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?

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.