ATM’s aren’t just convenient for you – they’re also convenient for potential thieves.  It’s easy to let your guard down when you’re outside the safety of your home and its security system. But when you’re at the ATM, it’s essential to keep your guard up and practice caution.

Be careful with these tips:

1. Prepare beforehand: Fill out all appropriate paperwork and endorse all checks before you go to the ATM. Time spent doing such things at the ATM is more time for someone to approach you.
2. Decrease temptation: Don’t wear expensive-looking jewelry or bring any overtly expensive-looking items that could make you a target.
3. Bring a friend: Avoid going to an ATM alone. It’s difficult to watch your surroundings and complete your bank transaction at the same time. Make sure that your friend accompanies you to the ATM.
4. Be aware: Keep watch of other people over your shoulder and decline any offers to help you complete your transaction. Shield the keypad and screen from others’ view.
5. Leave if you’re uncomfortable: If the area is dimly lit or looks suspicious, leave. The inconvenience of finding another ATM is worth not becoming a victim of crime.

For peace of mind at home order an ADT home alarm system now.

Fixer-upper homes aren’t for the faint of heart. If you’ve decided to take the plunge and put some hard work into your home, be smart about it. Take these steps to ensure that investing in a fixer-upper is worth your time and money.

* Determine your time line: Whether you’re trying to flip the house as soon as possible or gradually make improvements while you’re living in it, plan ahead for improvements and give yourself plenty of time.

* Secure your investment: Improving a fixer-upper will get the attention of buyers – and potential criminals. Make sure that your money isn’t going to waste by helping secure your home and deterring break-ins by buying a home alarm system.

* Research contractors: Get referrals from friends and seasoned renovation experts. Check each referral with the Better Business Bureau before making a commitment.

* Assess the costs: Get multiple estimates for projects – whether you’re hiring them out or doing them yourself – and set aside money for extra and hidden costs.

* Reap your reward: Know when to sell and buy in the market. This can help save you time, money and frustration in the long run.

Extension cords are an easy fix for hooking up appliances, video game systems and even holiday decorations, but it’s important to keep safety in mind when using them. Smoke detectors and home security system equipment from companies like ADT can help alert you to fires, but take these extra steps to prevent fires before they happen.

• Read the directions: Remember that just because an extension cord is the right length, it doesn’t mean that it’s the appropriate cord for the job.

• Keep it cool: Never run the cord through a floor or wall opening, or under a rug. Keep it exposed so that it can cool properly.

• Childproof: Use outlet covers for any extension cord or power strip outlets not in use.

• Store properly: Always store outdoor and indoor extension cords indoors when not in use.

• Do not alter: Never file, cut or alter an extension cord or its plug.

Candles can brighten and freshen the atmosphere of your home. But practice caution while using them because it’s important to prevent accidents from happening – even though home alarm systems equipped with smoke and fire monitoring can help keep you and your family safe.

Check out these simple candle safety tips to enjoy them while maintaining your family and home’s safety.

• Stay in the room: All lit candles should be closely supervised by an adult. Make sure to blow them out before you go to sleep and never attempt to use a candle as a nightlight.

• Burn candles in a safe place: Place lit candles at least three feet away from anything flammable. Also keep them away from where they could be knocked over and out of the reach of children and pets. Always use stable candle holders and if possible, a hurricane glass to enclose the flame. Make sure there are smoke detectors and a security system with smoke monitoring nearby.

• Keep them away from kids: Keep matches, lighters and candles away from children. Don’t allow them to burn candles or incense in their rooms.

• Snuff it out: A candle snuffer is the best way to extinguish an open flame. Never use water to put out a flame because it can cause hot wax to splatter, which can cause a candle’s glass container to break.

• Rely on battery power: When possible, use battery-powered candles so you won’t have to worry about open flames.

If you’re in the process of moving into a new home, you likely have more than enough on your plate. From coordinating with movers to finalizing last-minute inspections and important paperwork, there’s a lot to do. But before you get entirely overwhelmed, remember that breaking down your to-do list can help make the moving process a lot easier.

One of the first and most important steps of the move-in process is installing a monitored home security system. Monitored systems connect your home to security centers that provide surveillance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. ADT home security has four nationwide monitoring centers – the most in the nation. Plus, homeowners can get up to 20% off of their homeowners insurance when they install a monitored security system. This is a huge perk. If your new home already has a security system, ADT installers can overtake the system and rewire it with the latest ADT technology.

Of course, there’s more to home security than installing an ADT home security system when you move in. Be sure to consider how you’re disposing of all of your boxes and packaging. It’s easy to be in such a rush to clear out boxes that you don’t think about the potential dangers. Placing boxes in front of your house can advertise to burglars exactly what they’ll find inside.

If you moved any expensive items like TVs and stereo equipment in their original packaging, it’s a good idea to break down and dispose of those boxes before putting them on the curb. Also, change the locks on all the doors. This will prevent previous owners and anyone they gave spare keys to from accessing your new house.

If you’re excited to get out of town this summer, you’re definitely not alone. After a stressful winter in so many different parts of the country, more people are taking time off to enjoy themselves.

But in the rush to leave for vacation, home security can get pushed to the back burner – and that can result in burglaries and a stressful end to a great vacation. Installing an ADT home alarm system and paying attention to common-sense steps before leaving, can mean the difference between your house being burglarized or you being in the clear.

The most important thing to remember when it comes to home security is that it’s not just about having an alarm. The first step towards avoiding a burglary is making your home look occupied at all times. You want your house to look occupied, because most robbers prefer breaking into homes when no one is around.

So if you’re packing up for vacation, take the necessary steps to make sure that you don’t have any trouble. Leave a few lights on and don’t allow mail or newspapers to pile up. Above all, always remember to set your home security system before you leave the house. Without it, your home is a lot more vulnerable.

Everyone knows the feeling of opening the door with an armful of groceries, only to have to quickly set them down to shut off the home alarm. Of course, it makes sense that you have to quickly disarm your alarm once you get home: that’s part of what makes your ADT security system such an effective form of home security. Fortunately, ADT also provides easy ways to arm and disarm your home security system with the touch of a button.

ADT wireless home security systems make arming and disarming your home alarm possible from just about anywhere in the house. With the keychain remote you can turn your alarm on and off from the driveway. This means you don’t have to worry about tripping over anything in your effort to hit the lights and get to the alarm panel fast enough, and it also means that if you forgot to set the alarm after you already locked the door, you can actually do that without having to get your keys out again and go back inside. It’s exactly the kind of development that makes things easier without making anything less secure – another example of ADT’s industry leading technology at work.

Most property owners picture deadbolts, motions sensors and an ADT home alarm system when it comes to proper home security. All of these items are crucial in the fight against criminal activity, but they’re also just part of the battle. Before these pieces come into play, a burglar must first surmount the exterior security measures that are in place around your home. Below, we’ve detailed some of the things you can do to improve the home security around your property.

Build a Fence: Obviously, you won’t be putting any barbed wire around your property. Your home doesn’t need to resemble a maximum security prison to thwart criminals, however. One huge point is deterrence; if a thief thinks he will have even the slightest trouble entering your home, he’ll likely skip it for the next house on the block.

Plant Some Bushes: Rose bushes strategically placed can go a long way toward protecting the points of entry. Windows on the first floor are easily breached, but prickly thorns will keep criminals out.

Park Your Car Inside: If you have a garage available, park your car inside. Leaving a vehicle exposed to prying eyes can have disastrous consequences. Rather than giving criminals any ideas, keep your expensive cars and SUVs in the garage.

Enclose Your Pool: There’s nothing better than a pool on a hot day, but it’s crucial to make sure the water is enclosed so young children are at no risk of falling in and drowning.

Start your home security makeover. By the end of the renovation, you’ll have created a safe cocoon for your family.

If you’re lucky enough to live in Miami, Florida, you enjoy the finer things in life year-round. The sun shines from January-December, and the beach is just steps away. Unfortunately, with all of this pleasure comes some added responsibility. Miami has one of the highest crime rates of any city in the United States, so you must remain vigilant at all times. In fact, based on the 2006 FBI Crime Report, the robbery rate in Miami is more than twice the national average, with burglaries and larcenies following close behind. Below, we’ve listed some steps you can take to bolster your home security.

Install an ADT Home Alarm: For almost 150 years, ADT has been the industry standard for home alarms. With affordable rates and great deals on installation, you have every reason to make today the day you call a representative.

Lock Your Door: The simplest part of home security is also often the most overlooked. Take the extra few seconds to lock your door every single time you leave your home.

Don’t Advertise Your Valuables: For many Miami residents, flashing wealth is all part of the fun of living in this sunny city. When you’re inside your house or apartment, however, improve your home security by keeping the blinds shut and your valuables hidden from sight. Also take care to park expensive cars inside your garage rather than on the street or in your driveway. The less goodies a potential criminal spots, the more likely he or she will be to move on to the next house on the block.

Miami, Florida is a paradise that most people only get to visit once a year. If you have the good fortune to live there, take the proper home security precautions to ensure that your family stays safe.

Looking for some simple ways to improve your home security this spring? Help protect your home and deter would-be burglars with these easy tips:

Change Your Smoke Detector Batteries: Smoke detectors are your first line of defense against a fire. They operate whether you’re awake or asleep – as long as they’re equipped with fresh batteries. Take a few moments out of your day to replace the Duracells. For just a few dollars, you can greatly reduce the chance of a catastrophic fire.

Replace Your Door Locks: This is especially important for people who have recently moved into a new, previously rented or owned residence. Changing the locks on all doors prevents people with discarded keys from entering your home. If you don’t have a deadlock bolt – widely regarded as the industry standard – now is the time to upgrade.

Cut the Lawn: Why give criminals the opportunity to lurk and hide away in tall grass? Keep your lawn trimmed, especially in areas close to your home, and consider the installation of prickly shrubbery under low windows.

Change the Garage Code: Experts recommend that you update your garage code at least once every six months. Never pick a code that corresponds to birthdays, anniversaries or social security numbers. With the wide reach of the Internet, criminals have access to an incredible range of information about you and the members of your family.

Along with an ADT home alarm system, the tips above serve to help protect you and your family. With just a couple of hours of work, you can go a long way towards improving your home security.