From Law & Order to CSI, we’ve all seen a plotline where security camera footage busts the bad guy. But are security cameras a necessity for your home? They can be great for catching thieves in action, but they can also be extremely pricey. As Americans look for new ways for home security to protect their and families, it’s worth taking a look at the pros and cons of the home security camera.

Sure, security cameras are great for catching images of burglars, pesky teenagers or your neighbor’s cat lurking around the house.  But what is the camera doing to prevent would-be burglars from coming inside? If you’re out of town, the only way a security camera will prevent a burglary is if the bad guy sees it, gets scared and runs away. There’s also the whole problem with night-time theft. If you want to catch criminal activity that goes down at night, you’ll need a security camera with night vision – and that isn’t cheap. If you don’t upgrade to night vision, you’ll likely end up with fuzzy images that won’t get you anywhere.

If your house is burglarized during the day – web cams and security cameras can be great for catching criminals. The web cam was a fairly cheap, simple solution – and it worked well. You can the police if you see that a robbery is happening. If setting up a basic webcam or hidden camera inside your home is easy for you and fits your budget, it could be a good option.

If you’re not convinced you need a home security camera, start with a monitored home alarm system. The cost for one year of service will likely be the same or less than the cost of the camera. And with monitored home security systems, professionals will be working around the clock to keep your home safe.

The season is upon us: it’s time to don the swim trunks, enjoy the outdoors, and make the best of the beautiful summer weather!  The summer months are filled with joy given all these entertaining activities, yet there are inevitable risks that arise during such activities, and it is important to be conscious of them and to do everything one can do to prevent them from materializing.

Home security hazards in the summer are usually either associated with the grill or with fireworks, so it’s important to focus a significant amount of attention on these two topics.  As far as the grill is concerned, there are certain tips that can help either the cook or others from being injured and can help keep the fire from spreading to other areas such as the home or surrounding vegetation.

1.    Do not grill in a place with anything flammable overhanging the grill, such as tree branches or even part of the home.
2.    Be discreet with the lighter fluid, and never spray from the bottle directly onto a live flame, as the flame may crawl up the stream and cause the bottle to explode.
3.    Do not overfill the gas tank (in case of using a gas grill), and make sure that the venturi tubes (which combine the gas and air) are completely clean inside, not blocked up.
4.    Always make sure to turn off the grill and close the nozzle (for gas grills), or dispose of the embers properly—by dousing them with abundant water and stirring them.

As far as fireworks and home safety are concerned, make sure you are not out of your league in terms of the specific variety you plan to use.  The best option is simply to enjoy fireworks put on by a team of professionals from a public place. When setting off fireworks off yourself always remember the following tips.

1.    Make sure that they are legal and secondly be sure to read the instructions carefully.  Even more so than with the grill, move away from the home and any vegetation and trees.  For safety’s sake, be sure to have a fire extinguisher and a bucket of water—they might just come in handy.
2.    Don’t let children set off fireworks, especially not alone; keep them strictly supervised, and at a safe distance from the lighting area.

By taking all these issues into account, and making sure everyone is aware of the Stop, Drop and Roll procedure, you ought to be able to enjoy your summer in style…without having to sacrifice home security at your residence.

Summer is by now in full swing and folks all across the country are planning their family vacation trips, getting ready to vacate the home for what tends to be a fairly extensive amount of time.  At each family’s respective destination loads of fun and joy are surely awaiting, but vacationers need to remember to take extra precautions to guarantee the security of their empty home.

There really is no better time than the beginning of summer to bring a home up to date with regards to security matters; especially if you’ve not left the home for an extended period in quite some time, and hence had little cause to do so.  The primary home security features that need to be reviewed and updated (as the case may be) are the locks on windows and doors as well as the performance of indoor motion detectors.  By verifying these two fundamental areas, your home will be much more impervious to break ins as you are fully relaxing on your vacation.

All of the doors that can be accessed from the outside need to be equipped with a 1-inch deadbolt, at the very least, to provide a minimally effective deterrent to burglars.  Furthermore, in those cases where a screen door is present (generally leading onto patio or deck areas) it’s a good idea to have a horizontal, solid metal (preferably steel) bar that can be latched into place about a foot off the ground.

Other home security aspects that can be heightened to give you some peace of mind on your vacation would be, for example: adding window bars on all first and second story windows (get the removable kind to make sure you don’t compromise any fire exits); installing rolling shutters on major windows and sliding doorways; or changing the volume settings for your home alarm so that it will unfailingly call the attention of neighbors and passers by.

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.

Your home is a sacred space, and one that demands the best protection money can buy. Installing a home security system brings the latest technology into your house or apartment, backed up by a highly trained team of skilled professionals.

But your security system is only effective when it’s armed. It’s amazing how many alarm-equipped homes are burglarized each year, as intruders simply walk past an idle panel on their way to making off with your most prized possessions. By teaching your kids how to properly operate the system, you’ll ensure that your home is protected, regardless of who’s heading out the door.

ADT is America’s #1 Home Security Provider with home security systems that can be used by young and old folks alike. Kids are never too young to learn how the home alarm system works. To start off, pick a security code that they’ll easily remember. One tip is to stay away from birthdays (a give-away to a well-informed burglar). A better bet is a combination of numbers they see everyday; perhaps a combination of baseball jersey numbers, or their bus to school.

Of course, teaching your children how to use your home alarm system and trusting them to do it are two different things. Gauge the appropriate level of responsibility to give them by setting out on a trial run. While leaving together, give them the task of setting the home alarm. Double-check whether they’ve armed the system. After a few weeks of success, you can begin to feel comfortable with trusting them to seal the security system and protect your home.

ADT offers full-home monitoring you can count on. ADT offers 24-hour monitoring from 5 interconnected command centers strategically located throughout the United States.  These centers create one virtual nationwide monitoring platform. That’s why ADT is America’s #1 choice for home security.