Traveling and experiencing new places is one of the most exciting parts of life. Leaving your home, however, can present a need for increased security. Home security is relatively easy, because you perform the same routine, day after day. For example, each morning when you leave your house or apartment, you arm your ADT home alarm system. When traveling abroad or in the United States, there’s no comparable safety net. Start preparing for your next trip with these top safety tips for travelers.

Research Your Destination: Gather some basic info about where you’re going. If it’s somewhere remotely dangerous, check the State Department’s website for warnings.

Have a Backup Plan: Recent natural disasters in Haiti, Italy, Thailand and Indonesia have shown us that catastrophic events can strike anywhere, anytime. Make sure you have a backup plan at all times in case of emergency.

Carry Insurance: Travel insurance can be a great idea for a big trip. Add to basic coverage with a package that pays for evacuation by helicopter or jet.

Travel With a Friend or Family Member: Help reduce the risk of an accident by traveling with someone else. That’s in addition to the joy you’ll share experiencing new things with someone you care about.

Avoid Alcohol and Drugs: You never want to let your guard down while you’re away from home. Be cautious and avoid drugs and alcohol.

Arm Your Home Security System: Your ADT home alarm system is only effective if it’s armed. Make sure you set the control panel before you leave your property.

Keep Up Appearances at Home: Performing basic home security tasks like having the mail taken in and keeping your driveway shoveled will create the impression that you’re still in your home, which is a huge deterrent to would-be criminals.

Don’t Draw Attention to Yourself: Flashy jewelry and rowdy behavior makes you a target. Remember that you’re not in Kansas anymore, and do your best to blend into the scenery.

Traveling safely is an important extension of home security. Make sure you are focused on safety both inside and outside of the home.

I was reading some online news the other day when I came across on article about an elderly woman who had been the victim of a violent burglary. My heart was shaken by the story. I could not help but be saddened by the woman’s situation.

This situation is not an isolated incident. Across the country there are seniors living alone or with a companion that do not have adequate security. Often when these people become the victim of a violent break-in the perpetrator is from the neighborhood or knows that the home is occupied by seniors.

There are some things that seniors can do to make sure that they are protected from this type of crime. Here are a couple of quick tips for seniors:
•    Have your locks checked and replace any locks that are not of good quality or are not working.
•    When you leave the home make sure that you are accompanied by family and friends. This can minimize the potential of an attack as you leave the residence.
•    Do not open the door for anyone other than trusted friends and family.
•    If someone comes to the door for official business whether it be to drop off a package or check the meter ask for ID and call their company to verify there presence at your home.
•    Do not leave any keys outside the home under mats, in key holders, or under a plant. These are prime locations for people to look for keys to enter your home.

The most important thing that you can do to secure the home and protect senior residents is to invest in a home security system. I am a firm believer in keeping our independence as we age. Installing a security system with monitoring services can give your family the peace of mind that your home will be monitored 24 hours a day 7 days a week. It can allow you to rest easy and enjoy your time spent at home without fear of a break-in.

When looking for a home security system, find a trusted name in the industry such as ADT Security Services, Brinks, or Honeywell. ADT Security Services is the leading name in home security around the globe. Millions of customers are protecting themselves with their Safewatch QuickConnect system.

All of these systems work in generally the same way. If an alert is detected the monitoring center is contacted. A security associate will contact the number on file to verify the alarm and dispatch any local emergency response teams that are necessary. This all happens within a short timeframe which is much quicker than if you called 9-1-1 yourself. When selecting a system, investigate the company’s ability to monitoring the home. Most companies only have one monitoring center which can potentially leave your home unprotected. ADT Security Services has a total of five centers to make sure you truly get 24 hour coverage.

The ADT Safewatch home security systems have one important added benefit to seniors that companies such as Brinks cannot offer. Seniors can have difficulty getting to the telephone in a quick timeframe. This does not need to be a concern if ADT needs to verify an alarm. The control panel that is used with this system has built-in capabilities to speak with an ADT associate via speakerphone. The homeowner can be up to 75 feet away for the ADT associate to hear them which is an incredible range.

Another great feature of an ADT home security system is the instant call buttons for fire, police and medical. These buttons can be a lifesaver in the event of a medical emergency. When the user hits the button emergency response teams will be dispatched to the location.

As you can see it is still possible for our seniors to live a safe and healthy life in their own homes. A quick and easy installation of a home security system such as the ADT Safewatch system can provide comfort and security. Your senior will never be alone while their home is being monitored and you can rest assured that if a problem arises help will be on the way.

Every homeowner should consider a home security system to help prevent burglary, fire and carbon monoxide poisoning.  In addition, a home security system can provide local emergency notification for medical emergencies.

Your home is a place where you find peace and enjoy the company of your family.  While it is one of the most important investments you may make in your lifetime, the most important investment is the safety of your family.  A home security system is an ideal choice for families with children and when a spouse often travels for work.  It is also an ideal choice for the elderly and those that live alone.

Homes are always susceptible to burglary, which is why it is important to take the topic of home security seriously.  Even a basic system can provide protection and help prevent intrusion.  Burglars are more apt to choose a home that does not have a security system – and if your home does have one, it may be passed by.

Things to consider when choosing a home security system include researching security systems, comparing features and prices and contacting the local police dispatching center for information on how your area handles home security monitoring systems.

ADT Home Security is the nation’s leading provider of alarm systems, and while they are not the cheapest – they are the best by far.  A basic security system will include door and window contacts, interior motion detector and manual fire and emergency notification service.  Services start at only $35.99 per month.

Monitored home security systems provide enhanced features and are highly recommended.  The system will automatically contact the alarm dispatch center that will in turn confirm emergency services are needed.  If there is a real emergency, the alarm dispatch center will then contact the local fire and/or police to the home immediately.

Unfortunately, unmonitored systems must rely on the homeowner or neighbors to contact fire or police department.  The price difference between monitored and unmonitored is so negligible that it is recommended that homeowners invest the few additional dollars per month to provide a world of difference.

To help choose an ADT security package that is right for you, ask friends and neighbors about their home security systems and get feedback.  Review the features of the different plans available to see which plan meets your needs.  Be sure to ask about the warranty.  Learn all there is to know about monitored systems and how to handle home emergencies.  Educate the entire household on proper safety procedure and what to do should an emergency occur.

Next, call the local police department to see how home alarm dispatching is handled in your area; most communities have a protocol and will differ depending on where you live.  Finally, call your homeowners insurance company to find out what kind of discounts they can offer you based on the type of alarm system you have installed.  You may find you will save up to 20% per year on home insurance fees.