Condo owners share unique home security concerns. Some of the issues are the same – making sure to keep doors locked, securing windows,and arranging to have mail taken inside while you’re away on vacation.

Other concerns are different, however. Perhaps the main contrast is that all condominiums and buildings are different. It’s necessary to take a close look at your building’s current security measures. Is there a doorman? Do you need a special key to enter the front door? Answering these questions will help you determine your next steps.

Consider installing a home security system. ADT home security offers great deals and their reliable security systems can help keep you and your family safe. You’ll also want to make sure that your lawn is well-maintained. Tall grass and overgrown shrubs provide the perfect hiding spaces for criminals on the prowl doing reconnaissance on your condo. Finally, be certain that the locks on your front door have been changed since the previous condo owner moved out. If you don’t, the person who lived there last has an easy way to access all of your belongings whenever they want; in fact, they can just walk right in.

Apart from the issues above, specific condo security concerns relate to behavior. Don’t give your key to neighbors, and make sure to close the building door behind you, not allowing anyone to follow.

Home security and safety for your condo needs to be taken seriously. Start taking the proper precautions today.

Most residents of New York City wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. The Big Apple, with all of its people and excitement, can feel like the center of the universe. Of course, with all of that excitement comes danger, in the form of burglaries and home intrusions.

The New York Police Department (NYPD) publishes crime statistics weekly, and a quick glance at the data shows that continued vigilance is necessary. For the week of January 11-17, for example, there were more than 1000 grand larcenies and burglaries across the city. Avoid being one of those affected by adhering to the following home security tips for your New York City home.

Install a Home Alarm System: Alarms are important for New Yorkers, whether they live in apartments, townhomes, or houses. Installing an award-winning brand can make a real difference in your protection.

Change Your Locks: Many New Yorkers live in rental units. This begs the question: how many people had access to those keys before you moved in? Avoid a potential problem by changing the locks on your door each time you rent a new apartment. In fact, you can ask your landlord to perform this service for you, often free of charge.

Meet Your Neighbors: They’re not there just to socialize; the neighbors across the hall can be a powerful part of your home security plan. Have a candid discussion about what home security means to you. Encourage them to call you and the police if they spot suspicious behavior. It’s always better to respond to a false alarm than do nothing in the face of an emergency.

New York City is one of the most wonderful places on Earth. Don’t take any chances with your home security, and you’ll always be able to enjoy it.

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.