Activating your ADT alarm system before you leave home isn’t the only preparation you need to help protect you and your family at big sporting events. Keep these tips in mind the next time you’re cheering on the team so an accident doesn’t spoil a great win:

• Guard against flying objects: Watch for fly balls, tires or any other sporting equipment while sitting in the stands. Also be sure to look out for your children’s sake, as well.

• Dress for the weather: Don’t go to a baseball game without sunscreen or a the Super Bowl in a T-shirt. Check weather conditions ahead of time and bring appropriate items.

• Watch your valuables: Keep your valuables in pockets inside your clothing or in hard-to-reach compartments. Just because everyone is cheering together doesn’t mean that there aren’t people looking for loopholes in your personal security.

A beautiful lawn and garden can seem like the perfect place for children to play, but there are many overlooked hazards that compromise home safety lurking among the foliage and the tools you use to make it beautiful. Extend the protection that ADT offers to your green pride and joy with these tips.

* Bodies of water: Fence in and educate children about water gardens and ponds as drowning hazards.

* Plants: Keep play areas free of plants with thorns or prickly parts. Also tell children not to eat anything found in the garden because some common plants are toxic.

* Fertilizers: Lock fertilizers and other substances away from a child’s reach, and teach them not to eat them. Also wash your hands before handling food.

* Insects: Plant insect-attracting plants away from play areas.

* Tools: Store sharp tools behind locked doors when not in use and teach children to stay away from them.

Having a dog can be a great addition to your home security system in helping ward off potential intruders. But puppies can get into all kinds of trouble around the house, so when you decide to adopt a furry friend, follow these tips to help keep your puppy safe.

* Guard heat sources: Never leave a space heater or open flame unattended with your puppy. Put up screens or barriers around sources like radiators and fireplaces. Also be sure that smoke detectors and any heat sensors as part of a home alarm system are working properly.

* Hide chemicals: Put chemicals and any household cleaners away so that your puppy won’t be tempted to taste them.

* Keep cords out of reach: Your puppy may confuse a colorful cord from your favorite electronic appliance with a chew toy so keep them out of his or her reach, and sight if possible.

Falls are a huge safety concern for older adults and according to the Center for Disease Control, they are the biggest cause of injury deaths in that demographic. These items are great additions to any bathroom to help prevent falls and other injuries.

* Grab bars: Install them in places near the tub and toilet at the appropriate height for the resident.

* Higher toilet seat: Help make going to the restroom less of a chore with a toilet seat that is easier to sit on and rise from.

* Rug-free floors: It’s best to avoid using floor rugs. But if it’s necessary, make sure they are non-skid.

* Smoke detectors: Check that smoke and carbon monoxide detectors have properly working batteries. Consider purchasing heat sensors as part of a home security system so residents will have more time to get out in less of rush in case of a fire.

* Hand-held shower and bench: Make unassisted showering easier with an easily-installed bench and hand-held shower head.

Concentrate on enjoying your new family member rather than fretting about his or her safety while they rest. Follow these guidelines to help make your nursery safe.

• Crib: Make sure the crib is assembled properly with no loose parts or screws and that the mattress fits tightly into the frame. Crib slats should be close enough together so that a baby’s body can’t fit in between them.

• Outlet plugs: Put safety plugs in all outlets that are not in use.

• Smoke detectors: Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in the room. Also consider a home alarm system like ADT that can include heat sensors.

• Safe sleepwear: Dress your baby in flame-resistant or snug-fitting sleepwear. Don’t place stuffed animals or pillows in the crib and opt for sleepers rather than blankets to help prevent asphyxiation.

• Child locks: Secure choking hazards of toys and potentially poisonous cleaning products with child safety locks.

No matter what big city you’re heading to for vacation – New York, Atlanta or somewhere abroad – it’s important to remember that seemingly friendly situations can take a turn when you’re not familiar with your surroundings. Use caution when you’re out of town and away from the comfort of your home alarm system. Follow these helpful safety tips and have fun in the big city:

• Avoid bringing valuables: Avoid wearing flashy, expensive-looking jewelry that will get the attention of potential thieves. Put any valuable papers or passports in your hotel’s safe deposit box. Never leave them in your room.

• Keep bags close: Carry wallets in inside pockets instead of in your rear pants pocket. Carry your pocketbook close to your body when walking, keep it in your lap while dining out or seated anywhere in public, and leave credit cards and cash in your pockets.

• Use verified vehicles: If you need a car service contact a company directly. Never enter a solicited vehicle offering to take you to your destination for a fee. According to the NYPD, in New York City yellow medallion taxis are the only vehicles allowed to pick up fares on the street.

Whether you’re cleaning out the gutters or hanging holiday lights, don’t pull a Clark Griswold in “Christmas Vacation” by having an extension ladder fold up on you. Follow these tips to ensure that home safety extends past your ADT home alarm system.

• Cleat: Create or buy a 2×4 cleat, drive two stakes into the group and screw the cleat into the steaks to help steady the ladder.

• Good standing: Place the ladder on clear, level, dry ground only. Avoid snow, mud and ice.

• ¼ rule: Stand the ladder from the house one-fourth of the distance of its height.

• No outer limits: Don’t over- reach or out-reach while using the ladder.

Road trips take lots of planning, so when you’re mapping out your route and the stops along the way, make sure to prepare with these tips to help promote family safety and fun.

• Get a tune-up: Get your car serviced by a certified mechanic so you won’t have to deal with surprising auto problems while out on the open road.

• Prepare for the worst: Pack an emergency kit with a cell phone, flares, water, blanks, a flashlight, a first-aid kit and tools to change a tire.

• Lock up at home: Make sure your home and valuables inside are secure with a home alarm system. Ask neighbors to pick up your mail daily and alert you to any suspicious activity around your home.

• Sleep restfully: Never drive without a good night’s rest and switch driving duty with an adult every few hours.

• Take breaks: Even those who are along for the ride need a break every once in a while. Plan stops so everyone can have bathrooms breaks and time to stretch their legs.

When it comes to emergencies it’s always best to be prepared – which means having security measures like a home alarm system. But it’s also important to have a plan. If your family doesn’t already have a fire drill plan, make sure to implement one with these simple steps:

1. Make a plan: Draw a map of the house, mark two exits for each room and decide where you will meet in the event of a fire. Post 911 and emergency numbers by each phone.
2. Test smoke alarms: Make sure all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and heat sensors  are functioning properly.  If you have an ADT home security system,it’s easy to upgrade the system to monitor for these emergencies. You should also regularly check to make sure monitors have working batteries.
3. Clear exit routes: Check that all windows and doors are easily opened from the inside and all marked exits are clear.
4. Do a walk-through: Go through the plan slowly so each member will know how to execute it in a real-life situation.
5. Practice the drill: Watch children to make sure that they exit the house appropriately and practice the drill as if there is actually a fire.
6. Talk it over: Work through any kinks of the drill’s execution and post the plan on your fridge.

Moving into a new place can be exciting, but just because you’re renting doesn’t mean you should forget about home security precautions that homeowners typically follow.

• Points of entry: All windows and doors should lock properly. Alert your landlord if they are damaged or seem faulty.

• Deadbolt required: A deadbolt that opens with a key from the outside is a must for any home. One on your bedroom door can also slow down an intruder from getting to your valuables inside.

• Lock changes: Some landlords will re-key properties when renters change. If your landlord won’t re-key your lock, it’s worth paying the money yourself to keep a former tenant from burglarizing your home.

• Monitoring services: Some rentals come equipped with a home security system provided by the landlord. Make sure that you know how to use and activate the system.