The changing weather presents many challenges for homeowners. From the potential doom and gloom of hurricane season to the dangers that come along with heavy snowfall, people need to be aware of home security issues that could turn nasty quickly. Mother Nature can turn into a vicious killer in mere moments, so take note of the following situations and the accompanying ways to combat potential hazards.

Staying Safe During Hurricane Season: Residents of the Gulf Coast are well aware of the hazards associated with the height of hurricane season, but many don’t have an effective plan in place in case of the worst. Residents of Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas need to have a firm strategy for both maintaining home security, and evacuating, should it come to that. Hurricane Katrina exposed the weakness of local, state, and federal government; don’t expect them to come to your rescue if another storm strikes. An ADT home alarm system is a great way to secure your home, especially if your evacuation takes you out of state. With five interconnected command centers, you know that no matter where the weather strikes, your service won’t go down.

The Many Dangers of Snow: The white fluffy stuff is the stuff of legend, but it can wreak havoc in different ways. Major snowstorms can dump feet of snow on your roof, and older houses may not have the structural integrity to hold up all that extra weight. If you’re taking a respite from the cold and heading south on vacation, make sure to arrange for someone to shovel-there’s nothing like an unplowed driveway to signal burglars that a homeowner isn’t home. While you’re at it, make sure to set your ADT home security system as you trudge out.

Be Aware of Tornadoes: In the Midwest, the fall brings danger of a different sort. Unpredictable weather can result in powerful tornadoes. Make sure everyone in your family knows where to head in case of a sudden twister strike.

Respect the power of Mother Nature, and take precautions to mitigate the dangers. By following proper procedures, you can lower the risk of a weather related catastrophe.

The summer and its heat are reaching their climax in many parts of the country, and that means that kids will soon be returning to school. In just a few weeks, you’ll be busy with the annual rituals: shoe shopping, the habitual trips to office supply stores, and the hunt for the latest in teenage fashion. Amidst all this chaos, make sure not to forget that safety should be at the forefront. The beginning of the school year is a particularly dangerous time for children as they adapt to new habits. Here are some tips to avoid potential accidents and problems.

Go Over the Basics: It’s been a long, hot summer, and younger children may have forgotten some of the basics of both home security and safety outside of the home. Discuss the basic safety tips, such as talking to strangers and how to negotiate traffic properly. Remember that things that seem simple to you can be more complex to a child, so take the time to make sure they understand.

Perform Some Bus Stop Recon: Before your child’s first bus ride of the new school year, take them out to the stop, and scope out potential hazards. Make sure they understand how to safely wait for the bus, and how to cross the street without danger, if that’s a necessary maneuver.

Re-learn the Home Security System: Take a few moments to review the code to your home security system, as well as its operation. If your kids have been away at sleep away summer camp, there’s a good chance they may have forgotten the details.

Make Sure Freshmen Understand Your Expectations: You’ve waited for this day for 18 years, and now that it’s here, it seems bittersweet. You’re proud your child is heading off to continue their education, but nervous at the same time about all of the dangers that come with living away from home. Sit them down and talk about your expectations, including your thoughts on alcohol and drug use. It could be an uncomfortable conversation, but it’s a necessary one.

The school year is a fun time of reuniting with old friends and making new ones. In the middle of all this excitement, make sure to remember that safety and home security should come first.

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.