If you are like most Americans, most of what you know about burglaries is shaped by the media, rather than facts. Television programs, movies, and even video games do much to shape what we think is true—and those assumptions can put us in danger.

Here are six facts that dispel common misconceptions about burglary and home protection.

You’ve heard it said that too much “screen time” is a bad thing for some people – mostly for kids. But if you’re a responsible adult, you can use your smartphone as a powerful tool to make your life both simpler and safer. We call this system home control, because it can be accessed easily with your smartphone to give you total home control – not just over your security, but other aspects of the household as well. Here are some examples.

March is Poison Prevention Month, and that means it’s time to talk about carbon monoxide, otherwise known as CO – a dangerous poison that is odorless and colorless, keeping families in completely in the dark about its presence until it’s too late. Carbon monoxide poisoning starts as flu-like symptoms, but it can quickly become deadly if those it affects continue breathing in its fumes.

While you are assessing your home for a fresh coat of paint or even a possible remodel this spring, how much thought have you put into your home’s security system? Over the past five years, the home security industry has seen some remarkable technological advances. From home management systems to energy savings and even video surveillance, is your existing system up-to-date?