A Comprehensive Guide to Protecting Yourself This Summer and Beyond

Coming out of June, which was National Safety Month _[1]– a period dedicated to saving lives, preventing injury and prioritizing mental health – and now that we’re officially more than halfway through 2020, we’d like to brush up on all things safety and security. And with more people enjoying the warm weather, it’s important to take stock of all the ways you can protect yourself, loved ones, your home and more.

ADT has been the leading provider in security solutions for decades – not only providing security, but also giving customers peace of mind, allowing them to relax and feel confident that their home, business and loved ones are protected. To help spotlight important security considerations to keep in mind in both your personal and work life, we’ve created the following punch list of areas to assess to ensure you and your family are safe.

Home Security _[2]

The smart home of the future is now a reality, you can create a fully integrated safe smart home experience. Whether it’s professionally installed security systems like our Command and Control system or our new DIY home security offering, Blue by ADT, we have customizable options to fit everyone’s needs. 

• Home Automation: Security systems don’t have to (and shouldn’t) work in a silo. ADT systems can connect with hundreds of smart home devices allowing users to custom-fit to their personal needs and lifestyle. Creating Scenes within the Control app can give you custom system adjustments with the click of a button. For example, you can set up a Scene that adjusts your thermostat, turns off lights, closes your garage and arms your security systems – allowing you to easily help protect your home when you step away, all from within your ADT mobile app.
• Fire and Life Safety: Fire, carbon monoxide, and water leaks happen, and they require immediate, professional assistance to help keep everyone safe. ADT fire and carbon monoxide detectors and flood sensors can alert homeowners and our professional monitoring centers in case of an emergency, but it’s important that the devices are in proper working order. Take the time every couple of months to check batteries in all of your smoke, carbon monoxide and flood detectors and do a quick test to make sure they’re working properly. It could be the difference in keeping you and your family safe!
  
  
• 24/7 Monitoring: Now might be a good time to assess your security monitoring support and get 24/7 monitoring if you haven’t already. While you can call 911 and emergency services yourself when needed, ADT can provide first responders with critical information to inform what type of emergency response is required. Having trained professionals there to calmly and quickly explain your exact situation to first responders is invaluable in times of emergency. This can not only add an extra layer of protection, but increase your peace of mind, while ADT keeps watch on your house and loved ones whether you’re at home or away.

Health _[3]

Aging in place _[4] often comes with a loss of independence – but that doesn't need to be the case. This summer, maybe peace of mind is the best gift you can give yourself and your loved ones.

• Medical Alert Systems: Ranging from a basic system to an upgraded solution, ADT’s Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERS) mean customers can maintain their independence in a safe and cost-effective manner (compared to home care or senior living facilities) and also give peace of mind to family, friends and caregivers. These systems include wearable help buttons and base units that allow two-way voice connectivity to ADT Health monitoring centers.
  
  
• On-The-Go Medical Alert System: This technology includes a portable unit with built-in GPS technology to track location in case of an emergency, allowing users to enjoy their lives without the fear of being isolated from help.

Mobile Personal Security _[5]

Personal safety is a high priority for everyone right now, whether you’re sheltering at home, working at an essential business, taking a drive or making a grocery run. No matter the situation, a security lifeline that’s mobile – just like you – is critical for moments when you might feel unsafe.

• SoSecure: ADT’s new mobile solution allows you to safely explore with the knowledge that if you feel unsafe, you can discreetly contact ADT and we’ll call 911 for you. As a plus-up, the app also includes activity tracking that alerts ADT and your set ‘Guardians’ if an activity takes longer than estimated and you haven’t checked in. All from an app you  can download from the app store!

Cyber Security _[6]

Your online presence means you’re inherently vulnerable to cyber threats – but there are some quick and easy ways to keep yourself and your personal information secure.

• Phishing Scams: Whether in the office or browsing the internet at home, phishing scams are one of the biggest threats to online security. Educating yourself on ways to differentiate real emails from scam ones is critical to protecting your data. For example, hover over a sender to confirm it’s coming from a legitimate email address and never click on links in suspicious emails or on suspect websites.
  
  
• Network and Device Vulnerabilities: Home wifi networks often have weak passwords – plus, you’re likely sharing your wifi password with plenty of family and friends. Weak passwords can leave networks vulnerable to hackers, and more devices means more possible points of entry (ex. through a laptop breached by a computer virus). Creating a complicated password is tantamount. It also might be a good idea to create a “guest” wifi network, separating outside devices from the network that houses your personal data and information. Lastly, while most people know to secure phones and laptops, not many of us are probably thinking about the security of our connected refrigerator, car or washing machine. Hacking into these might provide a path, through home networks, to sensitive information, so it’s important to ensure even the smallest IoT devices are connected to secure networks.
  
  
• Personal Cyber Safety: Cyber bullying and stalking might not be the first thing you think of when you think about “cybersecurity,” but they shouldn't be ignored. Cybercrimes have the potential to spill over into the real world, and very few cybercrimes are ever reported to law enforcement. Talk to children about the importance of protecting themselves online and ensure an open dialogue should they run into trouble and need someone to confide in. And should a crime take place, reporting it is always a good idea.

Sources:

[1] https://www.nsc.org/work-safety/get-involved/national-safety-month

[2] https://www.adt.com/home-security

[3] https://www.adt.com/health

[4] https://www.adt.com/resources/aging-in-place

[5] https://www.adt.com/sosecure

[6] https://www.adt.com/resources/cybersecurity-in-the-new-year

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