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.

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.

Spring is here. That means its time to update your garden – and your home security. While weather-related home security issues decrease in the spring, it’s important to update your home for other potential dangers like burglary and fire.

Always remember to activate your home security system. Most burglaries occur during the day when people are at school or work. Make activating the home alarm part of your morning routine. People too often install a home alarm and forget to use it. Leading home security providers like ADT connect your home to security centers that monitor your home 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Spring is also the perfect time to check the batteries in your home’s smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. You can upgrade your ADT home security system to including monitoring for both.

There are some easy ways to improve your home security while improving the look of your lawn, too. Check for overgrown bushes and shrubs near windows. Burglars often use these areas to hide as they work on gaining access to your home. By trimming bushes and keeping areas near windows and doors clear, you can make your home less appealing to criminals.

If you haven’t invested in a home alarm, spring is the time to do it. It’s a great way to increase your home’s security before taking off for that next family vacation.

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.

Single parents have their own unique set of challenges when it comes to keeping their kids safe. There’s often no one that can provide a second opinion for home security decisions. Below, we’ve outlined ten tips for you to think about as you take steps to improve your child’s safety both inside and outside of the home.

Avoid Busy Bus Stops: A ball rolling into the street, forgotten glances both ways: there are any number of things that can go wrong while your child waits for the bus. If your child’s bus stop is in a busy spot, have them wait in the car, or drive them to school.

Have a Serious Talk About Home Security: Your son or daughter is old enough to hear the basics of home security. Tailor it to their age, but make sure to remain serious, impressing upon them how important home security is.

Install a Keypad Lock: Kids lose keys all the time. With the installation of a keypad lock, you can greatly reduce the chance of your child being locked out of your home.

Enlist the Family: Make Grandpa and Grandma and aunts and uncles part of your home security solution. Every little bit helps, and you’ll likely find that they’re happy to lend a hand.

Install an ADT Home Alarm System: No other home security provider in the industry has the experience and know-how that ADT offers. Their systems are so easy to learn that a child can be taught how to operate the control panel.

Cover Sharp Edges: Furniture often has sharp edges that can injure young children running around the house. Tape up pieces to avoid lacerations.

Get a Dog: Apart from the joy that a dog can bring into your home, there are real home security advantages that come along with a canine. Criminals will move to the next street when they hear the faintest bark, unwilling to contend with what could be a vicious pet.

Arrange Daycare: You don’t need to pay for someone to watch your children. Instead, set up a schedule with the parents of your children’s friends, saving everyone money and making sure that there is always an adult to supervise.

Add Carbon Monoxide Coverage: ADT home alarm systems offer optional carbon monoxide coverage. This silent killer is responsible for thousands of deaths each year; make sure your home is protected.

Plug Electrical Outlets: If you have younger children in your home, place cheap protective covers over electrical outlets to lower the risk of electrocution.

Homeowners across the broader Southwest region have watched as their neighbors go into foreclosure due to lost jobs and inflexible mortgage lenders. Unfortunately, some Phoenix, AZ homeowners may be ignoring their home security during this troubling time. Below, we’ve listed some tips to help you maintain your home throughout the recession.

Create a Neighborhood Watch Group: Talk to the homeowners around you about things you can do to keep up the neighborhood. Discuss group measures to preserve the appearance of the neighborhood, such as mowing lawns of unoccupied homes. It’s important that you show potential burglars that your block is still off-limits.

Install a Home Security System: One of the best ways to combat an intruder is with a home alarm system. Surprisingly affordable, this may be the most important thing you can do for your family and home security.

Change Your Locks: If you live in a rental, it’s important to change the locks when you move in. This is one of the simplest and least expensive home security measures in your arsenal, as well as one of the most effective. You can even ask your landlord to do it for you.

Remove Your Hide-a-Key: It’s amazing how many homeowners leave keys in easily accessible places. Think criminals are too stupid to look under your door mat? Think again. A safer alternative is a keypad door lock, which can be modified to accept a temporary code if you need to let someone in.

Home security for your Phoenix, AZ property has never been more important. Invest in some simple measures today, such as an ADT home alarm system, and you’ll be safe, rather than sorry.

For something as important as the safety of your family, home security often doesn’t rank as high on priority lists as other household routines. That’s a mistake, because nothing can change your life faster than a lapse in the protection of your property. Below, we’ve listed five of the most common mistakes that homeowners make. All can be easily remedied for immediately improved home security.

Unlocked Doors: In their rush to get to school or work, many people leave their front doors unlocked. No matter how safe and secluded you feel your home is, always secure the door, preferably with a deadbolt lock.

Open Blinds: Never leave your blinds open when you’re not home. Why give burglars a view into your house so they can see the value of your possessions?

Unlocked Vehicle: Many people keep garage door openers in their cars, along with information that includes your full home address. A criminal can easily steal these two items and use them to break into your home.

Unruly Landscaping: Aside from the aesthetic value of a nicely kept lawn and landscaping, tall grass gives criminals a place to hide as they scope out your home. Properties with unmowed lawns are also a sign to criminals that you are not home or have been away for a while.

Unarmed Home Alarm Systems: Home alarm systems can go a long way towards keeping your home and family safe…but only if it’s been armed. It takes mere moments to turn the system on using the keypad as you leave your home or go to sleep for the night. Those extra seconds spent turning it on could save your life or prevent your house from being robbed.

When it comes to home security, there is a certain something to be said about strength in numbers. There are several components that come together to determine how well-protected your property is. The easiest to value are physical, like home alarm systems or improved bolt locks on all doors. Then there are the “intangibles”, things that can’t be boiled down to statistics and data.

One of the most powerful things you can do under this second category comes with the establishment of a neighborhood watch group. Your house, as it stands, is just one part of a larger community. By bringing the other homes in your neighborhood into a collective security agreement, you ensure that crime won’t have a chance of taking hold.

Start small: invite your neighbors into your home for a short meeting about home security. This will likely be a get-together that people will be very willing to attend. Compose a short agenda, talking about the major points of home protection, such as the importance of maintaining lawns, locking doors, and reporting suspicious behavior around the neighborhood. Talk to your local police department; they will likely be thrilled to send out an officer to talk to the group.

A neighborhood watch group is especially important for maintaining home security while you’re away on vacation. Let your friends in surrounding homes know of your vacation plans ahead of time. That way, if they spot something out of the ordinary, they can take the appropriate steps to stop a crime before it happens.

Security and safety start inside your house with concrete measures like the installation of an ADT monitored home alarm system, but it doesn’t stop there. With the help of the other property owners that live in your neighborhood, you can keep your home even better protected from intruders.

Most people would agree that home alarm systems are a good source of protection against burglary, fire and other emergencies.  Homeowners have been installing them for nearly a century to keep the dangers of the outside world right where they belong – outside.

Little did we know they can also protect families from illegal activities of the, um … homegrown kind.

That’s exactly what this family found out when police arrived to check on an alarm call that went unanswered at their Charlotte, N.C. home.  According to reports from local news station WBTV, the officers rushed to the home after an alarm was activated and the homeowners failed to answer calls from the security company.  Once on the scene, officers noticed the front door was open, so they went inside to check on the family.

That’s where police say they discovered marijuana plants, plus one more out back, roots bagged and lying on its side.  So they arrested one suspect, and may charge another.

Now that’s what I call total home protection.

But for you law-abiding citizens who take your security seriously, ADT home alarm systems are your best bet for the ultimate in home protection.  And with 4 interconnected command centers monitoring your home 24/7, help is never far away – as our ill-fated family learned this week.

All Home Security offers great deals on ADT security packages.  Sign up today to keep your home and family safe.  And let ADT take care of the bad guys – one way or another.