Anyone who has had a car or truck stolen knows the anxiety, helplessness and inconvenience that one goes through. If you are on vacation and have your vehicle stolen it can be even more damaging because you may not have other family and friends to help you get through the initial shock of it.
Not all vehicles that have been stolen come back in the same shape you last left it in. It can be trashed inside and out. After all, the people that have taken your vehicle have no respect whatsoever for your hard earned dollars that purchased the vehicle in the first place. And that is what a criminal is, someone who takes but does not give. There is no valid exchange that has occurred and they really don’t care.
So how do you protect yourself and loved ones? Here are a few tips to help keep you and your vehicle safe:
1) Never leave your car running while you run in to get something from a gas station or convenience store. A high percentage of theft occurs there. Thieves love this easy in easy out method.
2) Always lock your car. Almost half of all theft occurs in unlocked cars.
3) Never leave your keys in the ignition. It’s the same easy in and out method thieves love. Don’t give them that opportunity.
4) Don’t put that spare key hidden under your car. Thieves are well versed on that and will find them quick and easy.
5) Don’t leave your title or registration in your vehicle. Thieves can easily use this to dispose of your car.
6) If you live in a hot climate you may be tempted to leave the windows open a bit while parked. Don’t! You don’t want to give thieves any opportunity whatsoever to get in your vehicle.
7) Leaving valuables in sight attracts thieves.
8) Before getting out of your car, scan the area quickly to see if anything is out of the ordinary. Often thieves work in twos or threes. If you see any unusual loitering you may want to go somewhere else.
9) When you go inside somewhere do a quick scan for the same reason.
10) Make it a habit that wherever you go whether it is a restaurant, theater etc. that you do a quick scan of where the exits are. Knowing ahead of time where they are may help you in an emergency situation.
11) If you are in a restaurant make it a point that one of you (usually the man) sit facing the entrance so you can observe potential danger.
12) With your family devise an emergency plan. Drill it until you all know what your role is so that you can act instantly if danger does arise.
The bottom line is that criminals look for the quick and easy steal and individuals that are not prepared. They count on using that element of surprise to get to you or your car. You can avoid being a victim by using your common sense and having a plan. A little preparation ahead of time and learning to be aware of what’s around you at all times can significantly reduce you chances of being a victim.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Protect Your Family And Vehicle From Unscrupulous Thieves
Protect Your Cabin With "Off the Grid" Home Security
Labels: cabin building, cabin real estate, cabin security, Home security, investment property protection, securitySecuring your cabin can be a difficult task - especially if you're "off the grid" and don't have the easy luxury of electricity and an "alarm system". But, there are some common sense steps to follow and a couple tricks of the trade, that'll help secure your property in the off season.
If you're in the position of not having purchased your cabin or land yet, you might begin by considering the security conundrum right off the top. Location, location, location is imperative here, and if you can avoid purchasing a piece of property that is overly exposed to the public and main thorough fair traffic than you're definitely ahead of the game. Private access roads and secured gating are both pluses.
If you're building your cabin from scratch think about limiting expensive building materials. You might also go for the "shabby chic" cabin look over designing with lush curtains and fancy, expensive furniture- these tend to be indicators of more wealth inside. If you must have such luxury items at least store them away as best as possible when you're away - or take them home!
Think about security as you're building your cabin and build the home in a way that intruders won't be able to get in.
When you leave for the season, make sure you seal up everything. Try putting boards or barriers on your doors and windows. Go as "fortress" like as you see fit- esthetics won't matter so much when you're not at home! Intruders generally go for path of least resistance- so don't give them any opportunity to think yours will be an easy steal. If you're not intending to board up your windows, at the very least put up some dark blinds and close them before you go. You don't want your valuables to be visible.
You can also install heavy duty dead-bolts on all doors and use lock-bars on sliding doors.
Never leave alcohol in your cabin. Much of the trespassing population tend to be young kids looking for a "cheap" or for that matter a "free" good time. Some people even put up signs: "No Alcohol on the Premises", as a deterrent for the cheap thrill type of vandals.
Never leave firearms on the premises. If you have to, then make sure they are trigger locked and kept in a locked gun cabinet.
If you can, hire someone over the off season to keep your lawn mowed, plants and flowers watered, the driveways plowed and sidewalks shoveled - anything and everything to give the appearance of a constant presence.
Although you may not be capable of installing a full alarm system if your cabin is "off the grid", you can try trip-wire systems. With such systems you can trigger a sound device to go off, or rig it so objects fall with a crashing sound. Yes, it's sort of a seemingly archaic alarm system, but you have to work with what you got. And you'd be surprised at what'll work. Some systems will allow you to trip-wire to a battery operated alarm system or camera monitors that you can see from home!
If you're looking for protection and safety while you're at the cabin, a dog with a good strong bark is a good idea. Not only will they protect the fort, but you'll have their canine companionship to boot!
One last hint: remember that not all intruders are human. Thrill seeking teenagers are one problem, but rats, mice and bugs are a whole other ball game. The best way to avoid rodents is to ensure that there isn't a scrap of food in the house when you leave. Foods also have the potential to attract wintering insects as well, so take it all - sugar, flour and every measly scrap you find.
Be smart and thorough in securing your cabin for the off season and you'll have much less of a problem with intruders of all kinds!
Protect Your Business With Covert Hidden Cameras
Labels: Spies, Spy Gadgets, spy gear, surveillance productsDid you ever think that Exit signs could protect your premises? They can if they just happen to be the type that has some covert hidden cameras hidden in them. Who would ever think that an exit sign had a camera? They come wireless, too, so that you can place them anywhere that they are needed. Of course, if wireless won’t do, you can get the wired versions as well. Either way, keeping that door under surveillance without anyone else knowing it, becomes a simple matter.
Another nifty way to conceal covert hidden cameras is to use the ones that are placed inside an emergency light that actually works. These little beauties even automatically switch from color to black and white in low light situations, and their range is up to one thousand feet. So the power has gone out in your store, office or home, and some sneaky, unethical person decides to take advantage of the situation to steal something. With an emergency light covert hidden camera, they might as well smile and say cheese.
Okay, so you really aren’t interested in covert operations, but you are a single woman living alone or with another woman for a roommate. It is ten o’clock at night and some one knocks on your door. Would you just answer it without knowing who was there? Not if you are smart you won’t. There are covert hidden cameras that fit into a standard peep hole in your door. With an amazing 170 degree viewing angle, you no longer have to take a chance by opening the door to a perfect stranger, who might just be a thief, rapist or killer looking for easy prey. Having peep holes that are actually covert hidden cameras could give you the peace of mind that you have been looking for.
Preventing Fire Damage in the Kitchen
Labels: Preventing Fire Damage in the KitchenThe kitchen is one of the most dangerous rooms in your house as it contains many hazards and a high potential for unintentional fires.
Frying Pans and Deep Fry Pans
Using a thermostat controlled fryer is a great way to prevent deep fry pans fires. Avoid fat and grease build up on the stove or pans because fat and grease can easily catch fire.
Oven and Stove
The oven and range must be cleaned often to prevent grease and food from catching fire. Be careful when you cook and keep pot handles away from the edge of the stove. Don’t wear long sleeves that can hang over the stove and catch fire. Always look on the oven when it is on and don’t forget to turn it off when not in use. Place flammable fabrics, such as towels, away from the gas or electric range. Be careful with flammable liquids such as cleaning materials.
Appliances
The most important safety rule for appliances is to use only appliances that have been tested and approved by a testing facility. Avoid overloading electrical outlets and check for worn or broken wiring on a regular basis. If you find defects be sure to make necessary repairs immediately. It is also very important to keep appliance cords on the counter to prevent them from, accidentally, being pulled down.
Microwave Ovens
A very common mistake regarding microwave ovens is the wrong assumption that items, heated in the microwave oven, are not as hot as items heated in a regular oven or a mini oven. Keep in mind that even though the container does not heat, the content does. Be sure all the vents are cleared of obstructions and that the microwave oven has an adequate clearance for air circulation. Never place aluminum foil or other metals in a microwave oven.
Preparing Your Home For A Vacation
Labels: alarm systems, door locks, Home security, Safety, vacation planning, vacationsYou have probably spent a great deal of time planning your vacation. You have researched hotels, you found the best price on airfare, you arranged a rental car and you might have even planned out an itinerary. There is one important detail that you have probably forgotten. Have you planned for the security of your home while you are gone. Empty houses are a magnet for thieves. If you would like to make sure that everything is still in your home when you get back, there are some steps that should be taken.
Make Your Home Look Lived In
The most important thing that you can do to keep your home safe is to make it look like you never left. Don't leave obvious signs that you are on vacation. Have a friend or a neighbor come by and pick up newspapers, mail and door flyers. Also leave some lights on inside your home. Nothing says this house is empty than a house with no lights on. You can buy timers relatively cheaply these days. Buy a couple of timers and program lights , TVs' and radios to come on at usual times. Avoid leaving answering machine messages saying that you are on vacation. Also check your voice mail occasionally to keep your mail box from filling up. It wouldn't be hard for a burglar to do a reverse search on your address and get your phone number. Lastly, if you plan on being gone for a long period arrange for someone to cut your lawn.
Make Your Home Physically Secure
Make a thorough security sweep of your home. Check all windows, door locks and deadbolts. Do not assume that a criminal could not enter that third story window. If you keep spare keys outside of your home, do not leave them in obvious locations. Keys located under flower pots, under door mats or even in cheap artificial rocks are not secure. Also be sure that you call your alarm company if you have one. Tell them you will be on vacation and give them a contact number for a friend or neighbor.
Prepare To Be Robbed
No matter how many precautions you take, you could still be robbed. Prepare for the worst by making an inventory of all of your valuables. It will be a big help when you need to settle up with your insurance company. If you have a camcorder or can borrow one, take a video inventory. Store the tape in a safe place such as a safe deposit box. If you have large valuables, etch your drivers license number into them. It will make them much easier to identify if they wind up at a local pawn shop.
Nobody expects to be a victim of crime, but it does happen. By taking a little time to protect your home you can greatly reduce your chances of being a victim or make it easier to recover from a burglary.
Prepared for the 2006 Storm Season?
Labels: Prepared for the 2006 Storm Season?The 2006 hurricane season is expected to be an active one. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) predicts 13 to 16 storms including up to six major hurricanes. Accuweather has a similar outlook, predicting one in six Americans could be directly impacted. President Bush and the NOAA are warning people to be prepared following last year's devastating hurricanes.
During a recent news conference at the NOAA National Hurricane Center, Deputy Secretary of Commerce David A. Sampson said, "The impact from these storms extends well beyond coastal areas so it is vital that residents in hurricane-prone areas get ready in advance of the hurricane season."
Three Days Of Supplies
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) says families should have a response plan and an emergency preparedness kit. The Red Cross says a kit should include enough supplies for each family member for three days and it should be checked every six months. Emergency preparedness kits should include water, food, first aid and medical supplies, clothing, blankets, tools, sanitation items and important documents.
Power outages are a real threat during severe storms, so backup power is also an important element of an emergency preparedness kit. Gas generators are a common choice, but they have some drawbacks. First, they need fuel, which can often be in short supply during emergency situations. They are also noisy and produce dangerous fumes, so they can't be used indoors.
Backup Power Is Important
Another option for backup power without these drawbacks is a high-powered battery pack that can provide portable electricity in an emergency. These are available at major retailers and one popular brand is XPower by Xantrex. XPower offers products that range in power levels depending on your needs. XPower products can also jump-start vehicles, inflate tires and include flashlights or built-in radios. These products are clean, efficient, quiet and fumeless, so they are perfect for use inside the home, where generators are not safe.
Having power during an emergency enables people to contact emergency services, keep in touch with family, and stay informed through news and weather updates. Backup power can also provide light, heat or air-conditioning, keep food and medicine refrigerated, and can even power a sump pump to help keep the house dry.
With the high potential for hurricanes striking the U.S. this year, it's time to be prepared. Look for backup power products, such as the new XPower PowerSource 400, at your local Best Buy or select Staples stores.
Power outages are a real threat during severe storms, so backup power is an important element of an emergency preparedness kit.
Prepare Yourself For Whatever Comes Your Way
Labels: Prepare Yourself For Whatever Comes Your WayDisaster can strike quickly and without warning. It can force you to evacuate your neighborhood, workplace or school or can confine you to your home.
What would you do if basic services-water, gas, electricity or telephones-were cut off? Local officials and first responders will be on the scene after a disaster, but they cannot reach everyone right away. Therefore, the best way to make you and your family safer is to be prepared before disaster strikes. Here are some tips for preparing for natural disasters:
• Get to know the types of disasters that can occur in your community.
• Make a family communications plan that includes an evacuation plan and coordinates with your school, work and community communication plans. Practice this plan with your entire family.
• Create a disaster supplies kit that includes enough supplies for each family member for at least three days. Remember to check your kit every six months.
• Make sure your child knows what smoke alarms, fire alarms and local community warning systems (horns, sirens) sound like and how to respond.
• Teach your child how and, equally important, when to call for help. Even very young children can be taught how and when to call for emergency assistance.
• Children should memorize their family name, address and phone number. They should also know where to meet in case of an emergency. Some children may not be old enough to memorize the information. They could carry a small index card that lists emergency information to give to an adult or babysitter.
• If you commute to work, make sure you know alternative routes and carry appropriate supplies, such as a disaster supplies kit in your car and a compact kit with bare essential items such as a flashlight and whistle on public transportation.
Being prepared helps you and your family minimize the impact of a disaster such as a hurricane or earthquake or an emergency such as a fire or a broken leg. The Red Cross has tips and tactics to help you prepare. The time to get ready for unexpected situations is now-while you have time to plan.
Planning And Building A Security System That Works
Labels: barrier, bars, burglar, security, TorontoFirst of all a security system is not an alarm system, although the alarm system plays an important part in the overall security plan. In fact,no single component should be seen as most important, although as I will explain some measures provide greatest value for the security money you will be investing. The first step though is a survey of the premise, including how it is used, for what purpose and by whom, and of course the physical layout. Risk factors and loss potential are scrutinized as these greatly influence the budget.
Barrier security will be the first step in the implementation of the security system and devices such as window bars, security gates, security film, security grilles and good locks provide the greatest value for the money you will be investing. Barrier security can also be achieved through installation of security films which are fitted onto existing glass, security films such as Profilon tm, made by Haverkamp in Germany provide a near invisible coating that transforms glass into transparent armor. Security films are especially useful for strengthening glass in offices and homes. Typically thicker films work best for security applications and fourteen mil security film is currently consider minimum for commercial applications.
Security films work best on larger surface areas. Installation is very important and is as important to the barrier security as the choice of film. The glass type is also important with ordinary annealed glass as the design favorite. However if possible the glass should be changed to a laminated glass as that is the best substrate for security film. Installing on tempered glass should be avoided due to break characteristic of that glass. This is of utmost importance as door glass must conform to a safety code and that is almost always done with tempered glass and forced entry through glass accounted for two thirds of all break-ins. Unless the glass is changed to annealed or laminated glass single pane commercial doors should not be fitted with security film. It simply will not work. The mechanical bond of security film to the edges will add to or decrease the value of security film as barrier security and if possible security film should be fitted under the glass retaining stops.
To increase the effectiveness of security film in the security system the alarm system should include glass break detectors of the dual technology type or signature type. Very loud siren horns and or strobe lights outside over the glass is an excellent way to augment the effectiveness of security film in the security system.
The first line of protection in barrier security are the locks and their effectiveness as a security barrier depends entirely on the small details of the installation. Burglar bars, window bars, security bars, different names same meaning are available over the counter or custom built in many shapes and sizes. Window bars are probably the best single investment of barrier security and because burglar bars have been used in the security system for thousands of years many examples of good design are readily available. Security bars are especially useful for protecting basement windows or for protecting windows in warehouses as they provide visual deterrence as well as providing barrier security. A visual display of security is very useful when planning a security system as opportunistic thieves can be easily persuaded to move elsewhere by carefully planned barrier security.
As risk increases the security system becomes layered so that thieves are forced to spend valuable time after detection but before penetrating the barrier security to get to the reward.
Planning and designing an effective security system is as much art as science, but more than anything else involves common sense and while there is temptation to rely on high technology the opposite is true. The best system is simple and relies heavily on barrier security with electronic systems as back up.
Picking the right lock
Labels: lock picking, lock pins, lock tools, locksLock picking is the activity that opens a lock without the proper key. When we are thinking of it, usually we are associating it with illegal activities. But that isn't always the case!
Let's think for example what we can do if we have lost the house key or if we have locked ourselves outdoors. If we live on the ground floor we could jump through the window (if it's not open we can easily break it with a stone). But if we are not, we either unlock the door or... break it (which is not a cheap solution). With a bit of talent and an unsophisticated lock, we can manage to unlock it ourselves. Though the reality is not quite like in the movies (when a door is unlocked in a couple of minutes, just in time for the hero to save the heroine). The best solution is to call for a professional locksmith, who is trained to deal with these situations.
When picking a lock, a locking tools kit is needed. The simplest kit contains a tension wrench (a screwdriver for example) and a lock pin (a long, thin piece of metal, curved at the end). In an emergency situation, a lock pin is successfully replaced with a hair pin. A professional kit will have a lot of tension wrenches (in different sizes and shapes) and a lot of dimensions for the lock pins. Or it could have a pick gun (contains many metal pieces, that vibrate and push all the lock pins up at once).
First step is to insert the tension wrench in the keyhole and turn the cylinder like a normal key would do. Then we can insert the lock pin and carefully start to lift the pins up. When they reach the normal position we will hear a slight click and the lock is unlocked.
Along with “picking” there is another technique called “racking”. It presents a lower level of precision. We need a special pick called a “rake”. This will be inserted until it hits the back of the cylinder (not slowly like a pick) and it will be pulled out quickly in order to hit all the pins up on its way out. In the meantime the cylinder is turned with the tension wrench.
Master locks are one of the hardest locks to be picked! They are not infallible, but they do have an excellent protection system. They were invented in 1921, by Henry Soref, who thought of producing the padlocks in laminated layers of steel. While the Master locks in padlocks have the same picking system as the other locks, Master locks in combined formats require a patient and skillful locksmith.
There are a lot of lock picking books, which teach us the techniques of lock picking step by step. Sometimes they are accompanied by a video or CD for a better illustration. Some of the books are written for professional locksmiths, but there are also many others directed to people that simply want to know more about the subject. Sometimes the books show the history of locks and lock picking or how a person can become a locksmith!
When buying a lock, we have to keep in mind the value of what we intend to protect! Most locks can be picked, but buying a good one increases our security and safeness!
Plain Sight Covert Hidden Cameras
Labels: 007 spy factory, security, surveillance productsOne of the uniquely inconspicuous ways to use covert hidden cameras is by utilizing the book camera. It is a wireless system that contains a high quality CCD camera and it fits in virtually anywhere you want to put it. Stick it up on the shelf with all of your other books or put it in a stack of books on your desk or credenza. No one will be the wiser.
Let us say that you like to have music playing in the background where you work. It doesn’t matter if you like to listen to the radio or a CD player; there are boom boxes that contain covert hidden cameras that play both. With a line of site of up to seven hundred feet, this entertaining boom box can secretly keep an eye on what is happening and with four different channels available, you can run up to four units simultaneously. Whether you use it in the home or in the office, you will be sure keep your surveillance a secret.
Another clever way that covert hidden cameras are being used is in a special coffee mug. This item is ideal for interrogation rooms of law enforcement agencies, as well. The mug contains a tiny camera and video transmitter that automatically switches from color to black and white in low light situations. You can use up to four units at once and they are good for a range of up to one thousand feet depending upon the terrain and RF interference.
