A good security system is the best way to deter unwanted visitors. Nevertheless, security and life safety systems should never take the place of good sense. Below, we have provided a list of security tips to further ensure your families safety, and your peace of mind.

1. Every security system should be fire detection equipped. Smoke sensors will dispatch the fire department when activated.
2. Make sure your phone line and protector are secured. Residential phone lines being cut by an intruder is not a common occurance, but it can happen. Phone protectors can be moved, and the security system can have a concurrent communication device called an uplink.
3. Make sure that your system includes sensors on all exterior doors. Break-ins are far more likely to be through a door than a window.
4. Using a monitored system ensures that the proper authorities are notified in the event of a fire or break-in.
5. Make sure that a fire extinguisher is located on every level of your home. Fires can be prevented by having the proper equipment available.
6. When choosing a security company, ask friends, family, and co-workers for the company they are with. Ask security companies for references, if they are licensed and insured, and check with the Better Business Bureau. Finally get proposals from multiple companies, find out if the proposal is for a purchase or a lease, terms of the warranty, pricing of the monitoring for the entire term of the agreement and if other companies can service the equipment proposed.
7. Families should have an escape plan in the case of fire. Family members should plan multiple escape routes and have a rally point after exiting the house. Practicing your plan will further ensure the families safety.
8. Pick up mail and newspapers out of front yard regularly. Have a neighbor do it when you are gone.
9. See to it that mowing gets done when you are away (the front yard, at least). This also applies to snow removal from the driveway during the winter.
10. Put timers on your lights when you are away. Set the timers on each light to go off and on at different times. It would look strange if they all turned on and off at the same time.
11. Add a motion detector to your lights outside.
12. Check all windows to make certain they are locked. This should be done on a regular basis, possibly when you change your clocks for daylight savings time.
13. Make ground-level windows difficult to get to (i.e. thorny plants, rocks garden, etc.).
14. Have neighbors park in your driveway while you are away.
15. Join or create a neighborhood watch association. Get to know each other and what activities or vehicles are normal. Make note of any irregularities.
16. DON'T keep front door key under welcome mat or in a mailbox. If an emergency key is needed, put it in a sandwich bag under a rock, or buried at least 25 feet away from the front door.
17. Keep valuables in inconspicuous room, like a laundry room--NOT in a master bedroom.
18. Obtain some kind of non-lethal weapon, such as a tear gas spray of the CS gas type, usually available as a key-ring accessory for the purpose of carrying the weapon any time you would normally have your keys in your hand.
19. When approaching your car, check underneath and in the back to insure that nobody is lurking there to surprise you.
20. Your chance of a break-in drops 600% if you have an alarm system.

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