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.

Cameras are everywhere. Security companies offer cameras small enough to fit in your phone and affordable enough for almost everyone to own. Because of this, security cameras have become a more popular option for consumers, offering clandestine surveillance of almost any location.

Today customers can choose from many innovative technologies with which to protect their property. Retail stores can use visible, tamper-proof cameras to help deter robbery.  Banks and ATMs can use tiny cameras to record every transaction. Many cities are also turning to traffic light cameras to help enforce speed limits and traffic laws.

Cameras are also playing a bigger role in home security nowadays. Although many homes use cameras for outdoor security, more and more families are taking this technology inside.  A carefully placed camera inside the home can give parents peace of mind when they are away. Live video feeds offer a home view almost instantly. With the touch of a button parents can check up on their children, pets, or even monitor a babysitter or housekeeper.

With the Baby Boomers generation coming into retirement, families that have aging parents to care for are also using video surveillance more frequently. Quality home security cameras can be highly beneficial as well as potentially life saving. Monitored security systems and home alarms have the power to greatly reduce the time it would take for a fire, health, or other emergency professional to get to a loved-one’s residence.

In the end, it really doesn’t matter what your home situation is or what you are most concerned about protecting or monitoring.  There are a number of useful security technologies available from reputable companies. Invest in the home security options that make you the most comfortable, and the safest.

All home security monitoring companies aren’t created equal. There are significant differences in the services offered by each, and when you are deciding between providers, there are some essential questions that you need answered. After all, we’re talking about something serious here: the safety of both your family and your physical property. Below, find five important questions to ask when you’re searching for the perfect home alarm company.

How Long Have You Been in Business?
Is this a relatively new start-up with minimal experience in the field?  If you are going to invest in a service or product you want to make sure the company has staying power.  With 135 years in the business, ADT has robust resources to offer you for the best home security available.

What Comes With Your Basic Package?
The most basic home security package should come equipped with everything you need to stay protected. ADT includes a pet-sensitive motion detector, 3 entryway contacts, and a backup battery with their least expensive offering.

How Many Command Centers Do You Employ?
Most companies use just one command center. While it’s unlikely that it will suffer a complete knockout during your reliance on their service, why take the chance? ADT spreads the risk around across five closely connected control centers.

Can You Install Two Way Voice?
In the event of a slip or fall, a few minutes can make all the difference in getting your elderly loved ones the treatment they need. With ADT’s Two Way Voice technology, the control panel is transformed into a two way radio which can be used to communicate with an ADT representative. From there, the appropriate help can be immediately dispatched to your home.

Do You Offer Cell Phone Based Service?
As a testament to its commitment to the ever-evolving home security industry, ADT now offers Cellguard technology, designed specifically for customers who don’t have a land line installed in their home. In the event of an emergency, the wireless home alarm sends a signal directly to a trained professional over the airwaves, ensuring a rapid response. Competitors won’t have this for years.

The number of elderly women who choose to live independently is growing each year.  This means that home security for this population is more important than ever. In addition to the already frightening chances of home intrusion and theft, elderly populations are at an increased risk for in-home accidents. Because of this, it is crucial for seniors to remain vigilant with regard to their personal safety, even if they have had no issues living alone in the past.  Here are five tips for keeping your golden years safe.

1. Make the routine chores easy.  If cleaning and cooking are a part of your everyday life, keep the preparations simple.  Don’t hide one or two ingredients in hard-to-reach cabinets above or below. Try to keep routine items at eye level to avoid accidents.

2. Be mindful in your bathroom.  Home security begins and ends in the bathroom for elderly women.  Watch out for any leaks which can make the floor slippery. Safety bars should be installed next to the shower and toilet, along with rubber mats to be used on the shower floor.

3. Use your home security system wisely. There are a number of features you can use on your home alarm which immediately boost safety. One example is the automatic lights when you enter your home. Keeping the area bright upon entry is essential.

4. Don’t continue with hard-to-turn knobs and switches.  To keep hands and wrists from straining on a daily basis, consider swapping difficult faucets, door knobs or light switches for more ergonomic options. Reducing unnecessary stress on your joints can go a long way in reducing the risk of accidents.

5. Consider a medical alert device like the ones being offered by ADT.  Whether or not you have had a medical emergency in the past, these alert systems can save your life in the coming New Year.  An intercom system allows for communication in case of a fall, along with a one-touch emergency button to be worn around the wrist.

Senior citizens face unique challenges. After all, it’s an unfortunate fact that life usually doesn’t get any easier with age. Health problems, a smaller budget, and a decreased awareness of surroundings can all contribute to a greater risk of danger, both inside and outside of the home. Luckily, there’s an affordable answer: a home alarm system. Easily installed and maintained, a home alarm system can provide an elegant solution for each of these issues.

Health Risks: As our bodies grow older, they become more susceptible to sudden failure. ADT has features available with its home security package that can help protect senior citizens. Plus, ADT provides continuous security monitoring from four interconnected command centers that are strategically located throughout the United States.

Easily Affordable: On average, senior citizens live on a more modest budget than younger folks. Pensions, social security, and 401K’s have to combine to replace the steady income that disappears after retirement. It is best to find a home alarm system that is a completely cost-effective method of protecting your property. You may even be eligible for a discount if you belong to AARP.

Decreased Awareness of Surroundings: Older folks can sometimes lose a step as the years pass. A home security system can help make up for this, providing an extra layer of protection. One example of this is that your home alarm system won’t successfully arm until all windows are closed; emitting a loud beep that lets you know there is an open entry point.

The elderly deserve the protection a home alarm system can provide. ADT has been protecting American homes and businesses for over 130 years.  This is one reason why ADT is America’s #1 choice for home security.

I was reading some online news the other day when I came across on article about an elderly woman who had been the victim of a violent burglary. My heart was shaken by the story. I could not help but be saddened by the woman’s situation.

This situation is not an isolated incident. Across the country there are seniors living alone or with a companion that do not have adequate security. Often when these people become the victim of a violent break-in the perpetrator is from the neighborhood or knows that the home is occupied by seniors.

There are some things that seniors can do to make sure that they are protected from this type of crime. Here are a couple of quick tips for seniors:
•    Have your locks checked and replace any locks that are not of good quality or are not working.
•    When you leave the home make sure that you are accompanied by family and friends. This can minimize the potential of an attack as you leave the residence.
•    Do not open the door for anyone other than trusted friends and family.
•    If someone comes to the door for official business whether it be to drop off a package or check the meter ask for ID and call their company to verify there presence at your home.
•    Do not leave any keys outside the home under mats, in key holders, or under a plant. These are prime locations for people to look for keys to enter your home.

The most important thing that you can do to secure the home and protect senior residents is to invest in a home security system. I am a firm believer in keeping our independence as we age. Installing a security system with monitoring services can give your family the peace of mind that your home will be monitored 24 hours a day 7 days a week. It can allow you to rest easy and enjoy your time spent at home without fear of a break-in.

When looking for a home security system, find a trusted name in the industry such as ADT Security Services, Brinks, or Honeywell. ADT Security Services is the leading name in home security around the globe. Millions of customers are protecting themselves with their Safewatch QuickConnect system.

All of these systems work in generally the same way. If an alert is detected the monitoring center is contacted. A security associate will contact the number on file to verify the alarm and dispatch any local emergency response teams that are necessary. This all happens within a short timeframe which is much quicker than if you called 9-1-1 yourself. When selecting a system, investigate the company’s ability to monitoring the home. Most companies only have one monitoring center which can potentially leave your home unprotected. ADT Security Services has a total of five centers to make sure you truly get 24 hour coverage.

The ADT Safewatch home security systems have one important added benefit to seniors that companies such as Brinks cannot offer. Seniors can have difficulty getting to the telephone in a quick timeframe. This does not need to be a concern if ADT needs to verify an alarm. The control panel that is used with this system has built-in capabilities to speak with an ADT associate via speakerphone. The homeowner can be up to 75 feet away for the ADT associate to hear them which is an incredible range.

Another great feature of an ADT home security system is the instant call buttons for fire, police and medical. These buttons can be a lifesaver in the event of a medical emergency. When the user hits the button emergency response teams will be dispatched to the location.

As you can see it is still possible for our seniors to live a safe and healthy life in their own homes. A quick and easy installation of a home security system such as the ADT Safewatch system can provide comfort and security. Your senior will never be alone while their home is being monitored and you can rest assured that if a problem arises help will be on the way.