If you’re a pet lover you probably can’t imagine a more terrifying experience than coming home to find your pet missing. It’s growing increasingly common for dogs to be stolen from homes or yards for any number of disturbing reasons such as “bait dogs” to train fighting dogs, animal testing and biomedical experimentation, or the offer of a lucrative reward to name a few.

Purebred dogs are the most common victim since their pedigrees have actual “street value.” As purebred dogs become increasingly popular, stolen dogs can be sold for up to half the price that legitimate breeders offer ownership.

If you have an alarm system in your home, your dog’s safety is also protected while he or she is inside. And even better, if you have an outside pet, install a security camera in your yard so that would-be thieves will see the camera and possibly be dissuaded from following through with the actual abduction.

Should you be the unfortunate victim of such a frightening crime, take immediate action by calling your local police and animal control center and filing a report. After that, contact your local shelters and monitor pet ads listed in newspapers and online since pet thieves who are looking to profit will most likely be using these resources to promote the sale.

The bottom line is that your pet is more than likely an important member of your family. And just as you make sure that your family members are protected with a home security system, your four-legged companion deserves the same security, too!

It’s common knowledge among law enforcement agencies that July is the month of the year that sees the most crime with regard to home invasions since most people typically use this month for vacation, leaving the home unoccupied.

Similarly, the back-to-school season can leave homes equally unoccupied between time spent away shopping for clothes and supplies or even the eventual long hours during the day when occupants are at school.

Why not use this time of year to make sure that you’ve included some lesson plans of your own by making sure your home security system has the technology you need to keep this otherwise busy time of year running smoothly and safely?

For example, there are now advances in home security technology that can alert you via a text message or email when a major event happens at your home such as a child leaving for or coming home from school.

Or how about technology that allows you to arm or disarm your system remotely through a computer or phone? That means if a child accidently forgets to arm the system when leaving for school you can still make sure your home is protected by setting the alarm yourself from work. How’s that for peace of mind?

Closing thoughts

As summer winds down it can sometimes be easy to let your guard down. Instead, make sure that your home stays as protected as it needs to be year round by incorporating the latest technology being offered by home alarm monitoring companies such as ADT.

Summer is in full swing and children are enjoying outside activities once again. While it’s always recommended that children enjoy as much outside-time as possible, it’s important to also remember that parents can ensure their children’s safety outdoors as much as the home alarm system provides safety at home by following these three helpful tips:

1.       Stay in Touch. Make sure your children keep you informed of where they are headed to whenever they walk out the door to play. Explain to them that any deviation from the original plan needs to be immediately communicated to you.

2.       Set Boundaries. Make sure your children understand the maximum distance they are allowed to physically  be away from home and make sure it’s never too far to make it back home safely once darkens starts to descend. Also keep in mind that this distance and timeline will need to be adjusted as the seasons and day light change throughout the year.

3.       Teach Awareness. Sure, it’s easy for kids to get caught up in the activities they are involved in, but coach your children to understand the importance of staying aware of their surroundings – specifically changes in surroundings they are familiar with. This awareness can serve to have your children remove themselves from a situation they might otherwise be unlikely to if they had not been as aware initially.

And if you want an added safety element this summer, why not get your children their own phones? Just as you have your home armed with a security system that rings out in an emergency, a phone will enable your children to ring out when they need assistance.

As most people know, crime increases during the summer months. So what better time than now to revisit three popular home safety tips that might have been neglected in the rush to enjoy summertime fun!

1.      Maintenance Matters. Sure, it may be too hot to spend hours on outdoor home maintenance, but never neglect trimming the hedges and bushes that surround your home’s windows and doors since they can serve as a convenience hiding place for a would-be intruder if left untrimmed.

2.      Longer Daylight Hours. Yes, we all like the fact that the days seem longer in the summer months. But what this means, too, is that would-be intruders will be using the abbreviated evening hours for their own opportunity. One way to counter against this night-time worry is to install motion-sensor lights outside of all your home’s windows and doors to startle and would-be intruder away.

3.      Privacy Always Matters. It’s often tempting in the summer months to keep curtains open more often than usual. If you want to do this, make sure that items that contain personal information, such as bank statements and bills, are kept out of view from anyone looking in through the windows. Your security could be compromised without anyone actually entering your home if you leave the information accessible for anyone looking in.

A lot of homeowner’s put merit into spring cleaning. Why not use the summer months as a time to make sure your home’s security is maintained at an appropriate level to keep you and your family safe? Take a look at some of the great home security options being offered by companies such as ADT.

The Orlando Sentinel reported in February of this year that “most burglars don’t want to contend” with a dog and as such, having a dog as a pet can often be a great way to enhance your home alarm system. Dogs have been used throughout history as a form of guarding and protection, so this is nothing new; but a visit to some of the more popular breeds as a security companion is always worth reexamining.

Certain breeds that are considered well-suited for protection as a watch-dog include the Scottish terrier, Poodle, Dachshund, and Shih Tzu. Note here that the distinction is “watch dog” and not “guard dog” since the primary goal is to alert you that there is activity occurring. Often, that alert is all that is needed to dissuade a would-be intruder from wanting to gain access to your property.

However, the same article went on to point out that some home insurance companies will not be able to provide  insurance to residences that have certain breeds of dogs living on the property such as large breed guard dogs. So, before you fall in love with that cute little puppy, it’s best to call your insurance agent to make sure your selection will keep you insurable!

Also, if you do have an alarm system in your home make sure it contains a pet sensitive motion detector such as those offered by ADT before bringing your new companion home!

Most people probably don’t think that trimming shrubbery or trees is a measure of home security, but surprisingly, it is.

Overgrown trees and shrubs can prove problematic for two reasons:

1. Tall trees can become a natural lightening rod during inclement weather, as well as having the potential to crash into a home during heavy wind storms such as hurricanes or tornadoes.  Once the structure of the home has been compromised, it is open to invasion not only from the natural elements, but to those of a criminal nature, as well.
2. Overgrown shrubs around windows and doors serve as the perfect hiding place for would-be intruders to plant themselves while either casing the residence or waiting for an opportune time to gain entry.  Additionally, tall tree limbs that rub against a home can provide easy second-story window access for would-be intruders, and since second-story windows are frequently left unlocked, this scenario occurs far more often than not.

Sure, a home security system is always the best defense, but exercising prudent judgment concerning property maintenance is an important element to home safety, as well.

If you don’t have a security system that protects home access areas such as windows and doorways you might want to incorporate a few (if not all) of these tips until you are able to be more fully armed with a home safety system.

1. Make sure exterior doors are solid core construction.
2. All strike plates for exterior doors (or interior doors if you want to provide individual locked-room safety) should be installed using nothing shorter than three inch screws. Anything shorter makes it super-easy for the doors to be kicked in.
3. Sliding door panels should be equipped with an auxiliary lock so both door panels can be locked together.
4. Even if you keep your car parked in the garage, make sure keys are removed from the car in all instances.
5. Exterior doors (including front, back and garage) should be equipped with wide-angle peephole viewers, and remember to always be cautious of who is standing on the other side since would-be intruders have been known to dress in uniform and even carry flowers for supposed delivery.
6. Make sure trees and shrubs have been trimmed from around windows so clear visibility is never in question.
7. A closed window is not deterrent enough – it also needs to be kept locked!
8. And in addition to being kept locked, windows should be equipped with an auxiliary locking device.
9. Make sure your window locks are securely mounted since any loss of integrity can open an opportunity for an easier break-in
10. Install motions sensor lights around all windows and doors for two reasons: these alone are often enough of a deterrent; but if someone is still bold enough to try to break in you’re more likely to see them in the act (remember the peepholes?) and call 9-1-1.

Home safety means more than making sure that your home is protected from uninvited physical intrusion thanks to the use of an alarm system. It also means making sure that family members or visitors don’t suffer any unfortunate consequences as a result of items that you may have inside your home.

National poison control statistics indicate that roughly two million calls are made each year concerning possible poisonings and almost all of them are concerning poisonings in the home.

So how can you protect your home from being one of these? Follow these steps and make them practice in your own household:

•    Install safety latches and childproofing to all cabinets.

•     Make certain all potential poisons and chemicals are kept inside these locked cabinets.

•    Keep food products and chemical products stored separately.

•    Store toxins and poisons in their original containers.

•    Many poisonings have occurred because of assumptions based on the container alone.

It’s also important to recognize the signs of potential poisoning which can include difficulty breathing, difficulty speaking, dizziness, foaming or burning of the mouth, and nausea to name a few.

If you suspect poisoning, immediately contact 9-1-1, your local Poison Control, or the national hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Timing is important, so make the call as quickly as possible after poisoning is suspected.

Is there a typical profile that the most commonly invaded home falls into? If a would-be burglar is looking at properties to invade, the typical profile is a home that most likely has cash laying around and a home with residents that are less likely to put up resistance (such as the elderly, women, or children).

I’m mostly afraid at night. Is that when most home invasions occur? Surprisingly, no. Granted, while home invasions occur every hour of every day, the most common time for a break-in is typically at 2:00 in the afternoon when homes are typically unoccupied or the male of the household is away from the premises.

What can I do to reduce my chance of becoming a victim? Apart from making sure an alarm system is not only installed but is armed and set 24/7, make sure all windows are kept locked (even on second floors), never answer a door if you are not expecting anyone or know the person, and install high quality door locks as well as reinforcing your exterior doors with a high strength strike plate since doors can be broken off their hinges in a matter of seconds without them.

As many people already know, burglary is typically a crime of opportunity. The Portland Police Bureau underscores this notion by pointing out three current burglary trends:

1. It seems that burglars are now reading obituary notices to gather information about those who have recently passed to either make plans to gain entry into the home (which in a lot of cases is left unoccupied for a period of time) or to steal identity. In cases such as this it just makes good sense to make sure that the home of the recently-deceased is armed with a security system even if the home is no longer physically occupied.
2. Burglars are now also frequenting real estate open houses to gain information about not only the types of belongings in the house but whether or not the home is currently occupied or in a state of limbo as it is being sold. Think about it – anyone touring an open house has every reason to open closets to look at closet space; but a perceptive thief will use the opportunity to see whether or not the closet has clothes in it; and if not, they know the home is unoccupied.
3. Likewise, burglars are driving through neighborhoods looking for real estate “For Sale” signs and then pay particular notice whether or not there is a lockbox on the door (which in many cases implies that the home is unoccupied but still somewhat furnished while the home is being marketed).

So, how do you prevent a possible burglary due to these conditions? The Portland Police Bureau recommends not printing an obituary, paying exceedingly close attention to all who enter a home during an open house, and to keep real estate lock boxes in a concealed location that is not easily seen by drive-by viewing.