ADT Manager gives tips to secure homes more safely

Since the beginning of the year, searches for home security have increased by over 18% according to Google trends.

Home security

Michele Bennett, General Manager at ADT UK&I Subscriber says, “While it is easy to let things slip your mind from time to time, the consequences of being forgetful when it comes to home security and safety can be devastating.”

Michele Bennett adds, “With the average burglary costing £2856, mistakes like forgetting to set the burglar alarm or shut windows are very expensive mistakes to make. Forgetting to turn off hair straighteners, leaving candles on, and electrical sparks can also have devastating impacts, as they make up nearly 30% of accidental fire causes.” 

6 ways to keep homes safe

The security and fire safety experts at ADT have put together a list of ways to keep the home safe, even when users are forgetful: 

1. Invest in smart plugs

ADT users can link lamps plugged into smart plugs with movement-sensing cameras when movement is detected

Smart plugs can be used to turn appliances plugged into them on or off, meaning that even when users are not home they can remotely have some control over electrical appliances within the home from a smartphone device.

They can be set to turn lamps on or off remotely, or with ADT users can link lamps plugged into smart plugs with movement-sensing cameras and video doorbells to switch on smart plugs when movement is detected to give the impression someone’s always at home, even if they’re not. 

• Automatic turn-off feature

They can also be used to help the anxiety-ridden question of “Have I turned my hair straighteners off?” as smart plugs can be turned off even when users have left the house.

It can be done either manually, or by setting a geo-fence around the property so that when they leave it, designated smart plugs are turned off automatically. 

2. Use battery-operated candles 

Battery-operated, flameless candles give the effect of a wicked candle without any of the risks

Battery-operated, flameless candles give the effect of a wicked candle without any of the risks. As they are flameless and produce no heat they are entirely pet and child friendly. The candles also do not melt, meaning that they last longer and can be put anywhere in the house without the worry of black smoke or burnt patches on the ceiling. 

Users can get flameless candles that flicker and crackle, giving both the visual and audio effects of having a lit candle without any of the dangers associated with them.

3. Window restrictors and window bars 

Firstly, try not to open downstairs windows if users know they are going to leave the house or go to bed. This may attract burglars who see the opening as an opportunity. 

If the windows are in upstairs rooms, check that they’re not easily accessible from drain pipes or other roofs below. If they are, a good way to secure them while they’re open is to fit restrictor hooks so they’ll only open so far. If users have children, they also act as a great safety feature too.

• Benefits

Utility rooms, garages, and outbuildings that have windows could all benefit from having window bars fitted

Window bars might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but there’s no doubting their effectiveness. While they’re not the type of window security users would necessarily want in the living room, there may be places around the home where they’d be ideal. 

Utility rooms, garages, and outbuildings that have windows could all benefit from having window bars fitted. This means that even if windows are left open, burglars cannot get in. 

4. Go smart with security 

Security alarms can be set and unset from an app on the phone, no matter where users are.

This helps to reduce the issue of remembering to set alarm before leaving, as well as stopping welcomed visitors from setting off the alarm when entering the home. 

• ADT Smart Home App

With the ADT Smart Home App security footage is automatically recorded on the detection of motion and users can also go into the app to view live footage, allowing homeowners to check up on their house no matter where they are at any time of day.

If users are particularly forgetful about setting an alarm, the ADT Smart Home burglar alarm system can send arming reminders when they leave a home's geo-fenced zone.

5. Video oneself while locking the front door

ADT recommends that users record themself doing any tasks that they may question if they have done later in the day

For peace of mind, ADT recommends that users record themself doing any tasks that they may question if they have done later in the day, whether that be locking the door, turning the TV off, or shutting windows.

This will not only hold them accountable, but it will also help them get into a habit of locking the door.

6. Invest in products that have safety features 

Many products on the market have safety features that are designed with the things people forget to do in mind.

An example of this is certain models of cars that automatically lock if they are left unlocked and empty, such as the Jeep Wrangler and Hyundai Tucson. While it is not good practice to rely on these features, they offer peace of mind if users do remember that they have forgotten to do things.