Road trips take lots of planning, so when you’re mapping out your route and the stops along the way, make sure to prepare with these tips to help promote family safety and fun.

• Get a tune-up: Get your car serviced by a certified mechanic so you won’t have to deal with surprising auto problems while out on the open road.

• Prepare for the worst: Pack an emergency kit with a cell phone, flares, water, blanks, a flashlight, a first-aid kit and tools to change a tire.

• Lock up at home: Make sure your home and valuables inside are secure with a home alarm system. Ask neighbors to pick up your mail daily and alert you to any suspicious activity around your home.

• Sleep restfully: Never drive without a good night’s rest and switch driving duty with an adult every few hours.

• Take breaks: Even those who are along for the ride need a break every once in a while. Plan stops so everyone can have bathrooms breaks and time to stretch their legs.

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.

Moving to an area with exciting activities aimed at tourists can lead to a great deal of discovery. But there are some special considerations you must make while planning your move to a tourist town. Keep these things in mind to ensure that you’ll have as much fun in your new town as the tourists.

• Check out the neighborhoods: Chances are, there are a multitude of neighborhoods far from the tourism area and one will be perfect for you. Research nearby schools, crime rates and how tourists may affect your home security. Look into getting a home alarm system, especially if you’re not familiar with the area.

• Explore a little: Venture outside of the typical tourism area and find out what the residents love to do. Chances are there are great local haunts that are even better than all the tourist magnets.

• Avoid busy times: Know when and what parts of town are busiest with tourists, and figure out how to avoid them.

• Consider tourist prices: Remember that because you’re living in the midst of a tourist attraction that you’ll have to pay vacation prices for a lot of things like meals and entertainment.

Home is where you probably feel most comfortable, but it’s never a bad idea to evaluate your home’s security. Read below to see five top home security myths dispelled.

1. My neighbors will notice any lurkers: You’re busy and so are your neighbors. You may both be away from home at the same time, and you can’t expect them to stay on watch 24/7 to guard your property’s perimeter. Don’t rely on neighbors for home security.
2. My pet will deter intruders: Your friendly (or feisty) pet may not scare off intruders who make a career out of breaking and entering.
3. It’s okay to hide spare keys outside or leave them with a neighbor: Leaving a spare key in a hidden location may sound like the perfect solution. But if they’re accessible to you, they’re most likely accessible to individuals outside of your circle of trust. It’s easy for a criminal to pose as a service person and ask to borrow a key from an unsuspecting neighbor. Make sure to change your locks periodically.
4. Home alarm systems are expensive: There are many affordable home alarm systems that can help protect you and your family – like ADT – which has been helping protect American homes and businesses for over 130 years.
5. Smoke detectors are sufficient fire safety devices: Creating a family fire-escape plan is essential for helping to keep your family safe. Smoke detectors may alert you, but your exit time may be unnecessarily lengthy if you haven’t designated safe exits or a meeting place.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Spring is a time for rejuvenation of mind, body and soul. The Earth does the same, casting off the cold winter months in transition to warmer weather. This April, take the time to give your home security a spring cleaning, with some simple, cost-effective measures that will greatly improve your family’s safety. Below, we’ve listed some of the easiest and most important things you can do.

Lawn Maintenance: In most parts of the country, the combination of rising temperatures, sunlight and increased rain can result in an out of control lawn sprouting grass patches a foot tall or higher. The result is two home security issues. First, an unkempt lawn gives the appearance that the homeowner is away from the house for an extended period. Second, longer grass gives criminals the opportunity to approach without being seen. Both of these problems can be solved by regular lawn maintenence.

Install an ADT Home Alarm System: If your property isn’t already protected by the hallmark of home security, now is a great time to contact ADT to find out what they can do for your family.

Fence in the Pool: Pools are one of the leading causes of accidental death in the United States, especially for families with younger children. Apart from talking to your kids about the dangers of falling in, talk to a professional about building a fence around your in-ground pool.

Activate Water Sensors on Your ADT Alarm: Record rainfall in the Northeast this spring has shown the dangers of unchecked precipitation. Activate the water sensors on your ADT home security system to avoid flooding inside the home. In the event of rising water levels, the appropriate authorities will be notified and can act to stem the flooding.

Make this spring the moment of your home’s safety transformation. With the simple tips above, you can go a long way toward protecting your family.