Moving into a new place can be exciting, but just because you’re renting doesn’t mean you should forget about home security precautions that homeowners typically follow.

• Points of entry: All windows and doors should lock properly. Alert your landlord if they are damaged or seem faulty.

• Deadbolt required: A deadbolt that opens with a key from the outside is a must for any home. One on your bedroom door can also slow down an intruder from getting to your valuables inside.

• Lock changes: Some landlords will re-key properties when renters change. If your landlord won’t re-key your lock, it’s worth paying the money yourself to keep a former tenant from burglarizing your home.

• Monitoring services: Some rentals come equipped with a home security system provided by the landlord. Make sure that you know how to use and activate the system.

Taking all the necessary precautions to deter burglars from breaking into your home – including investing in a home security system – is important. But don’t forget to protect your guest house and other places where you store expensive equipment like lawn care tools. Here are some tips to help you secure your home’s storage units and guest house.

• Display protection: Don’t just post yard signs and window decals for your home alarm system by your house. Make sure that at least one of these home security decals is on the outside of your storage shed or guest house. It can serve as a deterrent, just as it would on your house.

• Lock it up: Invest in a good lock to place on the door and make sure the windows are secure.

• Mark your property: Tag your expensive equipment and tools, so that it’s obvious they belong to you. This can include placing a nametag on tools or writing your name and address on them with a permanent marker.

Home alarm systems are one of the most effective ways to make seniors feel comfortable at home. They help protect seniors in the events of intruders, fires or floods, and they also offer personal emergency response systems like the ADT® Companion Service®. Learn more about how you or an older loved one can feel at ease staying at home alone with 24-hour medical monitoring.

How it works:

1. In the case of a fall or medical emergency, press the button on your waterproof necklace or wristband within 300 feet of the monitoring base unit.
2. A Companion Services-trained ADT monitoring professional will speak with you over a voice intercom.
3. The ADT representative can send help if needed in the form of emergency services, a relative or neighbor.

While summer might mean taking a break from the office to hit the beach, for many Americans, it also means preparing for hurricane season. If you’re not sure where to begin, don’t wait until the last minute to get ready. After all, there are some things that a home alarm system can help out with, and others that might require a little more work. Here’s a simple hurricane preparedness checklist so you can make sure you cover all the basics before a big storm arrives:

1. Do you have enough food and water for two to three days? If you’re far enough away from the ocean that evacuations aren’t necessary, then you need to have enough supplies to make it in case you can’t leave the house for a few days. Stock up on nonperishable food and enough drinking water for the entire family.

2. Did you move the lawn furniture indoors? When it comes to home security during a rough storm, this can mean the difference between a manageable amount of damage done to your home and something more serious. Make sure to move all lawn furniture and outdoor decor inside if a big storm is headed your way.

3. Did you park your car in a safe spot? Once you’re finally able to leave the house, it’s important to have a car ready. But if your car incurs damages due to falling branches or live wires, you won’t be able to go anywhere. Try to park it somewhere safe – ideally in the garage. And if you’re  leaving the house, remember to set that ADT home security system before you hit the road, just in case looters are eying your property after the storm is over.

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.

More than most industries, home security technology evolves out of necessity. Customers of companies like ADT expect the latest in home security equipment, and for good reason. After all, there’s nothing more important than keeping your home and loved ones out of harm’s way. Here’s an overview of the latest tech items for home security.

CCTV: Closed Circuit Television provides you with a view of the exterior (and potentially the interior) of your home from anywhere in the world. All you need is a broadband connection and a laptop. The days of peeking through a tiny peephole to determine who’s at the front door are gone. With 21st century technology, you can keep a much closer tab on your property.

Carbon Monoxide Detection: Available as an add-on to your ADT alarm system, a carbon monoxide detector protects you against what safety experts call “the silent killer”. CO2 is tasteless, odorless and you can’t see it. Protect yourself with this powerful technology, recommended by fire departments across the United States.

Keyless Door Locks: If you constantly lose your keys, consider upgrading to a keyless door lock. This useful technology completely eliminates the need to carry around a house key. As an added home security bonus, you can set a temporary code for workers or guests entering your house that expires after a certain period of time. That way, you won’t have to worry about unauthorized people gaining access to your home.

It’s time to update your home security technology. Along with the advanced electronics in your ADT home alarm system, the pieces mentioned above can help to protect your home, before a break-in occurs.

Texas residents are proud of their heritage – and with good reason. People pioneered this state with their own hands, often in the heat of battle. That lineage still rings true today, as more and more Texans become increasingly aware of home security issues.

A responsible homeowner will take into account the following statistics as he or she contemplates home security. According to the 2003 FBI Report of Offenses Known to Law Enforcement, there were more than 25,000 burglaries during the calendar year. If that’s not enough to convince you to bolster your home security, consider that there were also nearly 75,000 larcenies and thefts. These statistics make one thing clear: securing your Houston, Texas home should be a top priority.

So what’s your best option for drastically improving your home security? The most powerful weapon in a homeowner’s arsenal is an ADT home alarm system. For more than 135 years, ADT has helped keep people across the U.S. safe. They lead the home alarm industry in both technology and training, which means that you can be sure your Houston, Texas family has the best protection that money can buy.

Of course, there are other considerations to take into account. Houston homeowners need to always make sure to lock doors and windows, especially when leaving the home. They should also never leave blinds open – visible and expensive items like flat screen televisions and stereo systems are great ways to attract a burglar into breaking into your home.

With basic precautions and the installation of an ADT home alarm, Houston, Texas residents can stem the wave of crime that has recently marked the city. People living in the Lone Star State know what’s truly important, and home security measures are designed to protect those things.

Have you been contemplating 2010 improvements for your Houston, Texas home? One of the most important improvements you can make is the installation of a home alarm system. In these uncertain times, there’s simply no better way to protect your family and precious possessions. With over 130 years of experience, ADT offers Texas residents the peace of mind that comes from knowing your home alarm system is the product of over a century of experience in the home security business.

As one of the largest cities in Texas, Houston has a relatively high incidence of crime, especially in the downtown area. The latest monthly statistics show over 12,000 acts of theft or burglary in the month of November 2009 alone. This is clearly a statistic that every homeowner needs to take seriously.

How can the installation of a home security system help keep you protected against crime in Houston? The first part of the equation is deterrence. When a criminal sees the familiar ADT decal, he knows that your home is not going to be an easy target.

The main benefit, of course, is ADT’s award-winning technology. Standard ADT monitored security systems come equipped with innovative, cutting-edge features that lead the industry. Two-Way Voice, for example, is perfect for older Houston residents. This feature allows a homeowner to communicate with a trained home security professional from nearly anywhere in the house in the event of an emergency.

Have you recently ditched your landline in favor of your cell phone? Texas homeowners without access to land lines can still enjoy ADT products. Unlike other home security companies, ADT accommodates these customers with CellTech, eliminating the need for a hard line through the use of cellular technology.

Protect your Houston, TX home with the most powerful solution on the market — ADT. No other security system can offer the same level of protection.

How does one determine the best route to home security? With the large number of companies out there proclaiming their products “the best,” how does one ensure that they actually achieve the best protection, the best benefits available for their home and their family? ADT is the national leader in home security and it’s no fluke that so many homeowners, businesses and even government offices around the US trust them.

Why is ADT the right choice for your protection? What benefits do they provide to your home? To answer those questions, you’ll need to understand what is available through the company, as well as how that compares to other companies. ADT provides:

· Free home monitoring equipment: While other companies also offer free equipment, ADT is the only company that actually provides equipment that you own. That’s right; you own the equipment and pay nothing for it. While this may make you believe that the equipment is less than adequate, it’s some of the most advanced in the industry.

· Installation cost is another area in which ADT wins. Average installation cost of your protection equipment is less than $100, while the competition charges more than $150. For savings, ADT also wins.

· The number of professional monitoring centers is another area of concern. While the competition offers two national monitoring centers, ADT boasts no fewer than five monitoring centers for your protection. Each monitoring system is capable of operating independently, as well as handling the calls from other areas if one center is inoperable.

· Wireless home protection is the best option for your needs. By using a wireless system, you protect the walls of your home from invasive installation methods. An ADT installer will set up your system to ensure the best operation and performance, as well as simple and easy growth in the future.

· ADT provides a keychain remote that allows you to arm and disarm your system from a distance. ADT does this at no charge, while the competition charges you for the privilege.

· 2-way voice communications with the monitoring center is another option that ADT provides, yet the competition does not. With 2-way voice communications, you are ensured even greater protection and benefits.

· Optional upgrades are also widely available through ADT. For instance, you can enjoy carbon monoxide detectors, freeze detectors, smoke and fire detectors and many others through ADT’s professional installation.

· Finally, ADT offers CellGuard, which enables you to communicate with the monitoring center by using cellular towers in the event that your home phone is inoperable for any reason. This provides incredible peace of mind about your safety and security.

As you can see, ADT provides astounding benefits and is more affordable than the competition. Through their professional products, professional installation and real-time monitoring, you and your family can sleep well at night, without worries about invasion or other threats. However, whether you choose an ADT system or a competitor, having a home security system installed is vital.