Advance Protection Services

FIRE PREVENTION
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 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.

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 and embers from wildfires from entering and igniting your home, place screens with openings of x inch 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, post your address prominently.
Maintain your landscape to eliminate dead vegetation that could catch fire and use fire-resistant plants.

BURGLAR PROTECTION
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 from burglary. 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.
Alarm systems are an effective deterrent. Nine out of ten convicted burglars agree they'd avoid a house protected by an 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 security 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.
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 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.
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.

CHILD 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.

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.

Safety Begins at Home

Install and use good locks on doors and windows.
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 YOUR 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

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.

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.