As parents age, their home security and safety becomes a big concern – especially if they live on their own. Fortunately, the latest home security technology makes it easier than ever for the elderly to stay safe at home and contact the authorities in case of an emergency.

The first step in helping protect your senior parents is making sure their home has a reliable home security system in place. ADT provides more than just 24/7 burglary monitoring – they also have one-touch monitoring for medical emergencies and fire. Their security keypads and keychain remotes make it easy for people of every age to alert the local authorities if an emergency occurs.

Of course, having an ADT home alarm system is not the only step in keeping your parents safe and secure. The next time you’re at their house, do a simple walk-through and identify any potential danger areas. If climbing the stairs is a risky idea, get one of the chairs installed that makes it simpler to get upstairs. If you notice lots of spots where wires are running under the rug, increasing the odds of someone falling and getting hurt, figure out a new way to re-route them that won’t cause a problem. After all, it’s a combination of those little things with the bigger items like a reliable home security system that will help keep your parents safe and healthy–and will leave you feeling good about their independent lifestyle for years to come.

Bringing home a new dog or cat can require just as much planning as a new baby doe. From figuring out how to introduce the new pet to young children to installing pet sensitive motion detectors, there are plenty of details that need to be addressed. The first major step in home security with a new pet is identifying any problem areas around the house. This means removing wires that are easy to chew and putting them out of reach or under the carpet, along with making sure there aren’t objects that are easy to knock over and break in the path of your pet, and blocking areas of the house where you don’t want your pet to go.

The second step in home security with a new pet is definitely being diligent and mindful about doors and windows. You need to keep them shut at all hours if you are concerned that your pet is going to make a run for it, and don’t discount a curious kitten and its ability to wander out onto the roof from the second floor. Certain home alarm systems do a better job handling pets than others. ADT offers pet sensitive motion detectors to reduce the number of false alarms in your home. Talk to your home alarm company and figure out if you need to make any upgrades to your home security system.

Anyone who is adjusting to life away at college will find that things are a little bit different than they are back at home. If you were previously living with your parents, you probably didn’t spend much time thinking about home security. But life in a college town or city is considerably different, and taking a few minutes to reassess the way you think about home security can make the difference between having a seamless transition to living on your own or having a more difficult experience.

The first thing to think about when it comes to staying safe at college is your surroundings. If you are off-campus in a house, you might be able to get an ADT home alarm system to improve the odds of you avoiding a break-in. If you are living in dorms, however, you won’t be able to rely on a home security system for extra protection, so it’s better to learn more common-sense steps to keeping yourself and your property secure.

If living in dorms, then you have to take into account that in addition to sharing common spaces with a whole lot of people, you also have a roommate. And while you’re getting to know these people, it is important to keep your valuables stowed away someplace safe. Be sure to always put away valuables, and lock up the dorm room when you aren’t going to be there; you don’t want to provide easy access to your valuables.

If you have to cross a bunch of vacant parks late at night on a walk home from the campus library, don’t carry valuables like your laptop, and try to avoid deserted spaces in general. Most colleges and universities have an escort or public transportation that will get you home safely if you live off-campus, and others even offer taxi vouchers. Be aware of your options so that you can maximize your safety and home security.

A house is broken into in the United States every few minutes, and it seems as though more and more people are investing in home alarm systems to help out with the task of keeping their belongings and their family safe. But sometimes, it can be difficult to adjust to having an alarm, or to learning how to properly operate one. Fortunately, ADT makes activating your home security system easy. Here are a few tips for getting the most out of your home alarm:

1. Always make sure that windows and doors are securely closed. This is a crucial part of making sure your alarm works every time.

2. Make changes for pets. If you didn’t have pets when you first had the alarm installed but now do, it can lead to more false alarms. And when a home alarm system has a lot of false alarms, people are less likely to set it. ADT offers pet-sensitive motion sensors, making this an easy problem to solve.

3. Always turn it on. If you don’t turn on your home alarm, you aren’t going to be able to get the most out of it!

4. Make sure everyone in your house can set the alarm. This is a key step towards increased home security. If even one member of your household isn’t sure how to work the alarm, then you have a weak link. Be sure that setting the alarm is part of everyone’s routine when they leave the house.

5. Do the proper maintenance. Are there floodlights that are part of a timed system that needs replacing? Are you using a battery-powered alarm panel that should have its batteries replaced? These simple home security maintenance steps can make a huge difference in the safety of your home and loved ones.

We’re quickly turning into a more wireless world, which is becoming increasingly helpful to many Americans. The introduction of wireless options, whether it’s a Wi-Fi internet connection or the latest ADT alarm, helps people get things done more efficiently.

The new high-tech gear that comes with ADT monitored alarms does an incredible job of improving the functionality of your home security system. The latest wireless home alarms are not only easier to work with, they also streamline your security system so there are fewer chances for things to go wrong. Take the digital keypad, for example. It lets you activate your home alarm or contact medical or fire dispatchers with the touch of a button. And it’s easy enough for all members of your household to use.

If you are constantly tripping over yourself rushing into the house to disarm your home security system at the end of the day, the keychain remote can save you a lot of time and hassle. The one-touch remote fits right on your keychain and lets your arm or disarm your system from nearly anywhere in your house. It’s perfect if you don’t want to run back inside to set the alarm or if you want to activate the system once you’re already in bed.

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.

April showers are known for bringing May flowers, but sometimes homeowners end up getting a little bit more than they bargained for thanks to generous precipitation. While springtime rain is one of the best things for your garden, too much rain can definitely can mean trouble if it results in flooding.

Many homeowners in the Notheast were relieved during the recent batch of heavy rains, because their homes were equipped with ADT home security systems that had flood monitoring. Flood monitoring is one of the many benefits of an ADT alarm.

You see, it makes sense to assume that a home security system does one job: warning you when criminals are breaking in. But security systems can be about much more. Water sensors are just one of the many things that you can add to your home alarm system to increase safety in other areas, like flooding.

While having a sensor to alert you of smoke, fire, or water might not keep your home from getting damaged, it does something very important: it lets you know when it’s time to take action. If you’re expecting rain in your future – or have valuables in your home that you’d be devastated to see destroyed by water – it’s worthwhile to check out the water sensors available with ADT home security.

If you’re like most working parents, you know it’s harder than ever to make it home before your kids return from school. And while it can seem like a stressful situation, it’s easy to educate kids on home security to help keep them safe during the afternoon hours.

Tip #1 Utilize a home security system.
One of the best ways to help protect your children is installing a home security system. Monitored home security systems are connected to monitoring centers that watch over your house 24/7. ADT alarm systems are easy to activate and de-activate, so if your children are old enough to understand the importance of a home security system, show them how to arm the system when they get home from school.

Tip #2 Never appear to be home alone
This home security tip is essential for kids who are home alone after school. If someone calls your house (whether they claim to be a neighbor or salesperson), make sure your kids tell them that you are in the shower, on your cell phone or busy in another room. And kids should never answer the door when they are home alone.

Tip #3 Encourage constant communication
Make sure your kids know they can contact you at any time if a home safety concern arises. They may worry that you’re busy at work, but keeping an open line of communication after school is an important part of their safety. Have your cell phone handy at work and ask your kids to call or text you once they make it home safely.

While there’s a lot of helpful information out there about home security, there are also several myths that need to be addressed. Here are 3 common home security myths and the truth behind each one:

Myth #1 Pets and some security systems don’t mix. People often think that pets will set off home security sensors, preventing them from installing a security system. When you choose an ADT monitored home security system, you can get pet sensors so you won’t have to stress about false alarms. So don’t worry about Fluffy or Fido, and know that you can still up your home security while being a loving pet owner.

Myth #2 The more you pay, the better protection you get. The truth is that it’s how you utilize your home security purchases, not how much you spend on them, that really matters. So if you’re going to make an upgrade or install high-tech security cameras or deadbolt locks, realize that staying within your means can still be extremely effective. And remember to put your home security items to good use – always activate the home alarm and lock the doors.

Myth #3 Parents should be the only ones to activate the home alarm. The truth is that if everyone knows how to arm and disarm the home security system, you’ll have a fully functioning system. Even if you have a teenager, it’s better to stress the importance of keeping the information confidential and knowing your teen can set the alarm than not teaching them how to arm it and having them leave your house less secure. Definitely invest the time in teaching everyone how to make things work, and you’ll do wonders for your home security.

Whether you’re a college student or starting a job in a new city, chances are you’ve had to search for a new roommate at some point. When it comes to deciding to share your space with a relative stranger, there are a few home security issues to keep in mind. Here are three roommate dos and don’ts that can do wonders for your peace of mind and your home security.

DO change the code on your home security system. This is like landlords changing locks when new tenants come in. It’s an important part of being the one who is in charge of the renting process, so if you have a house and fill it with roommates, make sure that the alarm is changed once someone new moves in. If you’re moving into a property with an ADT home security system, request for a new passcode.

DON’T decide to move in somewhere without getting the full story about the property. Are there locks to the common spaces? Is there a laundry room that has windows, and do those windows have burglar bars so that people can’t force their way in? Make sure you know about the building just as much as you know about the people and the particular apartment or house you’re moving into.

DO get things in writing. There’s more to home security than just buying the latest home alarm from ADT. Be sure that you are also covering your back by getting things down on paper in case there are any disputes down the road. By having a contract with your roommates, you can rest assured that someone can’t skip out on rent, utilities, or anything else. It’s definitely a crucial part of the renting experience.