Certain security measures that your neighbors take, like keeping a feisty guard dog to ward off intruders, may compromise your family’s safety. Children are often quick to pet strange animals and according to the ASPCA at least half of all U.S. children will be bitten by a dog before the age of 12.

So even though you know that a home alarm system is a better home security solution than an animal, make sure to help prevent bites by teaching your children these guidelines about when it’s OK to pet dogs.

1. Keep away: Stay away from chained-up dogs.
2. Don’t tease: Never stare a dog in the eyes or tease dogs behind fences.
3. Leave it alone: Never touch a dog that is eating or sleeping.
4. Stay still: If a dog comes near you stand still and be quiet. If you see a loose dog tell an adult right away.
5. Ask permission: Only pet a dog if the owner has given you permission and then the dog has given you permission by sniffing your closed hand.

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.

There are plenty of reasons for living alone if you can afford it. For one thing, there isn’t the constant stress of dealing with a roommate, or having to worry about your own home security because someone else forgets to lock the door at night. It’s also exciting just to have your own space.

Of course, when you live alone, there are certain safety concerns to take into consideration. And whether it’s the government or ADT telling you this, it’s important to know that criminals prefer to break into homes when they are empty. They don’t want run-ins with homeowners because they are typically just going after personal belongings and valuables. So what do you do about your place if you live alone? Well, installing a home alarm system is a definite step in the right direction.

If you’re ready to install a home security system, there are a lot of things to consider. One of the most important factors is burglary monitoring. You want a system with 24/7 home security monitoring. This way, you’ll know your home is being watched around the clock by security professional and technology. You can even customize a system for your specific needs. Companies like ADT have special pet-sensitive motion detectors so pet owners don’t have to worry about false alarms.

Taking simple and effective steps towards improving your home security will make living alone an even more enjoyable experience.

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.

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.

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.

Thousands of Americans invest in home security each year by installing a monitored home alarm. And there’s definitely something to be said about the extra protection a home alarm can provide. After all, if someone breaks in and nothing happens, they are far more likely to grab all of your belongings and take their time as they search for valuables. But if they break your window and an alarm sounds, that’s their cue to get out as quickly as possible.

Even with the obvious benefits of installing an alarm, there are still factors to consider if you want to keep your entire house as secure as possible. First, you have to remember to set your home alarm – no matter what. It seems like a no-brainer but plenty of people have fallen victim to burglaries because they forgot to activate their home security system.

You also have to remember to shut and lock all doors and windows. If something is ajar, a robber can work his way into your home without worrying about an alarm sounding. And this is just as important for basement and garage doors as it is for the front door.

If you’re investing in an alarm, make it known. Homes with monitored home security systems are three times less likely to be burglarized. So put those ADT stickers and yard signs on full display. It can serve as a great way to deter burglars.

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.

Homeowners across the broader Southwest region have watched as their neighbors go into foreclosure due to lost jobs and inflexible mortgage lenders. Unfortunately, some Phoenix, AZ homeowners may be ignoring their home security during this troubling time. Below, we’ve listed some tips to help you maintain your home throughout the recession.

Create a Neighborhood Watch Group: Talk to the homeowners around you about things you can do to keep up the neighborhood. Discuss group measures to preserve the appearance of the neighborhood, such as mowing lawns of unoccupied homes. It’s important that you show potential burglars that your block is still off-limits.

Install a Home Security System: One of the best ways to combat an intruder is with a home alarm system. Surprisingly affordable, this may be the most important thing you can do for your family and home security.

Change Your Locks: If you live in a rental, it’s important to change the locks when you move in. This is one of the simplest and least expensive home security measures in your arsenal, as well as one of the most effective. You can even ask your landlord to do it for you.

Remove Your Hide-a-Key: It’s amazing how many homeowners leave keys in easily accessible places. Think criminals are too stupid to look under your door mat? Think again. A safer alternative is a keypad door lock, which can be modified to accept a temporary code if you need to let someone in.

Home security for your Phoenix, AZ property has never been more important. Invest in some simple measures today, such as an ADT home alarm system, and you’ll be safe, rather than sorry.