Spring is here. That means its time to update your garden – and your home security. While weather-related home security issues decrease in the spring, it’s important to update your home for other potential dangers like burglary and fire.

Always remember to activate your home security system. Most burglaries occur during the day when people are at school or work. Make activating the home alarm part of your morning routine. People too often install a home alarm and forget to use it. Leading home security providers like ADT connect your home to security centers that monitor your home 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Spring is also the perfect time to check the batteries in your home’s smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. You can upgrade your ADT home security system to including monitoring for both.

There are some easy ways to improve your home security while improving the look of your lawn, too. Check for overgrown bushes and shrubs near windows. Burglars often use these areas to hide as they work on gaining access to your home. By trimming bushes and keeping areas near windows and doors clear, you can make your home less appealing to criminals.

If you haven’t invested in a home alarm, spring is the time to do it. It’s a great way to increase your home’s security before taking off for that next family vacation.

Thousands of Americans invest in home security each year by installing a monitored home alarm. And there’s definitely something to be said about the extra protection a home alarm can provide. After all, if someone breaks in and nothing happens, they are far more likely to grab all of your belongings and take their time as they search for valuables. But if they break your window and an alarm sounds, that’s their cue to get out as quickly as possible.

Even with the obvious benefits of installing an alarm, there are still factors to consider if you want to keep your entire house as secure as possible. First, you have to remember to set your home alarm – no matter what. It seems like a no-brainer but plenty of people have fallen victim to burglaries because they forgot to activate their home security system.

You also have to remember to shut and lock all doors and windows. If something is ajar, a robber can work his way into your home without worrying about an alarm sounding. And this is just as important for basement and garage doors as it is for the front door.

If you’re investing in an alarm, make it known. Homes with monitored home security systems are three times less likely to be burglarized. So put those ADT stickers and yard signs on full display. It can serve as a great way to deter burglars.

When it comes to home security, there are special factors to consider if you’re a woman living alone. After all, more break-ins occur at households with only one resident, primarily because it’s a easier to figure out the schedule of a home or apartment when there’s just one occupant. Here are the top 5 safety tips for women to maximize home security.

1. Invest in a home alarm. Installing a home alarm system is a great way to improve your overall safety and security. This is especially helpful for the times you’re going to be out of the house. A number of different brands are known for their reliability and good performance, but ADT home security is the national leader.

2. Don’t make it obvious that you live alone. This might sound counter-intuitive, but you don’t have to advertise the fact that no one else is there. Say “we” on your answering machine -as in, “We can’t come to the phone right now.” And don’t let people you date know that you don’t have a roommate until you really get to know them.

3. Leave a key with a trusted friend or relative. Even if you’re not going out of town, it’s a good idea for a close friend to have a key to your home. If there’s ever any trouble, they can come by and help you out. Home security isn’t just about keeping bad guys out – it’s also about making sure you can get into your own place.

4. Keep your lights on. When you leave home, strategically leave two or three lights on around your home. Choose different lights every few days, so it doesn’t look too routine. This will give your home a more “lived in” appearance and will help deter burglars.

5. Don’t forget to set your home alarm. Whether you go with an ADT alarm or another brand, there’s no point investing in an alarm if you’re not even going to to turn it on. Make it a habit to activate your home alarm every time you leave the house.

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.

Tourists come to Las Vegas to gamble. Residents stay here to earn a living and raise a family, and they can’t afford to take risks like leaving their home unattended, and without the protection of an ADT home security system. As a relatively large city with a population breaching one million, crime is inevitable, and you need to take every precaution possible to make sure it doesn’t affect your home and loved ones.

The 2003 FBI Report of Offenses Known to Law Enforcement listed close to 13,000 burglaries in the city of Las Vegas, NV, along with more than 30,000 larcenies and thefts. Avoid becoming a statistic with one of the many home security systems from ADT. Once your system is installed and armed, your family will be much better protected.

ADT home security systems offer protection on two different levels. First, there is the benefit of deterrence. Along with the sophisticated technology of your home alarm system, upon installation you’ll receive a set of lawn signs and window decals to post around your property. These serve to let criminals know that your house or apartment is guarded, and that it’s time to move on down the road.

Of course, you also benefit from the power of the ADT home alarm itself. A standard system comes with a wireless keypad, three points of protection and a high-decibel siren that will help drive intruders away in the event of a break-in. Of course, your Las Vegas home security system is also tied directly to the LVPD, so you can rest assured that you’ll get a fast response.

For your home security needs in Las Vegas, NV, turn to ADT. Put more than 135 years of industry leading service to use for your family in the entertainment capital of the world.

Traveling and experiencing new places is one of the most exciting parts of life. Leaving your home, however, can present a need for increased security. Home security is relatively easy, because you perform the same routine, day after day. For example, each morning when you leave your house or apartment, you arm your ADT home alarm system. When traveling abroad or in the United States, there’s no comparable safety net. Start preparing for your next trip with these top safety tips for travelers.

Research Your Destination: Gather some basic info about where you’re going. If it’s somewhere remotely dangerous, check the State Department’s website for warnings.

Have a Backup Plan: Recent natural disasters in Haiti, Italy, Thailand and Indonesia have shown us that catastrophic events can strike anywhere, anytime. Make sure you have a backup plan at all times in case of emergency.

Carry Insurance: Travel insurance can be a great idea for a big trip. Add to basic coverage with a package that pays for evacuation by helicopter or jet.

Travel With a Friend or Family Member: Help reduce the risk of an accident by traveling with someone else. That’s in addition to the joy you’ll share experiencing new things with someone you care about.

Avoid Alcohol and Drugs: You never want to let your guard down while you’re away from home. Be cautious and avoid drugs and alcohol.

Arm Your Home Security System: Your ADT home alarm system is only effective if it’s armed. Make sure you set the control panel before you leave your property.

Keep Up Appearances at Home: Performing basic home security tasks like having the mail taken in and keeping your driveway shoveled will create the impression that you’re still in your home, which is a huge deterrent to would-be criminals.

Don’t Draw Attention to Yourself: Flashy jewelry and rowdy behavior makes you a target. Remember that you’re not in Kansas anymore, and do your best to blend into the scenery.

Traveling safely is an important extension of home security. Make sure you are focused on safety both inside and outside of the home.

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.

Texas residents are proud of their heritage – and with good reason. People pioneered this state with their own hands, often in the heat of battle. That lineage still rings true today, as more and more Texans become increasingly aware of home security issues.

A responsible homeowner will take into account the following statistics as he or she contemplates home security. According to the 2003 FBI Report of Offenses Known to Law Enforcement, there were more than 25,000 burglaries during the calendar year. If that’s not enough to convince you to bolster your home security, consider that there were also nearly 75,000 larcenies and thefts. These statistics make one thing clear: securing your Houston, Texas home should be a top priority.

So what’s your best option for drastically improving your home security? The most powerful weapon in a homeowner’s arsenal is an ADT home alarm system. For more than 135 years, ADT has helped keep people across the U.S. safe. They lead the home alarm industry in both technology and training, which means that you can be sure your Houston, Texas family has the best protection that money can buy.

Of course, there are other considerations to take into account. Houston homeowners need to always make sure to lock doors and windows, especially when leaving the home. They should also never leave blinds open – visible and expensive items like flat screen televisions and stereo systems are great ways to attract a burglar into breaking into your home.

With basic precautions and the installation of an ADT home alarm, Houston, Texas residents can stem the wave of crime that has recently marked the city. People living in the Lone Star State know what’s truly important, and home security measures are designed to protect those things.

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.

Homeowners across the broader Southwest region have watched as their neighbors go into foreclosure due to lost jobs and inflexible mortgage lenders. Unfortunately, some Phoenix, AZ homeowners may be ignoring their home security during this troubling time. Below, we’ve listed some tips to help you maintain your home throughout the recession.

Create a Neighborhood Watch Group: Talk to the homeowners around you about things you can do to keep up the neighborhood. Discuss group measures to preserve the appearance of the neighborhood, such as mowing lawns of unoccupied homes. It’s important that you show potential burglars that your block is still off-limits.

Install a Home Security System: One of the best ways to combat an intruder is with a home alarm system. Surprisingly affordable, this may be the most important thing you can do for your family and home security.

Change Your Locks: If you live in a rental, it’s important to change the locks when you move in. This is one of the simplest and least expensive home security measures in your arsenal, as well as one of the most effective. You can even ask your landlord to do it for you.

Remove Your Hide-a-Key: It’s amazing how many homeowners leave keys in easily accessible places. Think criminals are too stupid to look under your door mat? Think again. A safer alternative is a keypad door lock, which can be modified to accept a temporary code if you need to let someone in.

Home security for your Phoenix, AZ property has never been more important. Invest in some simple measures today, such as an ADT home alarm system, and you’ll be safe, rather than sorry.