Posts Tagged ‘crime’

How Good Lighting Is Important For Home Security

Thursday, July 29th, 2010

The home owners continue to be given ideas and tips on how good lighting is just as important to the home as strong locks and good fences are. It has been found that good lighting that cannot be reached by the burglars serve as a deterrent to them; even though many property owners have not been in a hurry to incorporate lighting into their security plans.

Burglars like to strike at areas with poor lighting and especially through the doors, so particular care should be taken to fix lighting on the doorways so that the home can have enough light on the grounds. Be sure to put at least some light because little is better than being without.

It is normal for burglars to ignore the homes that are well lit and move further to the ones that appear darker because they never want to be detected when entering. This simply means that dark and poorly lit homes are the ones that are easy targets.

It is recommended that one should use motion detectors that can be fixed with the lighting system to light up the yard but at the same time serve as a security measure. They are able to detect disturbance and raise the alarm.

That is why you need to fix them, especially when you are going away from home. Any slight disturbance will enable the neighbors to call the police.

When installing the motion detectors do not use them on your front yard because it will actually light up the people who are passing on the street. The best place to put them would be your back yard.

Remember that alarm detectors may be disturbed by kids who are playing too, so choosing the right spot away from the general public is important, or else people may set it off too many times and in the end nobody would take it seriously anymore.

These days, people use solar panels with LED lights that can enable them to save on electricity; but even the cost of installing motion detectors is not high at all. It is equivalent to what you would give the electrician to come look at an electric fault.

The author also regularly blogs about topics such as open source accounting software and retail store POS software.

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Book Review: Arctic Drift, by Clive Cussler

Friday, February 26th, 2010

As always, Clive Cussler’s latest novel stays right on top of current geopolitical events. Arctic Drift, set in 2011, centers on global warming and the financial crisis.

The crook in Arctic Drift is a Canadian energy empire billionaire by the name of Mitchell Goyette who is publicly admired for his green technology businesses, while concealing his heavy involvement in natural gas and oil.

The United States faces a financial meltdown, aggravated by the threat of an international boycott if the country does not decrease its carbon dioxide emissions from coal fired power plants. Canada holds the key to America’s salvation in the form or an enormous wealth of natural gas reserves.

The American president in 2011, when the story takes place, plans to use natural gas from Canada to replace both coal and automobile gasoline, thereby killing two birds with one stone. The nation would make huge savings by cutting down on expensive oil imports, and simultaneously reduce greenhouse gas emissions by burning a cleaner fuel.

This desperate American play gets exploited by the industrialist Goyette to the fullest. Officially, he is the hero of the green movement because of his heavy investments in wind power and carbon dioxide sequestering. Unofficially, he holds a major interest in the Athabasca oil sands of Alberta, as well as the entire Melville natural gas field in the Canadian Arctic.

The unconscionable Goyette strikes a deal with the American government to sell nearly limitless supplies of Melville natural gas at market value, which would help the U.S. avert the escalating energy crisis, a financial meltdown, and an international trade boycott. But when Goyette is able to secretly work out a better deal with China, he does not hesitate to break his agreement with the U.S. and leave the southern neighbor high and dry.

(In reality, it seems a little farfetched that the American government would not have had an iron-clad, legally binding, written contract in place for a deal of this magnitude and importance. But it makes for a good story.)

But Goyette’s double-dealing with China and the U.S. pales in comparison to some of his other crimes, which include political assassination, intentional dumping of toxic waste that kills humans and wildlife, theft, vandalizing, bribery of high ranking officials, and worst of all, nearly instigating a war between Canada and the U.S.

What Goyette does not count on, of course, is Dirk Pitt, the hero of 20 Clive Cussler books, including this latest installment. In the end, good prevails over evil.

Arctic Drift is an excellent and seamless co-authorship between Clive Cussler and his son, Dirk Cussler. It is hard to tell the penmanship of one apart from the other throughout the book. Whatever sections Dirk Cussler wrote, he did an excellent job of adopting Clive’s inimitable style. (That’s an intentional oxymoron.)

Arctic Drift is a thrilling read in classic Clive Cussler style. You will not be disappointed. It may not be the edge-of-your-seat non-stop action from cover-to-cover as in some of the older Cussler works, but it’s still an exciting, intriguing and brilliantly written story that keeps your attention and makes you want to keep reading. The thugs are as smart as they are sinister, and the heroes as pure as Arctic ice.

Britt Hellman lives in Western North Carolina with her husband and three children. She runs her own copywriting business from her house. Clive Cussler has been one of her favorite writers since she read his Trojan Odyssey in 2003 and she writes reviews like this one on Arctic Drift for the fun of sharing that excitement.

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Taking A Closer Look At OC Pepper

Saturday, February 20th, 2010

Oleoresin Capsicum Pepper Spray is the most widely used less-than-lethal, self-preservation product in use today. It is more generally referred to as “OC Pepper Spray.” In the past few years its popularity has grown. It has now become the primary personal defense device preferred by more average law-keeping individuals than any other defensive weapon.

What is there to know about OC spray and how it works? Pepper spray is made from a naturally occurring, harmless substance found in hot pepper plants called Oleoresin Capsicum (OC). This is where it gets its name. OC is the active component that makes peppers hot. The effectiveness or hotness of pepper spray is calculated in Scoville Heat Units (SHU). SHU is a scale developed in 1912 by an American chemist named Wilbur Scoville to gauge the hotness or spiciness of a variety of peppers. The number of SHU indicates the amount of capsaicin that is present in any given pepper. For example, a common bell pepper has no capsaicin present and is therefore rated at 0 SHU, however, Jalapeno’s are rated at 5000 and a Habanero is a whopping 250,000-300,000 SHU. For a pepper spray to be effective on an aggressor it should be rated at 2 million SHU, however, some law enforcement strength pepper spray is rated even higher at 5 million.

OC spray is an inflammatory agent, that when sprayed in the face of an assailant, will force the eyes to close immediately, it also causes temporary blindness, difficulty in breathing, a runny nose and an irrepressible cough that will send him to his knees. OC is also very effective on perpetrators who are under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or experiencing any kind of psychotic episode. The duration of the OC effects depend on the strength of the spray, but the average full effect lasts around thirty to forty-five minutes, with diminished effects lasting for hours. The assailant will usually make a full recovery once the effects completely wear off and, other than embarrassment, will not suffer any lasting adverse aftereffects.

OC Pepper spray is not water-soluble. It cannot be washed off even with large amounts of water. The best way to minimize the effects of pepper spray in the eyes is to blink vigorously to cause tearing. This will help to flush the irritant from the eyes. Also to keep the burning sensation to a minimum and prevent it from spreading to other parts of the body it is best not to touch the affected areas. Rubbing oils or creams onto the affected areas will trap the capsaicin in the skin pores resulting in a more severe burning sensation and possibly cause blistering.

Pepper spray is usually housed in small aerosol type containers that are petite enough in size to be carried or hidden inside a pocket or pouch. Pepper spray can also be bought camouflaged as rings, lipstick, or some other everyday item such as a pager or writing pen. Another thing, pepper spray has a shelf life of about 3-4 years. This is because the aerosol propellant could possibly escape from the canister. Should this happen, the spray may not perform as expected. It is best to pay attention to the expiration date found on the label of most models.

By and large, the general public regards OC spray to be the best non-deadly personal security weapon on the market. Their use is not considered lethal force, therefore, they are lawful in most states and usually no special permit or license is mandatory. Nevertheless, there are some states that do limit the possession and application of pepper spray. In New York state pepper spray can only be purchased from a certified pharmacist or firearms merchant. Massachusetts also requires defense spray to be purchased from a commonwealth sanctioned firearms broker. In the state and Wisconsin, OC in pepper spray cannot exceed 2%, and in Wisconsin, it cannot go over 10%. In California and Florida only 2oz size containers of pepper spray are legal. When traveling, OC cannot be taken on board any airplane for safety reasons. Before making your purchase it would be a good idea to check with your local police department for laws or restrictions governing the possession and use of pepper spray.

Looking to find the best deal on OC pepper spray and othe self-defense products, then visit www.a1selfdefenseproducts.com to find the best advice on just the right pepper spray for you.

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When Considering Information About Personal Alarms

Tuesday, February 9th, 2010

For a fact, people today are inter connected in ways not thought possible just a generation ago. And while this interconnectivity might seem a bit intimidating to some, it would be well to remember that this capability is able to keep people protected and safe in many circumstances. One such way, using a personal device that can alert or alarm, can help. Taking a look at personal alarms, then, can be important to do when considering the need for such articles.

Many of these devices come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and generally-low price ranges. One that’s been around for several years is a component that can help with personal self-defense, should that situation crop up. As a matter of fact, these kinds of alarms are among the fastest growing segment of devices sold in the self defense industry.

Many of these alarms — in fact, almost all of them with the exception of medical-related devices — feature certain characteristics in common with each other. For one, almost all of them come with very loud alarms and often exceed 130 dB in noise. Loud noise, given off by one of these alarms at just a tap of a button — can be helpful in attracting others to the area. They are small enough to be carried around on the key chain, as well.

For the most part, almost all personal-type alarm devices not related to self-defense are seen on TV and are also known as medical alert or medical alarms. They usually are a small part of a larger monitoring and alarm system which costs a few extra dollars a month. Elderly and senior people find these types of alarms to be very attractive, given their general age and probable physical issues as they grow older.

Many of these alarm types are worn on the wrist and the device is triggered just by the simple push of a button. These monitors dial a medical response center and evaluator, right from the telephone located in the elderly person’s home. Two-way voice communication sets up the discussion and the responder contacts a neighbor, a family member or medical assistance whenever required.

For those who aren’t comfortable with a device worn constantly on the wrist, or if it’s just too much of a violation of fashion sense, there are a number of alarms that come on handy necklaces, neck chains and lanyards. Worn as a pendant, the device can be transferred from the necklace to a wrist strap in just a minute or so.

In general, most of these alarms are more personal in nature and design for self protection and defense. There are whole lines of “travel alarms” better manufactured and advertised for use by travelers, who can take them with them while on the road and then placed in their hotel rooms. They feature motion sensors and intrusion alarms that can sound an alert should the hotel room be visited by an intruder out to do harm.

What can’t be disputed is that these personal alarms are handy and also can make excellent adjunct personal self-defense devices for women, children or anyone moving about in parking lots or garages, to name just two examples. Some are also intended for use as medical alarm alarms, though these are more expensive. Typically, most personal self-defense alarms can be purchased for less than $20, depending on their features and functions.

Looking to find the best deal on personal alarms and other self defense products, then visit www.a1selfdefenseproducts.com.

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The Perfect Gift for The Entire Family is Crime Prevention

Thursday, February 4th, 2010

The winter holiday season is a very busy time of year for everyone, especially for criminals. With the holiday season upon us, most people are preoccupied with the details of holiday planning and shopping. Many shoppers are out and about running errands, carrying more money and packages than during other times of the year. Unfortunately criminals view the holiday season as a time of opportunity. This is not a time to forget that criminals will also be out and about looking for easy targets to make a big score. Nothing can ruin your Christmas spirit faster than becoming the victim of a crime.

The FBI reports that criminal activity increases during December. Crimes such as burglaries, muggings, car thefts, robberies, pick pocketing, credit card scams, etc. Remember to be vigilantly follow all the safety measures you normal do when it’s not the holiday season. Criminals will be on the look out for someone they can catch off guard.

When you head out to the shopping malls after your Thanksgiving feast keep the following safety tips in mind. Remember these tips are useful all year long too.

SAFETY IN THE PARKING LOT

Trying to stay safe while you are shopping for Christmas can be a little difficult. Mainly because there are fewer daylight hours in the day at this season of the year. Often shoppers arrive at a mall when it is day and find that it has gotten dark outside by the time they are ready to leave. Anxious to get inside and make their purchases, many shoppers don’t consider this when they park.

Even though parking lots fill up quickly this time of year, try to park in a well-lit area with high pedestrian activity. Avoid parking in remote locations if at all possible. Once your car is parked, familiarize yourself with its location. Notice any row numbers, etc., so you can easily find it upon your return. Be sure to lock your car when you leave.

Take a friend along when you go shopping. Using the buddy system reduces your chances of being mugged or attacked. If you are shopping alone, consider walking near other shoppers in the parking lot. Walk in well-lit areas and be aware of your surroundings. Avoid areas where people are loitering. Walk with a purpose and authority in your stride.

SAFETY IN THE MALL

While shopping inside it is a good idea to avoid dark hallways and stockrooms, especially at closing time. Be sure to only use bathrooms that are located in high traffic areas of the mall such as the food court.

Be constantly guarded and vigilant as you move through crowds. Watch out for any unfamiliar person who bumps, pushes or gets too close. These may be a tactic designed to draw your attention away from pickpockets trying to take your wallet. Be sure to keep a close watch on your shopping bags and other personal effects as well. Always keep your purse close by. Never leave it unattended in the shopping cart. Don’t carry your wallet, credit cards or cash in the back pocket of your pants or in your backpack. These are places pickpockets find it easy to get at without being noticed. Keep them in your front pockets instead.

Don’t carry large amounts of cash with you. Try to make your purchases using a personal check, credit card, or ATM card if you can. At the times when you do pay using cash, pull out only what you need. Keep the rest of your cash hidden away so bystanders can see how much you are carrying. Regardless of the time of year, it is never a good idea to carry large amounts of cash with you. Try to save your most costly purchases for last, so you can head straight home afterward.

Try not to overload yourself with packages when it is time to return to your car. Combine smaller ones with one or two larger packages, or make several trips to your car. If you are overburdened, you won’t be able to see who may be approaching and it could prevent you from quickly responding to a threat.

It’s best to have your car keys ready and in hand when you reach your vehicle to prevent having to search for them. You may also want to check if you are being followed to your car too. When you approach your car wait until you get closer to use your remote to unlock it. Unlocking your car from a distance could alert a would-be attacker which vehicle is yours. He could then race ahead and be waiting for you arrive. Before you get into your car scan the back seat and other areas where an attacker might hide to make sure it is safe to do so.

It is a good idea to place your packages inside your trunk so they are out of sight. Never leave them in plain view where someone would be tempted to smash your windows and steal your packages while you are away from your car.

Once inside of your vehicle, you should lock your doors right away and then drive off. Wait until later to check off your list or scribble purchases into your checkbook ledger. Don’t delay your departure if it can be helped. Doing so gives an attacker the time he needs to walk up to your car and force his way inside, especially if you didn’t lock your doors.

An additional precaution you may to consider is to carry a personal alarm. A personal alarm is great for getting the attention of witnesses if you ever need it. They are easily carried on your wrist or key chain and will emit a loud annoying noise when activated. An attacker will not like that kind of attention. He will stop his assault and go away.

Following these safety tips will help your Christmas to be a cheerful and joyful affair.

Learn more about self defense products and other security devices such as personal alarms visit www.a1selfdefenseproducts.com.

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Self Defense Devices For Women

Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010

It is important that you try to make sure that you are always safe from risk. Of course certain risks are completely unavoidable but there are some things that you can do in order to give yourself the best chance to be prepared for any risk of attack that might come your way. Crime is always going to be prevalent so its important to prepare yourself in-case someone comes after you to grasp your purse or to sexually attack you. Self defense is something that you should consider whenever you are out alone or in a vulnerable state.

The most vulnerable time for any person and in particular women is during the night when it is dark. Attackers will lurk in dark side streets and vegetated areas just waiting for a possible victim. They will them jump out and strike when you are most unawares, either attempting to sexually abuse you or to snatch your belongings like your purse, phone and any jewelry that you might have on you. You need to take steps to ensure that you are as safe as possible, such as through making sure that you are never alone and keeping to well-lit areas.

There are a number of different ways in which you can defend yourself. One thing that you can do is to take self defense classes and to make sure that you know certain ways of protecting yourself against any would be attacker using only your arms and legs. You will be taught about techniques designed to focus on any attackers weak points such as their eyes and groin.

It is important that you also ensure that you are always carrying protection in the form of different devices. First of all, try to get yourself a stun gun. These are one of the most popular items on the market to use and are endorsed by police officers all over the world. They are designed to deliver a high voltage charge that is non lethal and will allow you to escape and to alert the proper authorities.

Much like a stun gun, you can also consider using a taser. This can be used from up to 20 feet away and will cause temporary paralysis to the attacker, again enabling you to escape.

Another option would be to get yourself a mace or pepper spray. These devices have been used for years and are excellent ways of defending yourself from a close contact attack. There are many different types of spray that you can get to fit into your handbag. Due to the fact that any attacker will be wary of the fact that you may have a spray on you, they have also been designed to be hidden in things like pens or even rings that are right to hand in-case of attack. These sprays will force the attackers eyes to shut for half an hour is delivered to their face, which will give you plenty of time to escape.

You might also consider carrying with you a knife. This is not the best option available to you however, and should be considered to be a last ditch option incase you are not in possession of any other device.

Whatever you choose to use, you should make sure that you are fully prepared from any possible attack by having at least on device on you at all times.

You can learn more aboutself defense and personal protection products by visiting www.a1selfdefenseproducts.com.

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Non-lethal Stun Guns And Why We Like Them

Friday, January 22nd, 2010

It is always difficult when you must face that we are all mortal. One day we will die and the end is what we all fear. My beautiful daughter was raped and horribly scarred approximately five years ago. Stun guns might have saved her from the vicious brutality she suffered. We all have one now.

In the world in which we live, it is difficult to understand how people can be so horrible to each other. But, let’s face it, it is a part of our lives and we must do what we can to keep ourselves safe. I do not have a problem with anyone who chooses to have a gun. But, guns are just not for me. I would rather use one of these shockers.

My mother always taught me to help people. That is something she did until the day she died. She always was ready with a helping hand and an open heart. She felt it was her privilege to help others. She told me never to fail to give help to others. This shows love and helps to spread hope.

Also, the color ranges are wide. I remember seeing a stun gun several years ago. It was nothing marvelous but, it did get my attention. But, it seemed too big and bulky. But, these that I saw at the pawn shop were very colorful. You can get one to match your purse. I think that is funny, getting one to match an article you already have. I saw one in my favorite color, and that is purple. I may get that one.

It is good for me (and for others) that a permit is not needed in order to carry one of these. I do not have the time to take any classes. With this I can simply follow the directions and on I go. So, just buying it in a shop or ordering it online, is easy and quick. As soon as it is in my hands, I can use it! I do not have to worry about the bulk of a pistol and do not have to have a holster!

It is always good to be prepared for the worst and hope for the best. After I had seen the trouble my friend suffered, I felt I had to also take measures to protect myself. It is unfair to feel that much fear any time you go out. Her fear has made me realize just how vulnerable we all can be.

I think this is the perfect idea for anyone. I believe it is imperative to protect yourself from all the violence which is out there. The world is getting worse and worse so why wait until the inevitable happens. It makes more sense to me just to get it now and I will have it with me when it is needed. I believe I will get one for my friend. She needs some protection too. I believe I like this great item!

Any way, I settle for a cute (can stun guns be cute) little cell phone stun gun. Yes, that is correct. It looks just like a cell phone. I never saw anything like it. It captured my heart when I laid eyes upon it. I can keep it right in my purse along with my other items and it is readily available. I do not know if I will ever need it. But, if there ever comes a time, I will be sure to use it. I love my life and want to keep it for as long as I can.

I found my stun gun and other security devices at A1 Self Defense Products www.a1selfdefenseproducts.com. You can too.

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Which Personal Protection Devices Should You Choose?

Wednesday, January 20th, 2010

Crime can strike anyone, anywhere without warning. It’s smart to be prepared and on your guard at all times. Most people don’t give crime much thought until they become a victim. Taking no precautionary measures, doing nothing to prepare yourself and thinking it can happen only to someone else, makes you the perfect victim criminals are looking for.

FBI reports tell us that violent crime is everywhere in the U.S. At any given time an aggressive assault is happening somewhere. Crimes like murder, forcible rape, physical battering, etc. Unfortunately there is no 100 percent assurance you’ll never be in circumstances where you have to defend yourself.

The final achievement in crime prevention is reducing the risk of becoming a victim. This can easily be done by making yourself less of a target. There are various methods you can use to protect yourself. Not all of them mean you have to take a self-defense class. However, if you are a woman, you may want to consider taking one. In addition there are a variety of self-defense devices available that you can use to help protect yourself and loved ones against attack.

Self-defense products are becoming a very popular means of protection these days due to the tremendous increase in crime. They are legal in most states and are not that expensive if you consider their importance in your protection. They are also widely used by police forces and military units throughout the world for law enforcement and crowd control.

Non-lethal in nature, self-defense products are effective tools meant to give you enough time to escape a dangerous situation. They are so easy to use, even the most inexperienced individuals can feel confident about defending themselves.

With the many choices available, it’s hard to know which product to choose. The three most popular items are personal alarms, pepper spray and stun guns. The choice is up to you as to which one you are most comfortable with using.

A personal alarm is an excellent device for drawing attention to yourself. Attention is the last thing an attacker wants. These small, inexpensive items are easily carried and emit such a loud and obnoxious noise, that should you encounter an assailant, he would most likely search for a quieter victim.

Pepper spray (a.k.a. defensive spray) causes a burning and tearing of the eyes when sprayed into the face of an assailant. It is a very effective way to stop an attack and can be sprayed from 18 feet away. The effects are temporary and will only last for about 1/2 hour.

Almost anyone can be disabled by a stun gun. They are powerful devices that affect the nervous system. This is what controls muscular movement. They work very well in increasing your chances of getting away from a perilous circumstance. An attacker will be disabled in only a few seconds after being shocked with the electrical charge from one.

All self-defense products above are easy to use and highly effective when it comes to personal protection. You might want to consider keeping all three on hand should you ever need them.

Learn more about self defense products, stun guns, pepper spray and personal alarms. Visit them at www.a1selfdefenseproducts.com.

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Worried about safety? Take Personal Security Training Measures

Saturday, December 12th, 2009

There is no better way to protect yourself than by educating yourself in self-defense. It doesn’t have to involve learning advanced techniques or require months out of your life either. But a little personal security training will go a long way in helping to ensure your own safety.

The chances of you ever being attacked, robbed or kidnapped are not great but they do, in fact, exist and it is worth being prepared. Most people can sense the types of places and situations to avoid but sometimes these sorts of places and situations are truly unavoidable. You want to be prepared for times like these.

Potential attackers choose their targets carefully. This does not necessarily mean that you have been targeted for days but rather implies that a potential attacker will assess and determine if you will be their next victim or not quickly. Something as simple as the manner in which you walk to your car can determine whether or not you will be chosen for the assault.

Personal security training courses are offered in many communities around the country and it is a great idea to sign up for a class! These classes will teach you how to handle potentially threatening situations. They will teach you the importance of confidence in deterring criminals and you will learn techniques to help you avoid confrontation and/or get out of it quickly.

As a general rule, the people who instruct these classes have a background in law enforcement or may have had some personal experience with assault in the past. Either way, they are usually quite passionate about sharing their knowledge and teaching people how to protect themselves. Classes may meet once or twice a week for a few weeks and you will have the opportunity to put your newfound knowledge to the test with hands-on practice and enough review that you can call on your training should you ever need it.

Personal security training can help you lead a safer, more secure life. The knowledge you acquire will increase your level of confidence and help to alleviate any lingering fear you may have about being unprepared in difficult situations. This alone makes you a less likely target for attackers.

Don’t appear to be vulnerable! Get some pepper spray or an alarm and sign up for personal security training today so you will be ready for whatever the future may hold.

If you are concerned about personal security training i hope you enjoyed this article. You can find a whole host of other info dedicated to personal security on my website.

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