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WARNING: Read below about What Crooks Know before you leave this page!

Do You Know What Crooks Know?

How does a crook know you are not really home or not paying attention?

He checks your mailbox.
He can see newspapers piled up in front of your door.
He can see your yard un kept.
He moves little things in your yard to see if you notice. A twisted garden light; a mislocated garden cherub, did you see that?
He can easily determine that you are using a timer in your house because, since when, does the lights in one or two rooms come on and off while there are supposed to be people in the rest of the house? And so you have added light timers to every light in the house. Now there are no cars in the garage and so the crook knocks on your door and offers something innocent such as an offer to clean your gutters, or even if you could place a phone call for a tow truck for his cranked out car down the road. Continual ringing of the bell and banging on the door; you're done, man.

What About Your Alarm System?

A crook wants things quiet and easy. Even the small ADT system mentioned above could save your property and even your life. It does not matter if you own a gun or not. It does not matter if you know how to use a gun. A crook enters your home and he knows what he is going to do to you; meanwhile, you have to consider is it friend or foe. If you think that you are fast enough to sort it out, then good luck because one day, it will be a friend or relative on the business end of that gun. Get an early warning with an alarm so that you could sort it out.

He can see that you have an ADT or similar alarm and can then sort out ways to outsmart you. When you purchase your ADT alarm system, do not use the ADT signs, instead, use generic signs that are sold at most stores such as Radio Shack. You can even consider swapping signs with your neighbor that is three doors down. Knowing the type of alarm system you have is half the battle. For instance, monitored alarm wires could be cut while radio alarms could be easily jammed with $5 worth of parts from Radio Shack. Every kid in town knows how to make radio jammers. If the crook does not know what system you are using, they will not know what type of offense to use. Keep them guessing; do not give them too much information because they know too much already.

Consider two alarms: One monitored and the other not. The reason; the crook will continually trip your alarm in an effort to see which company shows up to the alarm call. Continual trip after trip while your alarm is blaring away and annoying the neighbors. Your alarm response company will come time and time again. Soon, they (and you) will write off the perceived false alarms as a malfunction. The alarm is disabled because the technician is scheduled to repair your alarm system in the morning. Now you and your family are at rest during the night without any type of protection at all. Keep them guessing. Purchase your monitored alarm from ADT and buy additional battery powered portable alarms from Radio Shack. These will keep you from being surprised in the night by a shadow over your bed. That said, even if they outsmart your posted alarm system; you have the little ones as backup. And so, who can hear the alarm sounding of these tiny alarms? It does not matter if you hear the alarm sounding in the middle of the night, what matters is that the burglar does not know if you heard the alarm or not. He is not stupid and will not be eager to meet with an angry home owner.

He is in your home, the alarm is ringing, and ADT is trying to call but you can not get to the phone or you will be seen. Turn off as many lights as possible because you know the inside of your home, chances are, the crook does not. Take advantage of that edge. Have on-hand kitchen/bathroom spray cleaners; bug sprays work just the same. Keep these in mind for they are good weapons. Lie completely on the floor on your stomach in the dark and spray the crook as he approach. Why lay on the ground? Your crook will shoot at you directly across and not to the floor. By the time he notices, you would have compromised his vision.

Your Car:

If you park your car in your driveway and not in the garage, would you please take the silly garage door opener out of the car and inside the house with you, pretty please? Most people lock up the car and house but leave the silly garage door opener outside with the car parked in the driveway. Might as well leave the keys to your house in the door.

Home Security Monitoring: Real Life Personal Stories
You hope nothing bad will ever happen to your home or family. But if it does, it's good to know ADT is on the job, ready to mobilize the help you need without delay. To find out how ADT home security services helped each of these ADT customers, click on the names below.

Mike Edwards – Home Fire Survivor
Mike Edwards returned to his home after work and began preparing dinner. As the food cooked, Mike went into another room to relax and fell sound asleep. A fire broke out, activating the heat sensor of his home security monitoring system in his kitchen. Before a smoke alarm went off, the heat sensor immediately sent a signal to an ADT Customer Monitoring Center. Within seconds the local fire department was notified.

As the firefighters sped to the house, an ADT associate called Mr. Edwards' wife at work. She said that her husband was indeed home, but that the door was likely dead bolted. Firefighters did, indeed, have to break down the door and paramedics found Mr. Edwards lying near the door, overcome by the thick smoke. They dragged his lifeless body from the burning house and promptly tried to revive him. After twice shocking him with electric paddles, they still could not detect any signs of life. Finally, after a third try, they were able to bring him back to life.

Weeks later Mr. Edwards stood in his charred home with his ADT salesperson, thinking about the ADT security monitoring system that had only been installed four months earlier. He thanked the representative stating, "If it weren't for you insisting that I needed fire protection that went beyond the battery-type smoke detectors, I'd be dead right now. I'll never again be without an ADT system in my home."

Heather Cates – Safely Goes into Labor
At approximately 11:30 p.m. on a February evening, the ADT Customer Monitoring Center received an alarm transmission from the security monitoring system at Heather Cates' residence. Following notification of the proper authorities, ADT's swing shift associate called the premises and inquired as to the reason for the medical alarm signal.

ADT Associate: Are you OK?
Ms. Cates: I'm holding on. I'm nine months pregnant with my third baby and my water just broke!
Immediately, the ADT associate began to solicit additional information from Ms. Cates in order to update the medical team heading to her home, while at the same time making sure that this mother-to-be remained calm. Staying on the phone line, the ADT associate was conscientious enough to enlist the support of an outbound teammate who was able to relay crucial information until the paramedics arrived. The paramedics provided verbal confirmation that Ms. Cates was stable and ready to be transported to the hospital.

Mary Brown – Senior Medical Emergency
With her husband John lying prone on the floor from a fall, Mary Brown signaled ADT for help from her home security monitoring system. Following an expeditious notification of the appropriate medical agency, a swing shift team member continued standard operating procedure and phoned the premises. A very distraught Mrs. Brown answered the phone wondering when medical assistance would arrive.

The ADT security monitoring associate first attempted to calm Mrs. Brown, assuring her that an ambulance was en route to their residence. The associate then went on to ask a variety of questions that would afford ADT the opportunity to provide an in-depth update and disclose pertinent information regarding the gentleman's medical history to paramedics upon their arrival. As a result of thorough probing, the associate was able to notify the medical response team of Mr. Brown's respiratory condition at the time and alert them that the 76-year-old patient had experienced prior bouts with kidney disease and strokes.

Joe Jones – Short of breath
The ADT Customer Monitoring Center received a medical alarm transmission from the home of Joe Jones. Within six seconds, an ADT outbound associate took operator action on the signal, made careful note of account special instructions, and then promptly notified the proper authorities of the situation. The associate followed up with a call to Mr. Jones' residence where he spoke directly to the very concerned customer.

ADT Associate: Is everything okay?
Mr. Jones: No. I'm very short of breath! I don't know if I'm going to be alive or dead!
After informing Mr. Jones that help was on the way, the associate then offered to stay on the line with the gentleman until the paramedics arrived. In a dual effort to both calm the customer and solicit additional information pertinent to the event at hand, ADT's associate discovered Jones' desire to be taken to a hospital and his immediate need for oxygen. Following proper procedure, the ADT call center representative then made a follow-up call to the city fire department to provide this critical additional information.

Protect Your Family Now, Call 1-866-398-7170 and use Promo Code 40784

You will receive a $100 Visa Gift Card from Security Choice with purchase of ADT-Monitored Home Security System. Requirements: $99.00 customer installation charge and 36-month monitoring agreement required ask about additional details from agent.

More Security Tips:

Personal Home Security Precautions:

Always stay alert and be aware of personal security. Be self-assured; keep your head up when walking and make eye contact with people approaching you. Don’t look like an easy target.
Listen to and act on your intuition. It's better to be safe and risk a little embarrassment, than stay in an uncomfortable situation that may compromise your security.
Have your keys ready when approaching your car or building. Put a security whistle on your key ring and don’t be afraid to use it if you are accosted or threatened.
If you are in danger or being attacked and want to get help, yell "Call 911!" or give specific directions to onlookers; for example: "You! Get the police!" or "Walk me to the store on the corner, I'm being followed."
Try to not overload yourself with packages. If you must have your hands full, visualize how you would respond if approached, how you would get your hands free, etc. Ask if the store can help you to your vehicle.
If you suspect that someone is following you, by foot or in a car, don't go home. Go to a trusted neighbor or to a public place to call police, or directly to police station.
Be very careful using outside ATMs at night or in unfamiliar surroundings. Check out the surroundings before you leave your vehicle. If you’re uncomfortable, drive away.
If you wear a purse with a shoulder strap, keep it tucked under your arm when walking. Be prepared to let it go if snatched, otherwise you may be hurt if the mugger knocks you down and drags you while fleeing with your purse.
If someone approaches you in a parking lot or isolated area… Stay alert, keep walking and prepare to run if necessary, look for others who can help.
Vary your routine: drive or walk different routes every day.
If you are mugged, don’t fight to protect property or money.

Security In Your Home:

Have lights in all entrances.
Have good locks (deadbolt) on all doors and windows. Although locks are very easy to defeat, these will at least cause the burglar to think twice. That is what you want him to do; think twice.
Use timers to turn lights and radios on when you are not home (noise is a great security enhancement). Stop mail and newspaper delivery when you are out of town.
Do not use your first name on your mailbox or in the phone directory – use your first initial. Don’t use a message on your answering machine that says you’re away from home or on vacation, etc.
Know which of your neighbors you can trust in an emergency.
Check who is at the door before opening it, and do not open the door to an unexpected visitor. Do not let strangers into your home to use the phone. Offer to make the call for them.
Don't hide extra keys in easily accessible places. Criminals will find them.
Never give personal information to telephone solicitors.

Fire Alarms, Prevention and Safety:

Fire. It is one of the greatest threats to your family and home. Not only do you need to be quickly alerted — you need to quickly respond to residential fire alarms as well. Fire has the potential to wipe out everything in its path in just minutes. It can smolder undetected for hours, then suddenly explode in fiery destruction. You need to take every possible precaution to minimize its risks. Listed below are some helpful tips to keep your family and home safe from fire.

Residential Fire Prevention Plan:

When buying, building or renovating your home, make sure all roofing materials are fire resistant.
Clean your gutters regularly. Dry leaves and evergreen needles in rain gutters can easily catch fire.
Trim back any tree limbs that are within 10 feet of your chimney and dead limbs overhanging your home to prevent them from catching fire.
To prevent sparks or embers from wildfires from entering and igniting your home and triggering a residential fire alarm, place screens with openings of ½" or smaller over all attic and foundation vents.
To prevent sparks from escaping and igniting vegetation near your house, cap your chimney with a ½" mesh spark arrested.
Store firewood and other combustibles away from your home, and keep the lid on your trash can.
To make sure firefighters can find your house if a residential fire alarm is triggered. Post your address prominently.
Maintain your landscape to eliminate dead vegetation that could catch fire and use fire-resistant plants.

Burglary Alarm Systems: Protection and Prevention:

Whether you live in a rural or urban setting, every home in every neighborhood is a target for burglary. Most homes contain valuables that are very attractive to burglars: televisions, stereos, cash and computers. Justice Department statistics say that an average family has a one-in-four chance of being the victim of a serious crime each year. Even worse, burglary is often compounded by violence. Here at ADT we have over 100 years of experience protecting families like yours with burglar alarm systems. Listed below are some sound tips to help you protect your family and home.

If exterior doors are hollow-core, replace them with solid wood, fiberglass or steel.
Make sure exterior door hinges are on the inside rather than the outside - where an intruder can remove the pins and pull the door out of the frame.
If you have double-hung windows, bolt the upper and lower sashes together or insert a metal bar in the track to prevent opening.
To secure sliding glass doors, add a bolt lock or use a "charley bar" to block the door closed.
Use bars to secure basement or garage doors and add bars to basement windows.
Most home burglaries occur between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., so get in the habit of locking all doors and windows whenever you go out.
Invest in high-quality, name-brand deadbolt locks for all exterior doors.
If you have a double-cylinder deadbolt that is operated by a key both inside and out, keep the key near the door so every family member can find it and exit quickly in case of fire.
Burglar alarm systems are an effective deterrent. Nine out of ten convicted burglars agree they'd avoid a house protected by a burglar alarm system.
Security system decals and signs are also an effective deterrent.
According to the FBI, more burglaries occur in July and August than in any other months.
Make sure your burglar alarm system includes a loud inside alarm, detectors at all exterior doors, and motion sensors in the master bedroom and main living areas.
Never leave an answering machine message indicating you're not at home. Instead, just say you "can't come to the phone."
Use timers to turn lights, televisions and sound systems on and off at different times to give your home a "lived-in look" when you are away. But remember what we said earlier about such devices.
Install motion-detecting outdoor floodlights around your home. Remember to mount them high enough to prevent intruders from disabling them.
If there's a Neighborhood Watch Program in your community, join it. If there's not, start one.
Report any suspicious persons or vehicles to your local police.
Get to know your neighbors.
If you have elderly or incapacitated friends or relatives, check to make sure their security devices are all in good working order.
Some burglars scan newspapers for wedding and funeral announcements and special community and holiday events that might take you out of your home, so be especially careful on these occasions.
Don't let mail, newspapers or flyers accumulate while you're away, tipping off criminals. Have the post office hold mail, have newspapers suspended, and have a neighbor or friend clear away flyers.
To a burglar, an empty trash can may mean you're away. Keep some trash on hand, and consider asking a neighbor to set out trash for pick-up at your house.
Don't leave valuables in sight through windows, where they will tempt burglars.
Use an etching pen to mark an ID number, like your driver's license number, on valuables.
Make an inventory of valuables in your household and store it somewhere other than your home, such as in a safe deposit box.
Leave curtains slightly parted so your house doesn't have an empty look.
Never open the door to a stranger. Install peepholes in all exterior doors so you can identify whoever is outside. Do not rely on a door safety chain, because these can be broken easily.
Ask for I.D. from service representatives who come to your home, and if they don't have it, check with their company to verify identity before letting them in.
If you're planning to go away, be careful whom you tell.
When vacationing, leave a car in your driveway or arrange for a neighbor to keep a car there and move it around from time to time.
Have someone mow your lawn, rake leaves and shovel snow while you are away.
Prune overgrown trees and shrubs to eliminate hiding places for intruders.
Many garage door openers respond to common codes, so follow the manufacturer's instructions to program yours with a unique code no burglar's opener will match.
Keep your garage door locked at all times, preferably with a deadbolt lock.
Thieves always look in mailboxes, under doormats and above doorways for keys. Don't make it easy for them to get into your home.
Don't put your name or address on your key ring, because it might lead a thief right to your door with key in hand.
When having a car parked or serviced, leave only the car keys.
If there's any chance a previous resident may still have keys to your house, re-key the locks.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors & Safety

Unlike fire and burglary, carbon monoxide can be an invisible, almost undetectable threat to your family and home. If you live in a home with gas logs, hot tub, or other gas-enabled appliances or have an attached garage — you need to be aware of this threat. Carbon monoxide is invisible and odorless and causes symptoms — fatigue, nausea, headache, dizziness — that may be confused with flu or other symptoms.

Every year, more than 200 Americans die from carbon monoxide poisoning and another 5,000 need hospital treatment. The very young and old, pregnant women, unborn babies, and people with heart and respiratory problems are especially vulnerable.
Listed below are some helpful tips to safeguard your family and home from this harmful gas.
Any fuel-burning appliance can emit carbon monoxide gas, so be sure such appliances are vented directly to the outside and keep fresh air circulating in your home.
Have your heating system checked for carbon monoxide emissions before the heating season begins and consider installing a carbon monoxide detector.
Check your kitchen range, fireplaces and water heater for carbon monoxide emissions periodically.
If you have a wood-burning fireplace, have the chimney cleaned and inspected every year, crack a window or door slightly to allow proper airflow, and keep the damper open until the fire is completely out.
Never run your car engine for more than a few moments in a garage or other enclosed area, even if the door is open. This gas has a cumulative effect. If you are exposed two minutes per day in your garage for three days, you will have been exposed to six minutes of carbon monoxide. Your body takes a long time to rid yourself of this gas.

Child Home Safety:

Nothing is more precious than the safety of your children. At ADT, we are committed to providing you with everything you need to keep your children safe from the dangers of theft, fire, carbon monoxide and a host of other threats. Listed below are some helpful tips that will help you maximize their safety and security. If your children are old enough and responsible enough to be home alone without adult supervision, be sure they know these safety essentials:

The fire escape route
Where emergency phone numbers and rules are posted
Basic first-aid skills
Safe route home from school
Make sure your children know who is allowed in the home while you are away, and how to check an individual's identity before opening the door.
If children are allowed to prepare and eat food while you are away, teach them how to do it safely.
When your children play outside, be sure they know exactly what their physical boundaries are and how to react to strangers.

Pet Safety During a Disaster:

If your family owns pets, be prepared to care for them if disaster strikes. Should the day come when a hurricane or other threat forces you to evacuate your home, plan to evacuate your pets, too.

Red Cross and other shelters are not allowed to accept pets, so check in advance for hotels or motels that accept pets, or make arrangements with friends, relatives, vets, boarding facilities or animal shelters.
Assemble a pet disaster kit in an easy-to-carry bag, including medications, medical records and first aid kit, leashes or carriers to keep pets under control, current photos (in case they get lost), food, drinking water, bowls, cat litter and pan, can opener, a favorite toy or two, and care information, plus your vet's phone number in case you board your pets somewhere.
At first sign of trouble, get your pets inside so you can pack them up quickly, confirm pet care arrangements, check to make sure animal ID is secure and up-to-date, and check your disaster kit.
If you must evacuate, your pets may panic and behave oddly, so keep them secure at all times and handle them carefully.
For birds and reptiles, you'll want a secure travel cage, a blanket wrap for warmth or a mister for cooling, and sliced fresh fruit or vegetables with high water content.

Poison-Proofing Your Home:

A normal household contains many poisonous substances, from cleaning products to medications to painting supplies. To protect children — and even pets—in your home, follow these precautions:

Select medicines that have childproof caps.
Keep medications and household products locked away out of reach of children.
Install protective devices that keep children from opening cabinet doors and drawers.
Keep dangerous products in their original, labeled containers.
Add poison symbol stickers to dangerous items and explain to children what they mean.
Don't give a child medicine in the dark.
Never tell a child that medicine tastes like candy.
Dispose of outdated medicines as recommended.
Work with fume-generating products only in well-ventilated areas.
Set a good example for children by wearing protective clothing like gloves or a mask when using poisonous or hazardous substances.

Avoid Teen Dating Violence:

Whether your teen has known her boyfriend or date for seven years or seven days, she should be conscious of the person's behavior at all times and not put her safety at risk. Pass along these warning signs to your children so that they can respond proactively to a threatening situation rather than reactively.

Acts jealous and possessive.
Won't let you have friends.
Checks up on you.
Refuses to accept breaking up.
Bosses you around.
Insists on making all decisions.
Belittles you and your opinions.
Frightens or threatens you.
Owns, uses or talks a lot about weapons.
Acts violent, getting into fights or angering quickly.
Pushes, grabs, pinches or hits you.
Pressures you for sex or gets serious about your relationship too fast.
Uses alcohol or other drugs and pressures you to do the same.
Has been involved in a number of failed relationships.
What can your child do to protect herself in a threatening situation?
Here's some advice you can provide her:
Talk to someone you trust and/or can help, like a parent, friend, counselor or clergyman.
Tell a school counselor or security officer what's going on.
Make daily notes about the disturbing behavior.
Avoid being alone with your date at home, school, work or anywhere else.
When you go out, tell someone where you are going, who they are with and when you'll be back.
Plan and rehearse what you will do if your dating partner gets abusive.
If a friend of yours is a victim of dating violence, here are some ways you can help:
If you see signs of abuse, talk to your friend about it.
Tell your friend that you're worried and want to help.
An abusive partner often undermines the victim's self-confidence, so point out your friend's good qualities.
Encourage your friend to talk to a trusted adult, offering to go along.
If the situation's getting worse, talk to an adult yourself, and if you witness an assault, contact the police, school principal or other adult immediately.
Don't endanger yourself by confronting the abusive partner.
Want to take an active role helping others deal with dating violence?
Here are some things you can do:
Start a peer education program for teenagers in your area.
Ask your school librarian to purchase self-help books about dating violence and domestic violence.
Use school bulletin boards and newspapers to raise awareness about the problem and how to deal with it.
Put on a play about teen dating violence.

Neighborhood Watch:

Neighborhood Watch programs go by many names: Community Watch, Crime Watch, Building Watch. But whatever you call it, when neighbors organize to help the police watch over their community, it can make a significant impact on reducing crime and fear in your area.

First Steps:

An individual, community organization, or law enforcement agency can initiate a Neighborhood Watch program through a few simple steps:
Hold a meeting to talk about crime problems and see if there is enough interest to organize a Watch.
Arrange for local law enforcement professionals to train neighbors in home security, crime patterns, what to watch for and how to report it.
Select an overall coordinator and block captains to organize volunteers and establish effective communications.
Sign up volunteers, including homeowners and renters, business owners, the elderly, working parents, young people ... anybody who can help.
Effective Neighborhood Watch Program Materials and Essentials

A typical Neighborhood Watch program requires:

Regular meetings to keep your organization organized.
Volunteers patrolling the neighborhood, on foot or in cars, to spot and report any problems.
Regular communications, such as fliers, newsletters, or paper or electronic bulletin board messages.
Special events to keep members interested and active, including helpful seminars, block parties, neighborhood clean-ups and tournaments. Special safety programs to meet your community's unique needs, like a block parent program to help children during emergencies.

What A Neighborhood Watch Does:

The typical Watch program involves four ways to make your neighborhood safer:
Offers a service to mark valuable items with an identifying number to discourage theft and help the police track down stolen articles.
Utilizes proven techniques to make homes safer.
Organizes residents in watching over each other and the neighborhood, noting and reporting anything unusual or suspicious to the local authorities, including:

Screams or calls for help
Someone looking into cars or homes
A stranger removing items from unoccupied homes or closed businesses
Vehicles cruising slowly or without lights
Anyone being forced into a vehicle
A stranger stopping to talk to a child
Calling 911 or other local emergency number to:
Quickly explain what happened
Give your name and address
Describe the suspect's gender and race, age, height, weight, hair color, clothes, and distinguishing features like facial hair, scars, accent
If a vehicle is involved, report the color, make, model, year, license plate and distinguishing features, like bumper stickers or dents

Business Travel Safety:

Travelers are prime targets for criminals. Here are some ways to protect yourself at airports, on the road and in your hotel room.

Airport Safety and Safe Air Travel:

Keep your eye on your bags—especially a laptop computer or other valuable gear — at all times. Don't let anyone but uniformed airline personnel handle or watch them.
Be wary of mishaps, like someone bumping you or spilling a drink ... they may be staged to set you up for a robbery.
Clutch your pocketbook close to your body or carry your wallet in an inside front pocket ... or wear a concealed money pouch.
Record the contents of checked luggage and carry valuables onto the plane with you.
Don't draw attention to jewelry, cameras or other expensive items.

Road Safety:

Study your route on a map before you start.
If using a rental car, make sure it is in good operating condition and learn how to operate all controls before starting out.
Keep maps and rental agreements concealed, and store luggage out of sight in the trunk.
Keep car doors locked and park in lighted areas near entrances.
Have keys ready so you can enter the car quickly ... after checking the back seat and floors.
If bumped by another car, rather than getting out you might want to signal the other driver to follow you to a police station or other place where you would feel safe.

Hotel Safety:

Don't leave your luggage unattended.
Make sure your room has a peephole and deadbolt lock on the door and window locks ... and use them.
Caution hotel personnel against saying your room number within earshot of others.
In case of emergency, know where exits, elevators and public phones are located.
Leave valuables at home or keep them in the hotel safe.
If going out, ask hotel staff about neighborhood safety and areas to avoid.
If someone claiming to be a hotel employee shows up at your door unexpectedly, don't let them in without first calling the front desk for confirmation.
Don't display your room key or leave it where it may get stolen.
Buy an inexpensive tape/stick-on alarm at Radio Shack and use this when you are sleeping inside of the hotel especially if you are on the first floor. In fact, purchase both the window and door version for first floor use. Understand that a burglar will know the outside of the hotel better than you. He will know how to climb to the second floor to prey on people that think that they are safe because of the elevation.

Protecting Children Online:

The Internet is a vast new world of information, entertainment and learning opportunities, but "cyberspace" also holds many dangers for children. Fortunately, there are things you can do to protect your child.

How to Introduce Your Child to the Internet:

Explain to your child that even though he or she may be alone when using the Internet, other people can connect to your computer to find out who and where you are and that precautions must be taken.
Explore the Internet together, letting your child take the lead.
Talk to your child about things that concern you about the Internet ... like exploitation, pornography, hate literature and the like ... so they'll know what to do if they encounter it.

How To Control Access:

Choose an online service that enables you to block access to any site not marked as appropriate for children ... chat rooms, bulletin boards, news and discussion groups ... or to the Internet altogether.
Buy software that lets you design your own set of protective barriers to block sites and prevent your child from giving out information online.
Look over your child's shoulder from time to time, not only checking what is on screen but also watching for uneasiness or other signs that something forbidden may be going on.

Teach Your Child to:

Let you know right away if he or she sees anything disturbing online.
Never give out any personal information.
Never agree to meet someone face-to-face after encountering them online.
Never respond to messages that contain obscene or weird language.
Avoid sites that charge for services.
Never send personal or family photos to anyone online without getting permission from you.
You need to have everyone use free e-mail accounts such as Hotmail and Yahoo. Do you know that with your e-mail address, someone can find your name, home, and even pull your credit report? We are talking about complete strangers being able to do this without your knowledge.

Other Ways to Promote Cyber-Safety:

Make sure Internet access at school is controlled and monitored by adults.
If your child has a friend with Internet access, find out from that child's parents if adequate controls are in place and if children are monitored when online.
Make sure your child's school has an Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) that defines acceptable and unacceptable online activities and resources, spells out the consequences for violations, and has a place for you and your child to sign.
If your child receives offensive or threatening e-mail, save the material as evidence and contact your local law enforcement agency immediately.
If you encounter a site that's inappropriate for children, send its address to online services and sites that provide blocking software so they can review it.

Protect Your Family Now, Call 1-866-398-7170 and use Promo Code 40784

Safety Tips for Seniors:

Statistics show that the older you get, the less likely you are to be a victim of crime. But it still makes sense to take precautions, especially against fraud and con games, which are the greatest crime threats for seniors.

Senior Safety Begins at Home:

Install and use good locks on doors and windows. Windows should all have alarm system decals or fake alarm breakage sensors. Even if the batteries are done, the crook does not know that; keep them guessing.
Don't hide keys under the doormat, in the mailbox or in a planter. Leave an extra set with a neighbor.
When service or delivery people come to your door, ask for ID, and check with their company if you're still not sure.
Make sure the street number on your house is large, well-lighted and unobstructed so emergency personnel can find your home quickly.
If you decide to install an alarm system, consider one that is monitored for burglary, fire and medical emergencies.

Stay Safe When You Go Out:

Go out with family or friends rather than by yourself.
Hold your purse close or keep your wallet in an inside front pocket.
Don't carry large amounts of cash or unneeded credit cards.
Use a direct deposit service for Social Security and other regular checks.
Keep car doors locked, be watchful in parking lots and garages, and try to park in well-lighted spots near entrances.
Sit near the driver or the exit when riding on a bus, train or subway.
If a person or situation makes you nervous, get away.

Don't Fall for Con Artists' Tricks:

If it sounds too good to be true — free vacation, miracle cure, sure-fire investment — avoid it.
It is illegal for telemarketers to ask for credit card, Social Security, phone card or bank account numbers to verify prizes, so if anyone asks, don't give it to them.
If someone tries to rush you into signing an insurance policy, sales contract or anything else, be suspicious. Read it carefully and have a trusted friend check it, too.
Some con artists pose as representatives of companies or government agencies that, for a fee, recover money lost to fraudulent telemarketers. Don't fall for this trick.
When in doubt, check it out by calling the police, the Better Business Bureau, the local consumer protection office, or the National Consumers League Fraud Information Center at 800-876-7060.

Things You Can Do in Your Community:

Report any crimes or suspicious activities to police.
Join a Neighborhood Watch program to help protect your community.
Get involved in activities that can make your community a better place, like mentoring children, serving as a volunteer aide for the police or fire department, or escorting disabled persons.
Check for a Triad program in your community. It partners seniors with law enforcement agencies to prevent crime against the elderly and to give support to law enforcement personnel. It is sponsored by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the National Sheriffs Association (NSA). Get details from your AARP chapter, local police or by calling NSA at 703-836-7827.

Safety Tips for Young Children:

Parents always worry about the safety of their children, but you'll have greater peace of mind if you follow these suggestions.

Make sure your children memorize their full names, address including city and state, and phone number with area code.
Using a play phone, teach children when and how to dial 911 or 0 and also show them how to operate a pay phone.
Explain to your children that they should never accept gifts or rides from people they don't know well.
Teach your children to go to a store clerk, security officer or police officer if they ever get lost in a store or mall or on the street.
Set a good example by locking doors and windows and checking to see who it is before opening a door.
Listen to what your children say about their fears and help them understand them and trust their instincts.
Staying Safe When Home Alone: Safety in the Home for Young Children
Always leave a phone number where you can be reached along with numbers for neighbors and emergency services right by the phone.
Have your children check in with you when they arrive home.
Set rules for having friends over when you're not there and for your children going to friends' homes when no adults are present.
Let your children practice operating door and window locks.
Explain how important it is not to let anyone into the house without your permission.
Teach them to not reveal on the phone or at the door that no adults are home, but to instead say their parents are too busy to come to the phone or door.
Rehearse the home fire escape plan with your children.
Safety at School and at Play
Here are some tips that will help keep children and teens safe when they are away from home.
Encourage them to stick with their friends rather than walking or playing alone.
Teach them how to spot dangerous places, like vacant buildings, alleys, deteriorated playgrounds and parks.
Explain how taunting, teasing and arguing damage friendships and to settle disagreements through talking not fighting.
Walk routes to school, stores and friends' houses so you can make sure they are safe and point out where they can get help in an emergency.
Teach your children and teens to be conscious of criminal or suspicious behavior in your neighborhood and to tell an adult when they see such activities.
Make sure your school has a policy of calling the parents when a child is absent from school.
If you use daycare or after-school programs, check their credentials carefully, including certifications, staff qualifications, policies regarding field trips and parental visits, and reputation in the community.
Advice for Young People About Drugs and Alcohol
Chances are your teenager knows people who use and abuse drugs or alcohol, though they may not have seen it firsthand. Talk to your children about how their friends or acquaintances may show signs of drug use.

Talking about drugs and drug culture:

Owning drug paraphernalia, like pipes, syringes and rolling papers.
Having large amounts of cash or always having very little cash.
A sudden increase or decrease in weight.
Slurred or incoherent speech.
Withdrawal from other people, as well as lying, depression and paranoia.
Dropping out of school activities.
Avoiding the Drug Scene
Help your children avoid being drawn into drugs by being smart young adults.
Don't go to parties where alcohol or other drugs are likely to be available.
Hang out with friends who don't need drugs or alcohol to have fun.
Get involved in drug-free activities and encourage friends to do the same.
Remember that the penalties for possession of illegal drugs can be severe, including prison and loss of student loans.
The use of intravenous drugs pose a high risk of AIDS infection.

Back To School Safety:

Nationwide, injury to pedestrians is the second-leading cause of unintentional injury and related death among children age 5 to 14 years old. Studies also show that there may be a great risk for children who ride their bicycles to school. Last year, 22 percent of bicyclists killed were between 10 and 14 years of age. These statistics can be frightening, but if parents educate children about safety on the way to school, these risks can be significantly reduced.

Walking to School:

Spend time walking with your children and observe how they deal with traffic.
Choose the route to school or the bus stop that is the safest for your child. Take the same route every day and avoid short cuts.
Remind your children to demonstrate proper pedestrian behavior. It is extremely important for them to look left-right-left, and always walk facing traffic if no sidewalk is available.
Pick the place where your child will cross the street. Never enter the street from between parked cars or from behind brushes or shrubs. Cross streets at corners. Use traffic signals and crosswalks whenever possible.
Provide your children with bright clothing so motorists can easily see them.
Riding on a Bus to School
If possible, an adult should be close to the bus stop at all times, and children should be remember the rules of the road:
Stay out of the street and avoid horseplay while waiting for the bus.
Watch for crossarms and wait for the bus to come to a complete stop before approaching.
Walk immediately onto the sidewalk and out of traffic after getting off the bus.
Finally, never cross the street behind a school bus.

Riding a Bicycle to School:

The No. 1 rule: Always wear a bike helmet. Head injury is the leading cause of death in bicycle crashes. Bicycle helmets can reduce the risk of head injury by as much as 85 percent.
Ride with traffic.
Wear bright clothes or reflective safety gear.

Riding in a Passenger Vehicle to School:

If your child is less than 5 years old and less than 40 pounds, make sure the child is properly buckled up in a weight-appropriate child safety seat in the back seat. For children age 5 and older, make sure they are buckled in all seating positions at all times.
In addition, safety experts say that all children under the age of 12 should ride in the back seat, and that children weighing from 40 to 80 pounds (usually 4 to 8 years of age) should ride in a booster seat.

False Alarm Reduction:

False alarms not only negatively impact on your home and personal life, but they also affect your security provider and the community. False alarm fees can cost you hundreds, if not thousands of dollars. It can also create dissatisfaction with your system, as well as the security provider. Additionally, police resources across the country are limited, and should never be wasted. Thousands of police and fire patrol hours are spent investigating alarm reports that turn out to be false.

You can take several steps to reduce false alarms. The first is to identify their causes. For homeowners, some of the common causes are:

Using incorrect keypad codes
Failing to train authorized users
Failure to secure doors and windows once the alarm is turned on
Wandering pets
Re-entering the home just after leaving without disarming (assuming the exit delay is long enough to compensate)
Objects hanging by or around motion detectors
Weak system batteries
Faulty equipment
Acts of nature (strong winds, electrical storms, etc.)
False alarms due to faulty equipment or acts of nature are rare. The single largest cause of false alarms are human error.
Once the causes are identified, some basic steps should help reduce false alarms:
Properly train all users (e.g., babysitters, relatives, children, visitors, etc.)
Secure doors and windows before turning on alarm
Inform the monitoring center of new pass codes and arming codes, and new or removed authorized users
Service and maintain the system (including batteries) properly
If there is a question as to whether or not the system is working properly, immediately contact the security provider to check the status of the system and devices.

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