Nowadays, cell phones are more of a necessity than a luxury. In addition to the bells and whistles of smart phones, they offer the reassurance of being able to easily dial emergency services. But these helpful tools can also be distracting and compromise your safety if you aren’t careful. Follow these tips to help ensure your personal security while using your cell:

• No hands: Consider using hands-free technology like a Bluetooth device for times when you’re driving or can’t handle the distraction of a phone.

• Keep it close: Make your cell phone hard to get to by keeping it in an inside pocket jacket or hard-to-access area on your body.

• Lock  it down: Use the security lock so that in case someone else gets a hold of it, they won’t get any of your or your contacts’ personal information.

• Never loan it: Never let a stranger borrow your cell phone for an emergency call. If they need to call emergency services, call them for them to avoid having them run off with your phone.

• Be aware: Don’t get so caught up in a cell phone conversation that you’re completely unaware of what’s going on around you.

Just because you’re an adult doesn’t mean that inter-generational care is no longer a concern. Prepare for the long-term care that many aging parents require by considering the following:

• Qualified caregivers: Whether it’s a nurse in a senior assisted living facility or a live-in caregiver, make sure that the person who cares for your parent is well-qualified and trustworthy.

• Home security: Install a home alarm system in your parent’s home and make sure they know how to use it. Two-way voice capability of systems like ADT can be especially helpful.

• Emergency funds: Set aside money for medical emergencies and other emergencies that happen more often among the elderly.

• Accessibility: Can your aging parent easily access common household items like the washer and dryer and refrigerator? Also, evaluate how they can overcome hard-to-navigate barriers to other parts of the house like stairs.

• Personal security: Look into personal monitoring receivers that can be worn on a necklace, so your parent has an easy way to get help in the case of a fall or emergency.

Sudden summer downpours and thunderstorms can momentarily ruin the fun of outdoor adventures. But most people don’t worry about the dangers of lightning until it begins raining. However, if you can hear thunder, you’re within striking distance, so be sure to follow these lightning safety tips while you’re enjoying the great outdoors this summer.

• Stop at first sound: Quit all outdoor activities at the first sound of thunder so everyone has time to find cover.

• Seek shelter: Find a fully enclosed building with a roof, walls, and plumbing or wiring, and stay there.

• Keep away from plumbing, electronics:  If lightning strikes the building it will travel through the wiring or plumbing, and therefore go through any water or electronics in the building. Don’t try to disarm your home alarm system. Some, including ADT, have back-up batteries in the event of a power outage.

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.

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.