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.

If you’re like most people, you run around in the morning trying to get to work or school and sometimes forget to arm your home security system when leaving because there’s already so much on your mind.

Chances are you then do one of two things: you either backtrack home to arm the system or you spend all day fretting over the “what ifs” of life. Either way, neither scenario is ideal.

Fortunately, you now have a third option that is less stressful and a whole lot more productive: arm your system remotely.

Yes, you read that right. Thanks to advances in home security technology you can now arm or disarm your alarm system remotely through the use of your cell phone or computer.

That means you’ll no longer have to fret all day or spend time heading home, but it’s also a great resource for another reason.

If a situation changes at home where you need to disarm your system midday for a contractor or anyone else you want to allow access to your home, you can now disarm your alarm without revealing your code.

Your list of things to do in the morning just got a lot shorter thanks to advances offered by certain alarm systems.

Why not take advantage of the latest technologies being offered by some security providers such as ADT and either upgrade your system or install an initial one that has streamlined efficiencies such as those mentioned?

Most of us remember the days of science fiction films where the technology being shown seemed totally out of reach. Not so when it comes to wireless home security alarm systems that are becoming increasingly commonplace in today’s high-tech fast-paced world.

Now, instead of having an arm full of groceries, kids, or pets and still trying to input your manual code at a wall-mounted keypad (juggling all the way), you can simply use a key fob to remotely arm or disarm your system. How’s that for an almost hands-free process?

Additionally,  systems monitored by names such as ADT now allow you to arm or disarm your home alarm system from your cell phone and computer – regardless of where you’re located. That means if you get a call mid-afternoon that a contractor needs to gain access to your home, you no longer have to take time away from work to run home to disarm your system, or even more risky, to reveal your alarm code.

With advanced features being offered you simply disarm your alarm system via your cell phone or computer, and when you know the contractor has left )often-times by receiving a text alert from your system) you simply rearm you alarm the same way – through your cell phone or computer! Pretty easy, wouldn’t you agree?

If you’ve been thinking about installing an alarm system or have a system that doesn’t include this new easy-to-use technology, now might be the time to consider either installation or an upgrade.

It’s always a time of interest when the FBI releases their Annual Crime Statistics Uniform Crime Report (UCR), and the good news for homeowners is that the FBI’s 2010 numbers indicated an average 2.8 percent decline in the number of property crimes over the previous year.

This might indicate that the need for home alarm systems is not as imperative as it once was, but an FBI spokesman commented “there are many factors that go into crime levels” such as economic conditions, and since the country’s economic condition continues to struggle, these declining numbers may once again shift.

As such, home alarm systems might become more of a factor.

Home Alarm Systems Could Contribute to Decreased Statistics

Another item to consider is that statistics may be one thing, but home alarm systems that ring through to 24/7 monitoring systems like ADT are another – and the protection offered by home alarm systems such as those should never be minimized.

The Sign that Deters

Another item the report does not cover is whether yard signage provided by some home alarm monitoring companies like ADT helps as a deterrent to property crime. Still, one must agree that that such signage does deter would-be intrusions.

Knowing all of this, the message seems clear:  the signage provided by home alarm companies should be prominently displayed to dissuade would-be intruders.

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.

When it comes to motion sensor lights, most people’s minds immediately run to the outside of a house thinking the exterior is the only application for this useful crime deterrent.  But if you want to add an element of security to the interior of your home on top of an alarm system the good news is that there are some ceiling mounted motion sensor lights that work just as well inside the home as outside.

If mounted inside the house near a door, you can understand how the sudden illumination of a light could startle and ultimately deter a would-be intruder from wanting to enter further. Additionally, the feature of a motion sensor interior light is helpful for personal safety reasons, as well; should you ever have to get up in the middle of the night for an emergency.

A quick online search or a trip to your local home goods store will put you in touch with several stylish options, with a lot of them being Energy Star rated.

Also, while you’re at the store, you may want to consider an automatic dusk-to-dawn interior light control for lamp adaption. These are handy items that are less cumbersome than a timer, don’t have to be adjusted or modified for changing daylight hours like automatic timers do, and usually come in under $10 per control.

Most people living in tornado, earthquake, or hurricane prone cities know the importance of having an emergency kit packed at all times in the home in addition to their alarm system.

But even if you live in an area that doesn’t suffer from such extremes, an emergency kit in the house is an excellent idea since emergencies can arise at any time regardless of your geographic locale.  Following are some of the items that should always be on hand and a part of your kit:

• Water at the rate of one-gallon per person per day (using three days as a minimum guideline)
• Food for each person for the same minimum three day period (canned and non-perishable)
• Battery-powered or hand cranked radio and flashlight (and extra batteries for both)
• First aid kit and supply of prescription medications
• Whistle to blow for help
• Dust mask, moist towelettes, garbage bags, and tools (including a can opener)
• Infant formula, baby food, and pet food

For a complete list of emergency items, check out the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) website.

It’s pretty much common knowledge that a system provided by ADT security is one of the best moves you can make to improve your home’s safety. But beyond the obvious you may want to also consider the following ideas to increase safety inside your home.

1. If you have area rugs in your home it’s suggested that you always use a rug pad to prevent slipping (and falling). In absence of a rug pad you can use double-sided tape.
2. While ADT provides fire monitoring, it’s also a good idea to make sure that an A-B-C rated all-purpose fire extinguisher is accessibly located in the kitchen.
3. Motion sensor outdoor flood lights have proven to deter many a would-be intruder from coming inside the home. They’re easy to install and do their job well!
4. It’s recommended that nightlights (or a light on a timer) be used in bathrooms and hallways that lead from the bedroom to the bathroom not only for personal safety, but the ambient light can serve as a deterrent to would-be intruders.
5. Make sure that you have a peephole installed to all exterior doors – front, back, and side – since you never know where someone will be knocking to gain access.

Statistics provided by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) indicate that almost 17,000 US deaths in 2004 could be attributed to carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.

Some sources inside your home which might attribute to increased levels of carbon monoxide include:

•    Furnace
•    Fireplace
•    Stove
•    Barbecue
•    Gasoline powered garden tools
•    Gasoline, diesel, or propane powered generators

Since death from the odorless and colorless gas can occur within a matter of minutes, recognizing the symptoms of CO poisoning is critically important.

•    Unexplained shortness of breath
•    Unexplained headaches or dizziness
•    Unexplained nausea

If you (or a member of your household) exhibit any of the following symptoms, immediate access to fresh air and a call for emergency response in recommended.

Also, since CO is so silent in nature, it is highly recommended that a carbon monoxide home alarm system detector be installed inside the home and garage.