With the leaves turning and Halloween just two weeks away, it’s time to think about fall home security. The economy is still on many peoples’ minds, and luckily, there are a number of inexpensive steps that can be taken to bolster the security of your ADT home alarm system. Follow these easy, cheap (even free!) tips to get started.

Lock the doors: You would be amazed by the number of homes that are left unlocked in your neighborhood. Some people forget to arm their home alarm system when leaving, but you have to touch the lock each time you open the door! If necessary, post a note on the inside of your home to remind yourself, and don’t forget to tell the kids.

Keep your name and address off your key ring: Losing your keys is a pain in the neck, but it’s not a disaster – unless you have your details written on the ring. You never know who will find your keys, and providing this information is like sending out an invitation to enter your home. Keys are inexpensive to replace, and if someone does want to do the right thing, they can return your set to one of the stores with a tag on the ring.

Install new locks: This is especially important if you’re moving into a new house or apartment. Even if you’ve been living in the same home for years, think how many repairmen, babysitters and dog walkers you’ve given your keys to over the years. Who knows if one of them has come upon hard times, and isn’t thinking clearly? Don’t let their misfortune cost you.

Keep up with yard work, especially if you’re leaving town: Don’t let the leaves (and soon the snow) pile up. Keep up appearances by maintaining your property. Nothing shouts “I’m not home right now!” louder than an unshoveled driveway.

A quality ADT home alarm system is a great way to protect your property, but don’t stop there. With these simple, effective tips, you can make your house even more secure.

ADT offers the best in home security monitoring, with over 130 years of experience working to protect your family. While installing an ADT security system is one of the best ways to help protect your home, there are several other things you can do to make your home even more secure.

Change the batteries on your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors:

Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are worthless if their batteries are drained. The fire department recommends checking batteries every 6 months.

Post ADT decals around your home:

Don’t be afraid to advertise your ADT home alarm system. When criminals see those window decals and signs in your yard, they’ll know it’s best to stay away. In fact, homes with monitored home alarm systems are three times less likely to be burglarized that those without a monitored system.

Upgrade your locks:

Do a brief inspection of your home’s doors and windows. Many older houses feature locks that are inadequate, rusty and do little for protection. For less than $200, you should be able to upgrade all the locks in your home to dead-bolts. If you want to take your home security into the 21st century, consider a digitized solution, such as a fingerprint operated lock. These are secure, easy-to-operate and ideal for families with children.

Installing an ADT alarm system is a great way to improve the security of your property. Follow the simple, yet effective tips mentioned above and turn your home into a secure fortress.

In the current economic climate, many homeowners are looking to cut corners wherever they can. With this in mind, some folks are exploring the option of installing a home security system by themselves. If you’ve been thinking along similar lines, take a moment to ask yourself this question: is it worth risking the safety of your family?

Whether you want to install a complicated wired system or a high-tech wireless alarm system, it’s best to leave it up to the professionals. ADT installation professionals undergo extensive training before setting foot in a home, and they constantly brush up on the latest techniques and technology to expand their knowledge base.

Home security is one area where you shouldn’t skimp. There is simply too much at stake. One loose wire could spell disaster, and that’s something you don’t want to risk. With the great deals available from ADT, there’s no reason to wait on having your system professionally installed. Along with receiving reliable equipment that uses the latest in home security technology, you’re home will also be linked to the company’s four interconnected monitoring centers. A professional install is a more reliable, safer solution than trying to do it yourself. There’s no reason to wait on an ADT home security system.

Fall and winter are two of the most exciting seasons. They’re packed with fun holidays that bring families together. Between Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas, you have three of the most celebrated days of the year. These holidays are great for a variety of reasons, but they all have something in common: an increased threat to home security.  Follow these basic tips to protect your family during each festive celebration.

Halloween: Everyone loves pumpkins, haunted houses and elaborate costumes. With the excitement of Halloween comes an increased need for safety precautions. Make sure your kids understand safety essentials for trick or treating. Go over warnings such as only accepting wrapped candy and never entering a stranger’s home. They should also use extra caution when crossing the street and should only approach homes with the lights on. It’s a good idea to accompany children under 14.

Thanksgiving: Turkey Day is one of the best times of the year for families to get together, and you can be sure that burglars know it. Make sure to set your ADT home alarm system before heading out. Leave more than one light on throughout the house to make it appear that someone is home.

Christmas: Those sparkling lights look gorgeous on the tree, but they can become a fire hazard for your home. This is especially true for older lights that weren’t crafted with fire safety in mind. Remember to turn off all Christmas lights at night. Also, remember the lessons Macaulay Culkin taught you in Home Alone. Potential intruders know that many homes are unoccupied during the Christmas-New Year’s period, so be sure to arm your ADT home security system.

Don’t let anything spoil the fun of the holidays. Take the proper precautions to help keep your property and family safe.

It’s October 2, and some states across the U.S. are hanging on to beautiful late summer temperatures in the 70s and 80s.  But for our neighbors in the northeast – particularly Boston, Mass. – the beginning of October usually marks the descent of the long, cold winter.

If you’re a Boston resident preparing a home for cold weather, you should keep a few tips in mind to ensure your home security and safety.  Here’s an excerpt from a great list published by the City of Boston:

• Be sure to properly install fuel-burning space heaters and appliances, and keep them away from curtains, furniture and bedding
• Make sure children and elderly persons keep clothes, toys and other items away from open heat appliances
• Caution your family against using flammable liquids to start or freshen a fire
• Equip your fireplace with a metal fire screen or heat tempered glass doors
•  Portable gas and oil heaters in fireplaces use up oxygen as they burn, so make sure you provide proper ventilation when they are being used
• If smoking indoors, keep large, safe ashtrays on-hand and never dispose of smoldering butts in wastebaskets
• If extending your home’s electrical wiring for a central heating system, be sure to hire a qualified electrician
• Regularly clear your yard of dried leaves and fallen branches to reduce the risk of brush fires
• Have a qualified serviceman inspect your heating equipment once a year
• Regularly clean and inspect your chimney
• It gets dark earlier in the winter, so make sure outdoor motion-sensor lights are in good working order for your return home in the evenings

Of course, to ensure maximum protection against intrusion and fire, many Boston residents choose ADT for their home alarm systems.  ADT’s interconnected network of 4 monitoring centers are backed by highly-trained monitoring professionals, reliable equipment and a 131 history of security services.

With ADT, Boston residents can rest assured their fall and winter will be safe.

ADT Security Services has been offering monitored burglary protection to homes and businesses for more than a century.  That long history has enabled ADT to develop a state-of-the-art monitoring system that surpasses all other home security providers, and has helped the company earn the title: “America’s #1 Home Security Provider”.

It’s a huge honor, but it comes with responsibility.  To show customers how seriously it takes that responsibility, ADT offers several guarantees to back up this claim.

First, ADT offers the Theft Protection Guarantee.  If your home is burglarized while your ADT system is armed, ADT pays your insurance deductible (up to $500).*  That’s pretty darn good.

Next, there’s the ADT Money-Back Service Guarantee.  If, within 6 months of installation, you’re unsatisfied with your ADT security system, ADT will refund your installation and monitoring fees if your concerns cannot be resolved.*  That’s a hassle-free guarantee many companies can’t — and won’t — offer.

Then there’s the Mover’s Security Guarantee.  If you move after two years of ADT service, ADT will provide a FREE ADT Security System for your new home, plus a 10% discount on upgrades.  That’s a value of up to $749!  The Premium Mover’s Package shows just how much ADT values its customers.  No matter where you’re moving, with ADT, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston or even Miami isn’t too far away to take the comfort of ADT security with you.

The last, and certainly not least, of ADT’s great customer guarantees is the Homeowner’s Insurance Discount offer.*  If you purchase an ADT security system, you could save up to 20% on your homeowner’s insurance.  This offer varies by insurance company, but it’s certainly worth asking your insurance agent if you qualify.

ADT Home Security makes customers its No. 1 priority.  Is it any wonder ADT is the No. 1 home security provider?

For great deals on ADT Home Security, check out these great offers.

* Certain restrictions apply. See reverse side of actual ADT Guarantee certificate for complete details.
** To qualify for the Movers Security Guarantee , you must have been with ADT for at least two years and your ADT account must be in good standing. You must also provide ADT with the name and telephone number of the new occupant of your former residence. Discount does not apply to purchase of the Safewatch ® Family package of the Safewatch ® Premier package in your new home. This discount cannot be combined with any other offers and is valid for residential customers only.

It’s the start of the Fall semester and college students around the country are gearing up for new classes, football season and fun with friends. Unfortunately, not enough students are concerned about safety. College campuses can give students a false sense of security, but the facts don’t lie. Each year, nearly 40,000 burglaries occur at colleges and universities across the country. The crime statistics are staggering – especially the ones revealing that most crimes committed are by fellow students. If you’re a college student or the parent of a college student, make sure you follow or share these safety precautions with others.

Be cautious at night. It’s not safe to walk home alone following a late night at the library or bar. Even if your campus is small or other students are walking around, find a friend to walk with. Many older campuses are not well-lit and ending up alone on a dark street is not a safe situation for anyone. Find out if your school has campus emergency transportation or “safe rides” for students alone at night and use them.

Lock your doors no matter where you live. Burglars are finding easier ways to get into dorms and access apartment buildings. Keep your dorm room locked at all times and even lock the windows when you leave. If you live in a house on or off campus, consider installing an ADT security system. Also make sure to hide valuables when you leave town for an extended period of time.

A growing number of colleges offer self-defense classes for students. Find a friend who is willing to join with you. It’s a great way to prepare yourself in case a dangerous situation arises. Following even the most basic safety precautions will help too. Always be aware of your surroundings when getting in and out of your car – especially at night. If you work late or take night classes, consider carrying pepper spray on your key chain. When it comes to campus safety, follow your instincts and always stick with friends.

These tips were brought to you by All Home Security, your online source for information about ADT Home Security. ADT Security is America’s #1 choice for home security.

It’s no secret that an occupied home is much less likely to be broken into than one that is unoccupied.  That means securing your home while you’re away is of paramount importance.  If you are going on vacation, heading out to spend the holidays with distant family, or just going on an extended business trip, it is vital that you protect your home adequately.  How do you ensure that your home is safe when you’re not at home?  What can you do to safeguard your home and your possessions when you travel?  Here are some handy tips to maximize your home security when you are not there.

1.    The very first thing that you need is a security system, preferably one monitored by ADT Security Services, the leading home security provider in the nation.  A professionally monitored security system offers tremendous protection, even when you are away. In fact, with most security companies, you can alert the monitoring center that you will be away for an extended time and they will step up security accordingly.  In short, there is no better way to ensure that your home and possessions are safe.  Of course, you can do many other things, as well.

2.    Newspaper and mail delivery are two other areas in which you should exercise care.  If you have daily newspaper delivery, ensure that you have someone pickup the papers as soon as they are delivered.  Nothing says “not home” quite so much as a stack of unread newspapers lying in the driveway.  You should also arrange to have your mail picked up by a trusted neighbor, friend or relative.

3.    The lighting in your home is another area of concern.  For instance, when you and your family are at home, you use the lights in your house on a regular basis.  A house that has no lights on is a tempting target for thieves and vandals.  You can leave certain lights on in your home, but this can be a giveaway if the lights remain unchanged day and night.  A better option is to ask a neighbor or friend to come in daily and switch lights on and off on a random basis.  You can even invest in an automated system that will mimic the actual light usage of your family while you are away.

4.    Window locks are one area that often suffers neglect.  While you may have strong door locks, your window locks may be a prime target for a burglar.  Before you leave for vacation, make sure that you have strong window locks on all of your ground floor windows and that they are all secure.  You should also make sure that there is no way that a burglar can climb to any second story windows; this includes trees, ladders, trellises and other items that can provide thieves with access.

As you can see, there are many things that you can do to help ensure your home is safe while you are away.  In addition to having your home monitored by ADT home security professionals, the single most important thing is to make it appear as though the home is occupied.  Use your friends, relatives and neighbors to give your home the semblance of normal life within and your home will be much safer.

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.