Here is a list along with some additional home security safety tips are a good idea for kids that have to spend any time on their own. Go over this list of rules and post them for your youngster. Explain why each one is so important and offer more suggestions for handling each situation.

1.    Never tell anyone on the phone that you’re home alone. If anyone calls asking, “is your mother or father home?”, or if they are simply asking for a parent to speak with, tell them that your parent is busy and unable to come to the phone. Ask if you can take a message.

2.    Never answer the door to a stranger. If someone comes to the door and you look out the window or peephole and do not recognize them, either be quiet like you’re not there at all, or simply say, “my mother/father can’t come to the door right now.” If the person insists on your opening the door, do not hesitate to call 911 and tell the person that you’ve done so.

3.    If you have a home alarm system, always set it so that you are protected and secure inside the home. Set it to “home” and the home alarm system will know that someone is supposed to be at home. If a door or window is opened without entering the code, the alarm will activate.

4.    Be sure you know where the fire extinguisher is if you plan to do any cooking. Even the simplest of microwave meals can turn into a flaming disaster within moments. Understand how to operate the fires extinguisher and always call 911 before you attempt to put out a fire yourself.

Remind your kids that staying at home on their own is as much of a privilege for them as it is a convenience for you. You are expecting certain adult behaviors from them and trust them to do what is right.

Look into the various home alarm systems in your area and see if two way monitoring, cell phone and computer updates are available. You might be able to visually check up on the kids via a laptop webcam or other cameras placed strategically throughout the house.

When it comes to home security and family, there is no such thing as over protective!

It’s that time of year again.  Holiday vacations are on the horizon and you’re dreaming about what the sunsets will look like after a grueling day of tanning and swimming.  It’s hard to interrupt such pleasant departures of the imagination, but there’s also an element of safety to consider.

You don’t want a holiday interrupted because you failed to take some basic precautions.  You’re leaving your home for a while.  You’ve taken steps to keep your ADT home alarm system activated while you’re away, right? Once you’ve made arrangements with friends or neighbors to look after the homestead, back it up with these three steps for a safe beach holiday.

1. Make your hotel room less attractive to thieves. Hotel rooms are not private, and usually lack the security of a home security system. There are plenty of staff members passing through, most of whom are trustworthy.  However, it only takes one, so keep your hotel room free of valuable items.  There is no home alarm to sound when the chambermaid changes the sheets.  Keep your jewelry in the safe and your cash in the bank.

2. Keep the door to your hotel room locked.  Even when you have friends or your children coming and going, it’s a good habit to lock it up.  If you’re in the shower, and someone goes for the newspaper while leaving the door unlocked, it can be open season for someone passing by.

3. Remember that the beach is a public area.  Even in private beaches, it’s difficult to keep people from swimming over from different areas, or walking down the edge of the water, which is usually public property.  When you go for a swim or take a walk, don’t leave anything behind that you will miss if it disappeared.  You’ll live if a beach towel is gone — losing your wallet could spell a true disaster.

Keep these simple tips in mind as you enjoy your vacation this summer. Take a few elements of your home security plan with you on holiday. With a few basic precautions, you can safeguard your family and belongings, ensuring a pleasant stay away from home.

It looks like this summer could have the necessary ingredients for the perfect storm that will send crime rates soaring through the roof. First off, it looks like criminal activity is trending upward along with the Recession, as desperate people begin to take desperate measures. Though concrete statistics have yet to be determined, police chiefs around the country report a noticeable increase in reported crimes. Most are recommending home security systems as the most potent method available to citizens for protecting against this surge.

That still leaves the second front sweeping in, which threatens to turn the situation into an even more serious national event. Many meteorologists are counting on July and August to set new records for heat and humidity across the nation, as thermometers slowly start to creep upward.

Sociologists have long known that rising temperatures result in rising crime rates. People tend to spend more time outside of their own homes, leading to more invasions. Extreme heat also leads to a general loss of self-control and restraint. Finally, don’t forget that kids are out of school, unsupervised, and looking to cause trouble.

All of this means that there’s never been a better time to protect your property.

Consider that all of this heat will almost certainly lead to increased blackouts, as more and more folks switch on their air conditioners to beat the heat. Other home security providers limit their coverage to one command center. In contrast, ADT spreads the risk across four interconnected command centers.

This summer, give your family the protection they deserve. With a home alarm system that is reliable and ready to protect you and your loved ones.

Now that the school year’s final bell has rung, your kids have a lot more free time. You’ve probably heard the expression about the Devil and idle hands, and summer is chock full of opportunities for bored children to get themselves into trouble. The hot months of June, July, and August can be enjoyed safely both inside and outside of the home, as long as you take some simple precautions.

The Stranger Talk: It’s almost a cliché by now, but make sure your children know that they should never get into a car with a stranger. While a home alarm system can keep your kids safe while they’re hanging out at home, they’ll need to exercise more caution when in public.

Stay Hydrated: This one’s pretty simple, but often overlooked. Dehydration can lead to very serious consequences, including heat stroke and even death. Let your kids know that they should be drinking before they get thirsty, rather than after. On the hottest days of summer, skip outdoor activities and head to a movie theater or bowling alley.

Don’t Forget to Set the Alarm: When sweat is pouring down your face and you can feel your skin already starting to burn, you’ll find yourself forgetting to do things that are normally almost second nature. Whenever you leave your home, make sure to set your ADT home security system. This technology is easy enough for kids to use, so get them involved. You should also teach them how to operate the two-way communicator in case of an emergency. This device will put them in touch with a trained home security professional immediately.

Clear Expectations for Being Home Alone: Staying home alone is a big responsibility, no matter how old your child is. Make sure they understand everything that’s necessary to maintain home security, from dangers in the kitchen to how to deal with a fire.

Your kids’ safety is the number one priority this summer. With tools like a home security system and some basic education, you can be sure that they’ll be kept out of harm’s way.