With the holidays approaching, it’s important to remember that safety should be a number one concern, right up along with Black Friday deals and getting the mistletoe positioned just right. Along with home security and the risk of intrusion while you’re out of town, one of the most dangerous aspects of this special time of year is the increased risk of motor vehicle accidents. Here are some tips to help you arrive at your destination safely.

Give Yourself Enough Time: Try to holiday traffic into your estimate for travel time. That way, you won’t feel compelled to speed or drive dangerously if you get behind schedule. Remember that the holidays are a time for enjoying your family; there’s no need to become angry when you hit a patch of traffic.

Be Aware of Changing Weather Patterns: Advances in meteorology have transformed what was once a guessing game into a much more exact science. Check the forecast a couple of days ahead of time, and make adjustments to your travel plans accordingly. If things look dicey, it pays to wait.

Never Drive When Tired: We’ve all been there before – home is only a hundred miles down the interstate, you’ve been away for days, and all you want to do is switch off your ADT security system, open the door and get into bed. Still, if you’re yawning and feeling groggy behind the wheel, don’t risk driving. Find a reasonably priced hotel or motel and complete the journey the next day.

Practice defensive driving: Unfortunately, some people use the holidays as a time to indulge past their limits. If you see a driver ahead of you on the highway swerving over the lanes, hold back. There’s no need to attempt a dangerous pass. Instead, put a call into the state troopers on your bluetooth headset, and let them handle the situation. Your first priority should be getting home safely.

The holiday season is a time for celebration. Be aware of the increased travel risk during this time, and you can proactively avoid dangerous situations.

The holidays are a time for getting together with family and enjoying each other’s company. They’re not a time for worrying about home security. That’s why it’s important to think about these issues ahead of time. Here are some tips for improving your home security during the holidays:

Create an illusion: It’s important to maintain the appearance that you’re home while you’re out of the house. When you go away for an extended period of time, ask a trusted neighbor to bring in newspapers, handle any packages and generally taking care of the little details that make the home look lived in. Similarly, install some timers to set off interior lights at random (though appropriate times).

Arm your ADT home security system: The best defense against intrusion is an ADT home security system. With four inter-connected command centers strategically spread across the United States, your home will be monitored around the clock. Before setting out for your vacation, have an adult family member double-check that the ADT security system is armed.

Don’t advertise you’re on vacation: It’s much easier to find your phone number than you might think. The first thing some criminals do when scouting out a home, is place a call to the landline to see if anyone picks up. When they hear a recorded voice message stating that the entire family is out of town, your house can become a prime target. If you have a blog or other online identity that states your home address, delete it; that’s an instant tip-off to savvy criminals.

Home security during the holidays is more important than ever before. Avoid having to worry about it by taking the proper precautions ahead of time.

Looking for the most accurate assessment of your home security? Put yourself into the shoes of a burglar to discover the weaknesses in your property’s defense. There’s no better way to figure out exactly what steps are necessary to make your home more secure.

Start on a macro level. Drive down your street, and compare your house to others on the block. Do the houses on either side of your home advertise their ADT home security system? If they do and you don’t, that is a cause for concern. When burglars see that a home alarm is in the mix, they’ll often move to the next house, preferring to avoid it all together.

Next, take a sweep around the property. Take careful note of landscape features that could provide a good hiding spot. In particular, high bushes and dark entry points are places burglars often look to hide.

Take a look at the entrance points. Where would an intruder be most likely to try to enter? You can more or less rule out second and third story windows, but pay special attention to doors and windows that are hidden by shrubs or other plants. Gently test the strength of each entry point, marking down any door, window or lock that might need to be replaced.

Can you see valuable items through the glass? At each window, peer inside and sweep from left to right. Which items could be concealed from easy view from the outside?

No one expects a burglar to target their home. That’s why it’s so important to think just like they do. If you can anticipate their actions, it’s easy to take precautionary measures to stop them ahead of time. Don’t wait until it’s too late: activate your ADT security system and do what’s necessary now to make sure that your home stays protected.

Jack Frost and winter present a whole new set of home security challenges for property owners, especially in the northern parts of the United States. It’s easy to underestimate the dangers of the season, but the consequences can be disastrous. That’s why we’ve compiled this list of tips to keep you safe during the cold winter months.

Use your garage: If you’re lucky enough to have a covered parking space, why not use it? The walk from an exposed spot to your front door is the perfect opportunity to take a hard fall on ice, so avoid that chance by parking indoors.

Install motions-sensing lights: Coming home to a dark house is dangerous for many reasons, and the likelihood of this happening only increases as winter presses on. A fall is much more likely in the darkness, and there is also a greater chance of a confrontation with a criminal without the safety of bright outdoor lights. Floodlights are a cheap, easy to install measure that will greatly improve your home security.

Sign up for ADT’s carbon monoxide and fire detection: There’s nothing as pleasant as a warm fire on a cold night, but flames and smoke present their own set of hazards. With ADT home security monitoring, you can help protect your family from carbon monoxide and fire. In the event of an emergency, a signal is automatically sent to ADT who immediately contacts local authorities.

Shovel your driveway: A driveway covered in snow is akin to a megaphone shouting “Come on in, I’m not home!” Even if you don’t own a vehicle, shovel your walkway to show that someone is regularly in the residence. This is even more important if you’re on vacation.

Have a professional inspect your furnace: A dirty furnace can cause a fire. An inspection by a licensed expert will include a safety test for carbon monoxide, as well as maintenance to make sure all parts are in proper working order.

Home security is more important than ever as winter chugs along. Follow the tips above and springtime will  be here before you know it.

When it comes to the upkeep of your house, home security should be at the top of the list. There’s nothing more valuable than the well-being of your family. Possessions can be replaced, broken windows repaired, and vehicles in the driveway insured, but you can’t put a price on the safety of your loved ones. Take time to evaluate your home security and assess any strengths and weaknesses for keeping out potential burglars.

Talk to the police: The local police force will be happy to answer any questions you may have. Ask them about recent crimes in the area. Find out how often patrol cars visit your neighborhood. Building a personal relationship with local law enforcement can result in more frequent rounds.

Give your home a physical: You should perform a thorough examination of your home at least twice a year. Walk around the perimeter of your property, checking for evidence of loosened fence posts, or burnt out lights and other potential hazards. You should also survey the outside of your home to check for loose windows and doors, paying special attention to the locks. Any hinges with rust should be replaced as soon as possible.

Meet the neighbors: One of the most overlooked methods of home security is a simple sit-down with the people who live around you. Find out if they’ve seen anything suspicious or out of the ordinary in the neighborhood. By agreeing to keep an eye on each other’s homes, everyone wins.

Call an ADT professional: The installation of a home alarm system is the most powerful way to both deter and stop someone from breaking into your home. The experts at ADT are waiting for your call, and can help you figure out which ADT home security system is right for your house.

Home security is essential. From new home alarms to sturdier deadbolt locks, you owe it to yourself and your family to do everything you can to make your property a fortress against intrusion.

With residential burglaries on the rise across the country, many property owners are increasingly worried about home security, and for good reason. San Antonio is no exception. In 2008, there were 97,564 property crimes reported in San Antonio alone. The city also had 18,908 burglaries.

All of this data means that there has never been a better time to invest in home security in San Antonio. ADT home alarm systems set the standard. ADT is the most trusted name in home security, and has been providing its valued services to customers for more than 130 years.
Unlike other home security providers, ADT has four interconnected command centers spread throughout the United States. In the event of an unlikely power outage at one center, another can immediately pick up its slack, ensuring that your home is monitored 24/7. Other companies put all their eggs into one basket. If a power outage or hacker attack occurs, your home could be left unprotected.

Residents of San Antonio also know that intrusion isn’t the only danger facing homeowners. ADT home security also offers protection against medical emergencies, fire and carbon monoxide poisoning. In the event of any of these emergencies, a signal is sent to an ADT command center, triggering an immediate response by the appropriate authority.

ADT stays at the forefront of home security technology to ensure you get the most comprehensive protection available. Do you have an elderly family member living in the San Antonio, Texas area? An inexpensive upgrade to Two-Way Voice control could be the best home security solution. With this additional feature from ADT, the control panel is transformed into an intercom system. If your family member can’t make it to the telephone, they can still stay in touch with a home security professional.

If you live in San Antonio, ADT is your home security must-have. Call today to find out about the advantages of installing an alarm system. ADT has home security packages that work with any family’s budget.

Do you live in an apartment or condominium? If so, you face a unique set of challenges when it comes to home security. This living situation often breeds a false sense of security, which could end poorly if not addressed. Help protect you apartment or condo and keep your family safe with the following tips.

Don’t rely on the doorman: Your doorman deals with hundreds of people coming and going each day; it’s entirely possible that an uninvited visitor could slip through in a busy moment. While a 24-hour presence in the lobby is certainly a plus, you still need to remain aware.

Change the locks: Swap each of the locks within a week of moving into a new apartment. The previous owner might not have taken this precaution, which means that there could be multiple sets of keys floating around. Many building supers will simply swap out a vacant apartment’s locks, in effect “randomizing” both doors to eliminate any chance of entry using an old key.

Install an ADT home alarm: Don’t be lulled into complacency. In both small and large apartment buildings, crime occurs regularly. By installing an ADT security system, you can vastly help improve your home’s safety.

Keep ground level windows secure: If you live on a floor that’s accessible to the street, make sure to always keep your windows and sliding glass doors locked. A cheap way to secure the sliding glass doors is with a piece of wood wedged against the edge of the door and the wall.

Report security threats to maintenance: Your rent, HOA and other fees all go to making sure that the building stays secure. When you see a threat, such as a broken light, malfunctioning lock or a door that constantly remains open, report it to someone who can do something about it.

By taking the proper precautions, you can easily and inexpensively make your apartment or condominium much more secure.

There are two main components to your home’s security. The first is an ADT alarm system, designed to alert the proper authorities in the event of an attempted break-in. The second component is the lock system that prevents entry to your home. Both play a crucial role in protecting you and your family, but security starts at the front door. Below, you’ll find tips to help you select the perfect lock to complement your ADT home alarm.

Look for the ANSI Seal of Approval: The American National Standards Institute places a special, “Grade 1″ designation on only the most secure locks. Make sure any lock you purchase has been measured to this high standard.

Choose hardened case steel: Steel that is hardened and beveled is far more resistant to hammer blows intended to open the lock cylinder.

Go for the longest “throw” on your deadbolt: The throw is defined as the length of the deadbolt extended from the edge of the door. The longer the “throw” or bar, the more effective your deadbolt lock will be. Go for a lock with at least a 1-inch throw.

Key control: Deadbolt locks with the key control feature can’t be copied by anyone except the owner, and by law, locksmiths are required to keep records of any copies made. This greatly reduces the chances of an unauthorized set of keys making it out into the open.

With the installation of an ADT security system and a strong, secure deadbolt lock on the front door of your home, you greatly reduce the chance of a burglar gaining entry. These two factors are the most important parts of home security, and should be taken seriously.

The Home Alone movies aside, safety is a serious matter for homeowners in Chicago and its outlying suburbs. With crime on the rise, it’s more important than ever to take the proper precautions to ensure that your property is secure against intrusion. According to the latest FBI Uniform Crime Report, there were more than 131,000 property crimes in Chicago in 2008. Here are some simple tips to improve your home security.

Install an ADT security system: For more than 130 years, ADT has helped protect homes and businesses across America. Put their experience to work for you by installing a home alarm system. ADT offers packages to suit every budget, and their technology is consistently rated the best in the industry.

Communicate with neighbors: The best defense against crime is a strong community presence. Build a strong relationship with the people who live around you, so that if someone sees something suspicious, it won’t remain a secret. Solid communication is a great way to prevent crime in your area.

Be aware of winter dangers: Chicago is prone to freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall during the winter. Take the proper precautions by performing a thorough home safety inspection before the beginning of the season, including a furnace check. Also, make sure that all carbon monoxide detectors are fully functioning. If you go away for vacation, be certain that your driveway is being shoveled. Nothing signals ‘no one is home’ more than a driveway piled three-feet-high with snow.

In Chicago, home security isn’t something homeowners should take lightly. With these easy and affordable tips, you can help ensure that your property stays safe all year long.

Fall and winter are upon us, and that means it’s time to turn on the heater and put the fireplace to use. Along with preparing for family celebrations like Thanksgiving and Christmas, homeowners also need to prepare their homes for fire safety during these colder months. Help keep your home and family safe with the following fire safety tips:

Check your monitoring systems: Early in the fall, check the batteries on all carbon monoxide and smoke detectors throughout your house. Also be sure to activate your ADT security system.  It is connected to four monitoring centers that will automatically send a signal to the appropriate authorities in the event of an emergency.

Properly maintain the home furnace: Never attempt to repair a furnace by yourself; leave that to an experienced professional. You can, however, perform an inspection to determine whether something might be wrong.

Take a look at the flu pipe and pipe seams: Do you see any cracks? Also check the chimney for cracks or loose bricks that you can seal with solid masonry.

Never use your oven for heat: Aside from the danger of starting a fire, using your oven for additional heating can release toxic fumes into your home.

Dig out the fire hydrant: If you have a fire hydrant near your home, take a couple of minutes to dig it out after you shovel your driveway. This could save precious moments in the event of a fire. This is especially important if the snow is deep enough to hide the hydrant.

Be wary of kerosene and propane heaters: A heating apparatus that uses flammable materials presents additional hazards. Be sure to keep these fuels outside of the home in a well-ventilated area. Be extra cautious with wood-burning stoves as well. Dispose of all ashes in a metal container well away from anything flammable.

Follow these basic tips to improve your home security and safety for the upcoming winter.