My Home Security Pro Safety Tips

Safety for Children

The children are the main concern in the family when it comes to protection and safety. ADT Home Security has given some pointers to help you in keeping your children safe.

Inside Your Home.

Make sure your children know of the safety procedures in your home, in case they'll be home alone without any adults around and an emergency arises. The important safety measures they have to know would consist of the fire escape route, the emergency phone numbers and rules, basic first aid, safe routes to and from home, and what to do when the security alarm goes off.

Your children should also be aware of who can be allowed to enter your home. Orient them on how to check an individual's identity before opening the door, too. Make an example by locking the doors and windows, and by checking to see the person at the door before opening it.

When they are having their friends over, set some limits as to what happens at home and with other visitors. This especially goes when there are no adults at home.

Protection Outside.

Of course, protection doesn't end inside the home. When they're outside, they should also be aware of their physical limitations. Teach them how to react towards strangers and not accept any gifts from them, and how to stay clear of any suspicious people.

When they get lost in a store or a mall, teach them to approach a store clerk or the security for guidance.

Make sure your children know the full names of every family member, your complete address, and phone number (with the area code).

Teach your children how to contact the authorities by using a play phone and teaching them how to dial 911 or call the operator. Show them how to use a pay phone, too, as this could become essential when they are outside.

When Children Are Home Alone.

When you're away, make sure the children know how to reach you and your neighbors in case of emergencies. Check on them and have them check on you when they arrive home or if they're going somewhere.

Teach them to keep the pretense that there's an adult at home even when there's not.

Safety for Seniors

Crime chooses no age. Even when you're old, you can still be the victim of a break-in. So what does one we do when age has caught up to us?

Make sure you've installed very strong locks on the doors and windows.

Don't leave keys under potted plants or doormats. Burglars already know about this tactic. But you can leave a spare set of keys with your trusted neighbors. Make sure you've also turned your security system on so that the ADT command centers will be notified if your alarm is triggered by any problems.

Check the IDs or with the company if delivery people and salespeople call upon your door.

For the benefit of the authorities when you call for them on emergencies, see to it that the street number or your house number is large and can be read easily.

Safety from Burglary

Burglary is a serious crime wherein your privacy is being violated and your family and sense of security and peace is threatened. What makes burglary even more cruel and frightening is that it sometimes comes with violence.

One way to tick off the burglars is to install a security system, which has a loud alarm and comes with detectors and motion sensors in every relevant point in your home. Most burglars would think twice before breaking into a home with a monitored security system ready to go off anytime the house is violated.

Always keep the pretense that someone is in the house even if there isn't. Don't leave a message on your answering machine which states that you're not home. Make sure your mail and subscriptions aren't piled up while you're away. You can ask the post office to hold onto your mail, have the subscriptions stopped for a while, or have your neighbor take care of them.

It's also advisable to leave a car in your driveway or garage, signaling to burglars that there's someone home even when there isn't. You can also ask your neighbor to keep a car there from time to time.

Don't forget to make an inventory of your valuables. Store them in a place safe, and if possible in a place other your home.

False Alarm

False alarms can not be prevented, especially at the present wherein we have to be alert because of the increasing diligence of burglars. But false alarms need to be avoided. For one, it can cost you money for the false alarm fees. Second, the forces of the police and fire departments have their limits and we shouldn't waste their time if we can.

With ADT Home Security, you can help to avoid false alarms by doing the following:

• Checking keypad codes and passwords of your security system. If ever you want some changes, then contact the company and have a professional check and test your home security system.
• Some of the family members may not know how to use the security system. Make sure everyone is oriented on how the security system works and how to turn it on and off.
• Check and see to it that the doors and windows are securely closed and locked when the alarm is turned on. Make sure there are no hanging objects nearby that can cause the motion sensors and detectors to go off, like wind chimes and curtains.
• Take care that your pet/s may not wander near the alarms and cause them to go off.
• Make sure you disarm the security system when you arrive home.
• Check the system batteries to make sure that the security system is working well. Do the same for individual security devices like smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms.