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.

A deck can be the perfect place to experience the outdoors, but it can also become a hazard if not properly cared after. Keep loved ones safe this summer as you entertain on your home’s deck with these safety tips.

• Inspect regularly: Have a licensed and experienced deck contractor inspect it. If your deck is more than 10 years old, it’s best to schedule annual inspections. Also do visual inspections in between official ones for signs of wood rot, rusty hardware and movement.

• Protect against fire hazards: Place a non-flammable pad between your deck and anything that could start a fire like a fire pit, grill, chimney or candles. Make sure that your home alarm system and nearby smoke detectors are properly working so that enjoying your deck won’t compromise your home safety.

• Check vegetation: Visually inspect any landscaping near your deck you think may compromise the structure. Call a landscaper to deal with any that doesn’t meet your standards.

It’s easy to keep the party going  even after the sun sets with an outdoor fire pit. But take extra care in tending to the fire because indoor smoke detectors and ADT heat sensors won’t alert you to a fire outdoors. The interior of your home has the added protection of a home alarm system – keep the exterior of your home safe with these fire pit safety tips:

• Stake out a good spot: Place the pit on a level surface made of concrete, brick or stone that is at least 10 feet away from your house and other structures.

• Use proper fuel: Burn dry wood that was cut at least six months ago.

• Ignite safely: Don’t use gas, kerosene or lighter fluid to start the fire.

• Douse out: Keep a fire extinguisher (dry chemical extinguisher), or a bucket of water or sand to douse the fire in case of an emergency or when you’re ready to head inside.

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.

Hoarding has received a lot of attention lately through TV shows like A&E’s “Hoarders,” and media awareness, giving people the urge to organize their homes. A well-organized home is easy to enjoy, but there are a few more reasons to get in on the trend.

• Aesthetics: Even the most severe hoarders will admit that their piles of belongings look horrible. Be proud of a home that you work hard to maintain. It will encourage you to invite others over to enjoy it with you.

• Hidden treasures: There are probably many items you’ve either forgotten about or gave up on finding years ago because of clutter. Sort it out and  reap the rewards of finding lost items.

• Emergency exits: Home alarm systems, smoke detectors and other home security devices alert you when there’s an emergency. But that’s only part of keeping yourself safe. Clutter can get in the way of emergency exits and can drastically increase the time it takes you to exit your home.

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.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, as many as nine millions Americans’ identities are stolen each year. Identity theft can happen in a number of ways, and can hurt your credit report and score. The trail an identity thief leaves behind can be messy and lead to a complicated process of clearing it up.

Help protect your identity and improve  home security while you’re gone on vacation this year with these three easy tips:

1. Put a hold on newspaper and mail delivery: People often arrange for friends or family members to pick up mail periodically when they’re away, but if someone is watching your home they may notice that you’re not getting your mail and realize you’re away from home.
2. Notify your home security company: Utilize the service for which you’re paying and let your home alarm system provider like ADT know that you’ll be away so they’ll be even more alert when it comes to helping protect your home.
3. Tell your credit card companies your itinerary: If they know you’ll be in Greece, company representatives won’t be suspicious of your spending there, but they’ll notify you if someone is using your credit card number at home.

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.