion sensors to protect your home. While these sensors are an integral part of a comprehensive security solution, they are by no means the only option that should be installed. Magnetic contacts offer homeowners increase security and peace of mind, whether they are at home or away.

Quite a few security companies offer magnetic contacts as part of their security solutions. ADT, however, includes them in their packages at no additional cost. Other companies may charge extra for these lifesaving devices, but ADT feels that they form a vital part of a good security plan for any home. Professional installation ensures that all aspects of the system are installed properly, including the magnetic sensors.

If you are concerned about your home security, make sure that you purchase a system that includes magnetic door and window sensors. These should be installed on all entry doors, as well as any windows on ground level. This is the only way that you can attain the security that you need for your home and your family.