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.

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.

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.