More than most industries, home security technology evolves out of necessity. Customers of companies like ADT expect the latest in home security equipment, and for good reason. After all, there’s nothing more important than keeping your home and loved ones out of harm’s way. Here’s an overview of the latest tech items for home security.

CCTV: Closed Circuit Television provides you with a view of the exterior (and potentially the interior) of your home from anywhere in the world. All you need is a broadband connection and a laptop. The days of peeking through a tiny peephole to determine who’s at the front door are gone. With 21st century technology, you can keep a much closer tab on your property.

Carbon Monoxide Detection: Available as an add-on to your ADT alarm system, a carbon monoxide detector protects you against what safety experts call “the silent killer”. CO2 is tasteless, odorless and you can’t see it. Protect yourself with this powerful technology, recommended by fire departments across the United States.

Keyless Door Locks: If you constantly lose your keys, consider upgrading to a keyless door lock. This useful technology completely eliminates the need to carry around a house key. As an added home security bonus, you can set a temporary code for workers or guests entering your house that expires after a certain period of time. That way, you won’t have to worry about unauthorized people gaining access to your home.

It’s time to update your home security technology. Along with the advanced electronics in your ADT home alarm system, the pieces mentioned above can help to protect your home, before a break-in occurs.

The snow outside your house is rapidly melting, and that means March is on the way. This prelude to the spring time is a great opportunity to get your home security affairs in order. Below, we’ve outlined several ways to boost your home security in the coming month.

Create an Emergency Action Plan: Having a set plan to act upon in the event of an emergency can save lives. Apart from the standard fire safety preparation, talk about a place to meet away from home if a natural disaster should strike, knocking out cell phone service and limiting communications.

Trim the bushes: Warm spring temperatures and melting snow means that you’ll soon have to contend with rapidly sprouting grass. This and other shrubbery make for excellent hiding spots for burglars and intruders, which can turn into a home security nightmare.

Talk to an ADT Specialist: If your home isn’t currently under the protective shield of an ADT home alarm system, contact a representative of the company to find out your options. If you are an ADT customer, call to find out what new options are available to make your home even more secure.

Change the Locks on Your Front Door: This should become an annual event, and there’s no better time than March. Throughout the hustle and bustle of daily life, you likely give you a key to a neighbor, housekeeper or friend. Who knows whether someone’s written your address on a tag, and then lost the key? Eliminate the possibility of a break-in by changing the lock cylinders.

Home security is an ongoing battle, but choosing a set date to focus on it will help you focus. Take a day in March to get yourself back on track to keeping your family safe.

Single parents have their own unique set of challenges when it comes to keeping their kids safe. There’s often no one that can provide a second opinion for home security decisions. Below, we’ve outlined ten tips for you to think about as you take steps to improve your child’s safety both inside and outside of the home.

Avoid Busy Bus Stops: A ball rolling into the street, forgotten glances both ways: there are any number of things that can go wrong while your child waits for the bus. If your child’s bus stop is in a busy spot, have them wait in the car, or drive them to school.

Have a Serious Talk About Home Security: Your son or daughter is old enough to hear the basics of home security. Tailor it to their age, but make sure to remain serious, impressing upon them how important home security is.

Install a Keypad Lock: Kids lose keys all the time. With the installation of a keypad lock, you can greatly reduce the chance of your child being locked out of your home.

Enlist the Family: Make Grandpa and Grandma and aunts and uncles part of your home security solution. Every little bit helps, and you’ll likely find that they’re happy to lend a hand.

Install an ADT Home Alarm System: No other home security provider in the industry has the experience and know-how that ADT offers. Their systems are so easy to learn that a child can be taught how to operate the control panel.

Cover Sharp Edges: Furniture often has sharp edges that can injure young children running around the house. Tape up pieces to avoid lacerations.

Get a Dog: Apart from the joy that a dog can bring into your home, there are real home security advantages that come along with a canine. Criminals will move to the next street when they hear the faintest bark, unwilling to contend with what could be a vicious pet.

Arrange Daycare: You don’t need to pay for someone to watch your children. Instead, set up a schedule with the parents of your children’s friends, saving everyone money and making sure that there is always an adult to supervise.

Add Carbon Monoxide Coverage: ADT home alarm systems offer optional carbon monoxide coverage. This silent killer is responsible for thousands of deaths each year; make sure your home is protected.

Plug Electrical Outlets: If you have younger children in your home, place cheap protective covers over electrical outlets to lower the risk of electrocution.

The installation of an ADT monitored home alarm system is a great way to immediately improve the security of your property, but there are additional measures you can take to improve key home security issues. Below, we’ve listed a few relatively easy Do-it-Yourself tips that can be taken care of in one afternoon.

Change Your Locks: Home security experts recommend changing your locks once every two years if you’re a homeowner, and more frequently if you rent. You give out your home keys more than you might think; friends, family members and even the occasional repairman all may have been past recipients. That’s not counting the folks who may have accessed your key (and potentially made a copy) without you knowing.

Plant Some Prickly Bushes: Landscaping is fun, adds value to your home and creates something beautiful that you can be proud of. It can also be a burglar’s worst nightmare. Strategically placed rose bushes under first floor windows block access to entry points, enhancing your home security.

Install Floodlights: Thieves thrive in darkness. It provides them with the cover they need to perform recon on your home. Eliminate the possibility of them skulking through the night by installing motion sensing floodlights around the periphery of your home. They’re available at your local hardware store, putting them up is a cinch, and they’ll offer a great deal of bang for the buck.

Remove Your Hide-a-Key: Many homeowners place a key under a mat or air conditioning unit for ease and convenience in case they find themselves locked out. The trouble is, burglars know that too. By leaving a key exposed, you open yourself up to an increased risk of a break-in. If you’re the kind of person that frequently forgets their keys, consider installing a door lock with a fingerprint reader or digital keypad.

The tips above are the perfect supplement to your home security system. They’re easy, inexpensive, and can all be finished today, so get started right away!

When it comes to home security, there is a certain something to be said about strength in numbers. There are several components that come together to determine how well-protected your property is. The easiest to value are physical, like home alarm systems or improved bolt locks on all doors. Then there are the “intangibles”, things that can’t be boiled down to statistics and data.

One of the most powerful things you can do under this second category comes with the establishment of a neighborhood watch group. Your house, as it stands, is just one part of a larger community. By bringing the other homes in your neighborhood into a collective security agreement, you ensure that crime won’t have a chance of taking hold.

Start small: invite your neighbors into your home for a short meeting about home security. This will likely be a get-together that people will be very willing to attend. Compose a short agenda, talking about the major points of home protection, such as the importance of maintaining lawns, locking doors, and reporting suspicious behavior around the neighborhood. Talk to your local police department; they will likely be thrilled to send out an officer to talk to the group.

A neighborhood watch group is especially important for maintaining home security while you’re away on vacation. Let your friends in surrounding homes know of your vacation plans ahead of time. That way, if they spot something out of the ordinary, they can take the appropriate steps to stop a crime before it happens.

Security and safety start inside your house with concrete measures like the installation of an ADT monitored home alarm system, but it doesn’t stop there. With the help of the other property owners that live in your neighborhood, you can keep your home even better protected from intruders.

When people think about their home alarm system, the first thing that usually comes to mind is the image of a burglar crashing through a window or busting through a door. Intrusion is certainly something that every responsible property owner needs to consider and confront as they ponder home security, but there are other hazards as well. One of the most potent is a silent, deadly killer: carbon monoxide.

Carbon monoxide is a seriously toxic gas, and one that is virtually impossible for a human being to detect until it’s too late. It is odorless, tasteless, and colorless. Large amounts of CO can kill within minutes, while smaller concentrations can build up and cause long term damages if breathed in over time. Either way, an effective method of detection is extremely important.

As an important part of your home security system, carbon monoxide detectors give you warning before levels reach a dangerous point. This can give you enough time to ventilate an area and bring in fresh air to lessen the amount of CO in a room.

Sometimes, however, that’s not enough. What if you’ve already been incapacitated by the time the alarm goes off? If you’re protected by an ADT monitored home alarm system with optional carbon monoxide detection, you have an additional layer of security. That’s because, in the event of an emergency, highly trained technicians at one of ADT’s five interconnected command centers across the country are automatically notified. From there, they can contact the appropriate local authorities to ensure a rapid and effective response. When it comes to carbon monoxide poisoning, every second matters; ADT knows that, and works to deliver the help you need as quickly as possible.

Homeowners should take carbon monoxide seriously as one of the main potential hazards around the property. With the help of ADT, you can greatly reduce the chance of your family coming to harm at the expense of CO.

1. Home Security is Affordable: At these prices, you virtually can’t afford to leave your home unprotected. For just a little more than a dollar per day, you can give your home the finest home security monitoring that money can buy.

2. Technology is changing: As technology evolves, so are the techniques of the criminal community. It has never been more important to stay ahead of crime with an innovative, cutting edge system.

3. Decals are a Deterrent: A cleverly placed sticker on your window or post in your lawn can let criminals know that your home is not an easy target. Let them know that they are dealing with a reputable company with more than 130 years of experience.

4. Your Home is Vulnerable While You’re Out of Town: Many folks don’t realize just how susceptible their home is to a break-in while they’re traveling. Criminals scout out unoccupied residences, waiting to pounce once the resident is out of town.

5. Insurance Doesn’t Cut It: Home insurance does protect against theft, but there will likely be a gap in what you believe your possessions are worth, and what your insurer pays you. The installation of a home security system will also almost always result in lower insurance payments each month.

6. Your Family Deserves It: More than your possessions think about your loved ones. They should be protected by the very best in home alarm technology and service.

7. Fire and Carbon Monoxide: Criminals aren’t the only things that put your family at risk. ADT home alarm systems offer both fire and carbon monoxide detection.

8. Fast Response Time: When an emergency occurs, seconds matter. ADT leads the industry in response time, meaning that local police, fire, and medical services will be there ASAP.

9. Installation is Easy: Many homeowners are daunted by the prospect of a complicated ordering and installation process. That couldn’t be further from the truth. From the beginning of your dealings with ADT, you’ll be impressed by the professionalism and knowledge of the sales representatives and technicians. They’ll answer all of your questions in easy to understand terms.

10. Peace of Mind: Lastly, think about your own peace of mind. Sleep easy knowing that you have the best in home security protecting your property.

Most residents of New York City wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. The Big Apple, with all of its people and excitement, can feel like the center of the universe. Of course, with all of that excitement comes danger, in the form of burglaries and home intrusions.

The New York Police Department (NYPD) publishes crime statistics weekly, and a quick glance at the data shows that continued vigilance is necessary. For the week of January 11-17, for example, there were more than 1000 grand larcenies and burglaries across the city. Avoid being one of those affected by adhering to the following home security tips for your New York City home.

Install a Home Alarm System: Alarms are important for New Yorkers, whether they live in apartments, townhomes, or houses. Installing an award-winning brand can make a real difference in your protection.

Change Your Locks: Many New Yorkers live in rental units. This begs the question: how many people had access to those keys before you moved in? Avoid a potential problem by changing the locks on your door each time you rent a new apartment. In fact, you can ask your landlord to perform this service for you, often free of charge.

Meet Your Neighbors: They’re not there just to socialize; the neighbors across the hall can be a powerful part of your home security plan. Have a candid discussion about what home security means to you. Encourage them to call you and the police if they spot suspicious behavior. It’s always better to respond to a false alarm than do nothing in the face of an emergency.

New York City is one of the most wonderful places on Earth. Don’t take any chances with your home security, and you’ll always be able to enjoy it.

The cold temperatures outside are no excuse to ignore your home security and safety. Property owners need to take special care to avoid potential disaster. Below, we’ve outlined ten of the top tips for keeping your home safe from the first freeze to the first thaw.

Don’t Be Afraid to Spread Some Salt: One hard fall can be the beginning of a lifetime of injuries. When the temperatures dip below freezing, spread rock salt liberally on walkways to avoid a tumble.

Have Your Home Inspected by an Expert: From faulty furnaces to blocked fireplace flues, there are hazards throughout your home. If you haven’t had an expert inspect your home yet this year, it’s not too late.

Drive Your Children to School on the Coldest Days: In the northern reaches of the United States, the coldest days of the year can mean a high risk of frostbite within minutes of exposure to the air. Drop your kids off at school rather than having them wait for the bus.

Have Someone Take in Your Mail: If you go away on vacation, have a friend or neighbor take in your mail and newspapers.

Protect your pipes: When the temperatures really start to drop, open a slow drip in a couple of faucets around the home to prevent burst pipes. The added cost to your water bill is nothing compared to plumbing expenses after a catastrophe.

Join a Carpool: Why drive if you can avoid it? Talk to neighbors and co-workers about carpooling. This not only saves energy but allows you to keep your car parked in your driveway; a clear sign to criminals that someone may be home.

Use Care With Fires: Your fireplace is a great way to stay warm during the winter, but take steps to make sure it is under control. Keep the glass closed, and don’t build the blaze past a reasonable level. Also look into a home alarm system that monitors carbon monoxide.

Install an ADT Monitored Home Security System: Short winter days give criminals the opportunity to take cover in the darkness. Make sure you have a home alarm you can trust.

Have you been contemplating 2010 improvements for your Houston, Texas home? One of the most important improvements you can make is the installation of a home alarm system. In these uncertain times, there’s simply no better way to protect your family and precious possessions. With over 130 years of experience, ADT offers Texas residents the peace of mind that comes from knowing your home alarm system is the product of over a century of experience in the home security business.

As one of the largest cities in Texas, Houston has a relatively high incidence of crime, especially in the downtown area. The latest monthly statistics show over 12,000 acts of theft or burglary in the month of November 2009 alone. This is clearly a statistic that every homeowner needs to take seriously.

How can the installation of a home security system help keep you protected against crime in Houston? The first part of the equation is deterrence. When a criminal sees the familiar ADT decal, he knows that your home is not going to be an easy target.

The main benefit, of course, is ADT’s award-winning technology. Standard ADT monitored security systems come equipped with innovative, cutting-edge features that lead the industry. Two-Way Voice, for example, is perfect for older Houston residents. This feature allows a homeowner to communicate with a trained home security professional from nearly anywhere in the house in the event of an emergency.

Have you recently ditched your landline in favor of your cell phone? Texas homeowners without access to land lines can still enjoy ADT products. Unlike other home security companies, ADT accommodates these customers with CellTech, eliminating the need for a hard line through the use of cellular technology.

Protect your Houston, TX home with the most powerful solution on the market — ADT. No other security system can offer the same level of protection.