While some people prefer a very in-your-face style of home security presence, there are others who lean more towards a subtle, multi-purpose approach to ensuring their home's safety.
One way to accomplish a more low-key, yet attractive level of security is to install landscape lighting around your home.
Landscape lighting can come in many forms -- such as the lamp post you see above, as miniature can lights embedded into shrubberies and flower beds, or even as solar or LED pathway lights.
Summer is a prime time for traveling. And while you're packing and preparing, we suggest taking some time to make sure your home is protected while you're away. Even if you don't have an at-home security system, there are several steps you can take to boost your home's protection--and help maintain your peace of mind while you enjoy your trip.
First? Enlist the help of a trusted friend or neighbor. Even if you don't hire a full-time housesitter, have someone periodically drive by to check the condition of your home. Along this same line of thinking, you might want to notify your area's neighborhood watch association (if applicable) that you'll be gone.
In the age of social media and constant communication, it may be tempting to broadcast your whereabouts to your online connections. Yet security professionals recommend that you don't post your travel plans on sites like Twitter and Facebook. Facebook offers a slew of security settings that may help keep your posts more private, yet Twitter can easily be accessed by anyone on the Internet. Practice caution and use discretion when posting.
When it comes to protecting your home and your family, the exterior is just as important as any interior security features you may have. The best thing about most of these suggestions is that they're relatively budget-friendly, too, and therefore easier to incorporate.
Of course, one of the number-one exterior security features is lighting. ADT Security says you can choose from three types of lighting, depending on your specific situation.
1. All-night lighting: A light-sensitive photocell allows the light to turn on at dusk and off at dawn. That way, your property is illuminated all night. The downside? Because the light is on for such a long period of time, you'll likely see a noticeable spike in your electric bill. If this is an attractive lighting option for you, consider using a solar light instead.
2. Motion-activated lighting: The lights are activated on an as-needed basis, and, as ADT Security says, "it can be quite frightening for a trespasser when lights suddenly turn on, which is why this type of light is so effective and popular."
3. Hi/Low combination lighting: Low-intensity light shines throughout the night. When someone walks by the lights, a motion-activated sensor makes the lights get brighter. This is also a more cost-effective way of providing complete illumination all night without a huge electric bill.
Being able to remotely control your home's security system is one of the perks of continually evolving technology. But if you need something more comprehensive, consider ADT Pulse, a whole-home automation system that's customizable to your needs.
ADT Pulse goes beyond security, allowing you to access home automation, climate and light control and remote video monitoring. ADT calls it "lifestyle management," and it's an apt description. You can adjust lights and thermostats to help keep your home energy efficient. Remote video monitoring allows you to see who's at the door without actually going to the door. And, of course, you can arm and disarm your home's security system, even if you're not there.
