Crime Prevention Month: Protect your home and family

AlertID offers free mobile app

Every year in the U.S., there are more than 2 million home burglaries reported (one every 14.6 seconds, according to the FBI and Justice Department). AlertID, a proud partner of the National Crime Prevention Council (home to McGruff the Crime Dog), offers an app and tips to help protect families and their homes in support of Crime Prevention Month (October).

More than 1 million members strong, AlertID, a national family neighborhood safety network and mobile app, has proven to help reduce crime, protect families and unite more than 140,000 neighborhoods across the country.

With AlertID, one can view an interactive map displaying crimes and sex offenders in one's neighborhood. The app allows one to receive alerts and information via mobile device, online and email for as many addresses as one likes (home, work, child's school, etc.), even one's current location.

Users have the ability to receive law enforcement emergency alerts; crime and sex offender alerts (when an offender moves into an area); prevention tips; and severe weather, fire and earthquake alerts. The app also includes a virtual neighborhood watch where one can share photos and information about suspicious activity and other information with neighbors, police and even Homeland Security.

AlertID has sent 184 million public safety alerts.

"Our goal is to help protect families and neighborhoods across the country," said Keli Wilson, AlertID founder. "The more we are aware of the dangers in our neighborhoods, and the more we share information with neighbors, the better we can protect ourselves, our children, and our families."

For tips on how to protect a home from burglary, visit: https://www.alertid.com/search/burglary.asp.

For a home security checklist, visit: https://www.alertid.com/search/home-security-checklist.asp.