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Organizing Cables for Safety

Admin — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:01:45 +0000

What do computers, toasters, sanders, and glue guns have in common? They’re all typically accompanied by electric cables, features that are becoming increasingly common as the range and number of electronic devices increases in most environments. Cables may often be looked upon as simple items that might be cumbersome or unsightly but that ensure frequently-used equipment is able to function properly. Unfortunately, cables can also become a safety hazard when they’re not treated with a bit of respect and wisdom. Potentially leading to tripping, the toppling of equipment, and even electrical fires, cables present very real dangers that are nevertheless rarely taken into account by homeowners or workers. When cables are reconsidered in terms of their ability to wreak havoc at home or in the workplace, it should become clear that keeping them neat and properly organized should be a high priority. The minimal time and effort needed to ensure that cables are safe makes turning this hazard into a fully-addressed safety issue easy.

The workplace can be one of the most dangerous venues for safety problems involving cables. Not only are there often many different kinds of cabled equipment in the workplace, but the high traffic of workers traversing the property can lead to a greater risk of accidents. In some places of work, it’s primarily computers and related office equipment that leads to cluttered cables. Connected to computers, printers, fax machines, and other common pieces of office equipment, cables can quickly add up to create a tangled mess that’s as unsightly as it is dangerous. Rather than forcing cables behind a desk or leaving them hanging and unorganized, workers or supervisors can get a lot of help from simple twist ties or ratchet ties. These small and inexpensive items allow cables to be bundled together in neat packages that can then be placed out of the way, minimizing the risk of various safety problems.

Workplaces with a more industrial focus can also benefit from ties, but the more pressing problem with cables in such environments is the use of extension cables and other long cords, which can easily create tripping hazards. Even when workers are carefully taught to observe basic safety practices surrounding long cables, frequent interaction with such items can make it easy to forget or make a poor split-second decision, leading to property damage or injury. Insisting that cables are kept as neatly as possible and that workstations have short-distance access to electrical plugs can help reduce the risks presented by long cables. Supervisors and safety personnel may wish to inspect work areas frequently to both examine how workers are using cabled items and to discover new measures for improving cable safety.

Cables are also common hazards in most homes. In the kitchen, cables are frequently needed for everything from coffee makers to juicers to hand mixers, and the number of cords can easily stack up. Both during cooking and when the kitchen is not in use, it may be easy to simply leave corded appliances and tools laying around, leading to a number of potential dangers including unintended item switch-on and electrocution. Taking the time to carefully and deliberately clear and store kitchen appliances can make the area far more secure for home cooks and for everyone who comes into regular contact with the kitchen. Home offices are also subject to problems with cables, and should be organized to ensure that cables aren’t simply left tangling on the floor or piling up on a desk top. As many of today’s consumers use a variety of electronic accessories with their computers, from music players to phones to cameras and beyond, properly organizing a home office can deliver the added benefit of making it faster and easier to access necessary plugs and cords for gadgets.

Home workshops, whether intended for fixing items around the house, for making crafts, or for nearly any other purpose, are subject to cable issues as well. Unplugging and properly storing electric items after use is a great way to minimize the dangers associated with hanging and disorganized cords, particularly when there are children or pets in the house. Installing hooks or other convenient items to make coiling cables easier is also a wise idea, and paying careful attention to the placement of cords during work can reduce the risk of tripping over cables or knocking items over.

While the safety concerns of cables may seem slight, they can lead to serious accidents no matter the setting. Thankfully, using just a few small organization products and basic techniques can help address these issues quickly and effectively. With a well-organized set of cords, using today’s wide range of electronic equipment can be safer and far less aggravating, making cord cleanup a wise choice for prioritization.

This article is sponsored by the home security store. We invite you to navigate throughout our website. We have dozens of sections covering a variety of home security kits, security cameras, personal safety products, environmental control devices, wired and wireless security products, and much more.

The Dangers of Medicine Contraindication

Admin — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 04:02:37 +0000

Modern medicine is able to treat and relieve an astounding variety of ailments, and taking advantage of various medicinal products is a fairly regular experience for most people. Ensuring that the administration of such medicines is safe, however, is an extremely important step that is sometimes overlooked. Taking care to read product information and to check on expiration dates, for instance, can help people enjoy a positive experience with medicine, where as neglecting to attend to this information can easily lead to exacerbated conditions and injuries. Of particular importance when considering the administration of a given medicine is the issue of contraindication. As the number of medications taken by the average person continues to climb, the risk of contraindication grows, and without proper attention to this concern, people may find cause them serious medical damage.

A contraindication can, essentially, describe any product or procedure that should be given special consideration in connection with a given patient. As an example, pregnant women typically are contraindicated for x-ray procedures, as the potential risk to the growing fetus warrants special concern. Medicine-based contraindications may be applicable to a patient either because of existing medications that the patient already takes, or because of known conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes. The vast majority of medications, both administered by doctors and those available over the counter, have a number of contraindications that make them potentially dangerous or even deadly for patients with in certain circumstances. While some contraindications may only result in slight discomfort or the inability of a new medication to work effectively, others may lead to serious medical complications or death, making it extremely important to take contraindication information seriously.

There are two primary types of contraindications for medicines: those which are relative, and those which are absolute. Relative contraindications signify that a certain medicine may present a certain known risk to people for whom the contraindication applies. The degree of seriousness and potential risk may be fairly small for such contraindications, but should nevertheless be a central part of any doctor’s decision-making process. Absolute contraindications, on the other hand, are applicable when there is no reasonable circumstance in which a medicine should be taken by those affected by the contraindication. A common absolute contraindication for most medicines relates to allergies; if a patient is known to be allergic to a certain type of medicine, for instance, they should not take it under any circumstances. Many medications are absolutely contraindicated with each other, meaning that a person taking a given medication should never be given a certain other medication, but should take an alternative, instead.

Whether a contraindication is relative or absolute, it should be understood and thoroughly discussed between patients and their doctors or emergency medical personnel. Reading drug information before taking any over the counter medications is also a wise idea for anyone taking a new pill or other medicinal treatment. As medicine-based contraindications rely on knowledge of existing conditions and medications taken by a patient, being upfront with medical professionals about any and all personal medical circumstances is of great importance in order to avoid potentially disastrous consequences. Though it may sometimes feel embarrassing or overly involved to list relevant medications, conditions, or medical history with a doctor, doing so is a sure way to lower the majority of risks related to medicinal contraindications.

Because of the potential for contraindications to fatally interfere with medical treatment, some people choose to ensure their own safety by carrying special medical cards or wearing bracelets which list relevant information. Particularly useful for those at risk of debilitating accidents or episodes as well as for patients with especially critical allergies or who take a large number of medications, such tools can prevent doctors from unknowingly administering life-threatening treatments. As patients may be unable to communicate with medical professionals in certain situations, having this information available is a wise idea. Telling family members and neighbors about particularly dangerous contraindications relevant to personal medical circumstances is another way to ensure that critical data is available if and when debilitating emergencies occur.

Paying close attention to the dangers of medicinal contraindication is a necessary part of any responsible approach towards healing. While patients may believe they’re aware of the contraindications of over the counter drugs, carefully reading related information and consulting with a doctor when necessary is essential for good health. Being open with medical personnel and putting emergency information relay measures in place are also important steps towards avoiding the potentially life-threatening consequences of taking medicines contraindicated for personal circumstances. With the right approach towards assessing and responding to medicine-based contraindications, both patients and doctors can ensure that medicines are able to deliver a beneficial effect without putting the safety –whether short or long term– of the patient at undue risk.

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Can a Playground be “Too Safe?”

Admin — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 02:53:32 +0000

The safety of children is a top concern for many parents and guardians, and safety during play activities can be particularly important for peace of mind. Traditionally, public playgrounds have offered kids and their guardians a venue for engaging in relatively secure play activities, and many children have fond memories of visiting such playgrounds during their early years. In some areas, however, concerns over faulty playground equipment, dangerous designs, and other potential threats to child safety have catalyzed the redesigning of playgrounds, which has delighted some parents –and outraged others. The question of whether a playground can possibly be too safe has become a prominent issue among parents and communities, making the traditional trip to the local playground a more thought-intensive exercise than perhaps ever before.

The contrasts between today’s newest playgrounds and those installed in previous decades are likely to appear stark to even the most casual of observers. In many modern play areas, major changes have been concentrated in the materials used to create equipment, and surfaces in particular have been changed dramatically. Whereas traditional playgrounds often featured flooring consisting of sand, pebbles, or wood chips, modern playgrounds often eschew such materials in favor of specialty foams or rubber, which are intended to provide better cushioning for falls and slides. Pieces of equipment such as jungle gyms or swing sets are also often dampened by modern safety concerns, and climbing or swinging activities may be markedly more limited in height or the allowance of movement than they were previously.

While some of the common measures taken to improve the safety of modern playgrounds may offer genuinely critical benefits, others have been targeted as detracting from the fun and adventure of play areas. Though most parents agree that playgrounds shouldn’t present children with serious threats to their health and safety, some suggest that modern playground designs go too far in their quest to protect children. Proponents of more traditional playgrounds argue that risk is a natural part of life, and shouldn’t be entirely removed from a childhood experience. When kids are introduced to playgrounds that forgo physical and mental challenges in favor of providing the safest possible environment, some parents propose, they may develop especially risk-averse behaviors or decline to engage in rigorous activities later in life.

In fact, the potential psychological effects of having basic challenges removed from playtime may make the traditional dangers of classic playgrounds seem desirable to some. Though parents and guardians may experience a natural instinct to protect children from all possible harm, many important lessons are often taught to kids through the processes of exploration and trial and error, which can sometimes involve minor injuries and upsets. Kids whose inclination to explore and to be adventurous is excessively padded may develop incorrect ideas about the world and the dangers it presents to people, and may also experience a lowered sense of confidence or self-esteem. Without the ability to take basic risks and work through challenges, kids may face life-long psychological concerns, even if they successfully avoid negligible physical injuries along the way.

Some parents –as well as some child psychology professionals– suggest that striking a balance between playground safety and the allowance of certain risks is a viable answer to the modern controversy over playgrounds. While dampening possible falls may be a good idea, removing equipment that provides kids with climbing or swinging challenges may be disadvantageous. By considering which risks are presented to children and taking care to ensure that possible consequences aren’t life-threatening, parents can help create a safer environment for kids without crippling the adventure of new childhood experiences and physical and mental development. Of course, reaching this balance in a playground is largely the responsibility of designers and public officials, and parents may be ill-equipped to tackle the issue on their own. Providing kids with suitable play areas at home and identifying fun public activities and equipment for play rather than relying on overly dangerous or overly safe playgrounds may be a good choice for concerned parents.

Whenever a health or safety risk is thoroughly examined, weighing the potential benefit against the possible consequences can yield valuable information for decision-making. Parents and guardians considering the security of children in their care are likely to find various risks too great when kids are especially young, but this doesn’t mean that all risks should be eradicated whenever possible. By putting measures in place to reduce seriously harmful consequences, parents can allow kids to take reasonable risks and enjoy freedom during their playtime, contributing to greater confidence and agility throughout their later years. While playgrounds should offer safe fun to kids, a growing number of people are suggesting that sometimes, today’s playgrounds are too safe to help kids explore, develop, and grow into healthy young adults.

Health and Fitness Safety Tips for Novice Trainers

Admin — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 01:31:13 +0000

Making the decision to join and exercise regimen to one’s lifestyle is something worth celebrating, this is because it has many untold benefits. Just with many other good decisions that people make, exercising can also be a risky affair more so if you are beginning the regimen when you already have other health conditions like cardiovascular diseases and or obesity.

Most of these conditions may actually increase risks of injuries if you choose not to seek a doctor’s opinion before beginning. Consequently, it is of paramount importance that you follow guidelines, which will ascertain that you stay safe through the sessions.

Safety precautions to consider before beginning

When you are planning to increase or begin an exercise regimen, you need to begin with asking yourself a few questions. These are the golden rules, which will make certain that you reduce the chances of accidents and injuries. There is a questionnaire known as the physical activity readiness questionnaire –PARQ, which trainers and doctors use to check ones health and address any underlying health conditions.

You need to ask yourself if your doctor has ever mentioned that you have a heart condition
Ask yourself if you feel pain when you engage in physical activity
Determine if you have felt pain in the chest without doing any physical activity
Establish if you have any joints or bone problems
You need also to know if you lose balance, get dizzy, or lose consciousness.

The other risk factor that you need to consider are any chronic medical conditions like high blood pressure, arthritis diabetes including lifestyle habits like smoking. You need to discuss all these with your doctor before you begin the program. Often times, they can have big limitations on how much or how rigorous your exercises can be. The golden rule with exercises for novices is to begin slow and increase intensity over time. The worst decision that you can make is to begin with a bang when you have not exercised for years.

Get the right apparel for the program

Getting well equipped before you begin will go a long way in determining your fitness. When buying gym shoes, make sure that they fit well and offer the necessary support for your body type and the activity levels. Sports equipment service providers offer advice on the right shoes depending on the activity.

When buying other exercise clothing, think absorbent clothes. You are also better off with lightweight clothing, if you can, stick to cotton clothing. Women should invest in sports bras. These bras help support the breasts as they move about when exercising, which is not possible with regular bras. Nonetheless, avoid using plastic and rubber clothing, these prevent the body from breathing properly and may lead to overheating and other health risks.

You should not forget to use protective gear in exercises like a helmet for biking and knee and elbow pads are necessary for skating. Sunglasses and sunscreen are necessary for outdoor activities.

Warning signs to stop

Apparently, exercising can be uncomfortable more so for a beginner. Challenging the body to do more that it normally does can cause pains and discomfort. During fitness session look for signs of something more serious. These are:

You suddenly feel dizzy or sick
Break into a sudden cold sweat
You get muscle cramps
Sudden pain in the joints ankles and feet
Sudden and irregular heart beat
Pain and or pressure in the middle or left part of the chest or in the inside of the neck

Health and Fitness Safety Guidelines When Training

Admin — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 16:33:51 +0000

There are many people, who begin doing exercises in the gym by copying what others are doing. What they do not realize is that this is dangerous to their health. It is very important that on beginning an exercise regimen that you involve your gym instructor or fitness trainer who will evaluate your physical condition to decide which exercises are best for you and the ones that may lead to injury. Apparently, sitting on the couch all day will only mean further harm and weight gain. However, getting an injury from the gym is also discouraging and breaks your exercise momentum. The most commonly injured areas of the body are the knees and the back, which can even lead to surgery to correct the problem.

Taking care of the knees while you workout

The knee is the essential part of the leg, which when injured can regulate activities such as walking, running and standing. Activities can become very painful. To reduce knee injuries the following measures are highly recommended.

When exercising make sure that your knees do not go beyond the toes, whether you are squatting or doing step aerobics
Avoid bouncing while doing exercise as this causes over stretching of ligaments
Avoid locking the knees as this only increases the load on the knees and does not increase the motion range
Avoid pointing the toes and knees in different directions, whatever exercise you do ensure that the knees and toes point in the same direction
Avoid hard contact of the knees on the floor
Avoid putting blocks under the knees as this makes it hard not to avoid the knee and toe line. Always push from a flat surface

Taking care of the back while exercising

Another very common injury among people exercising in the gym is the lower back injury. Always remember that the back is the central support system, and you have to take good care of it for longevity and in your daily activities. Health and fitness rules for the back help keep the spinal vertebrae properly aligned. Failure to have good alignment will lead to muscle weakness and back pains, along with pains in other body parts. To prevent this from happening these are a few guidelines to follow.

Always ensure that you keep your head in a balanced position. Whatever the exercise you do, ensure that the shoulders are back and the chest is up.
Always keep the back straight, when you are doing any exercises in an upright position make sure that you are not arching the back.
Always keep the back flat, this applies to when you are doing exercises while lying down, ensure that you do not curve the back.
Always keep the knees slightly bent to avoid hurting the back.
Train the abdomen as well for support as this will also help support the lower back muscles.

Cardiovascular safety rules

When many people are beginning an exercise regimen, they usually want instant results and this is actually not possible. It also leads to overtraining which can result in risks such as strokes and heart attacks depending on the individual’s health conditions. Here are a few signs that say it’s time to take a break and possible signals of cardiopulmonary difficulties.

You begin feeling pain on the shoulders chest and the surrounding areas
light-headedness nausea fainting and dizziness
Severe fatigue
Sweating profusely
The lack of increased heart rate even with increased activity
If the blood pressure drops or increases significantly

Having a personal trainer is a sure way to stay safe in your health and fitness regimen, and most of all being wise will certify that you obtain results and stay fit for life.

How to Run or Jog Safely

Admin — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 01:07:59 +0000

Jogging or running on a regular basis is an inexpensive fun and easy way of staying fit for all of us. However taking some precautionary measures and added commonsense will guarantee your safety as you step outdoors to begin your exercise routine. Here are a few tips, which you can follow to reduce injuries and to stay safe while outdoors.

Prior to beginning the run

One very important step that many people overlook before they start jogging or running for the first time. Consult with your physician to evaluate your present fitness level and medical conditions. A warm up is very important as it prepares the muscles for the task ahead, you can begin by walking briskly for a few minutes, then rest briefly and give the muscles a few seconds to relax. Stretching after a brief warm-up and after your runs can help.

Do a safety check before beginning

Before you even begin the jog, it is important that you verify your personal safety. Ensure that you have tied your shoes well, that you are familiar with the route you intend to take and that there is another person who is aware that you are going out for a run. Safety checks do not end once you begin running. Make sure that you are jogging off the streets and on the sidewalk and against oncoming traffic. On the other hand, look on the ground ahead of you. There could be rocks or branches which could lead to injuries. On the jogging track

As you jog it is paramount that you remain visible to other people more so drivers. You may consider using bright-colored clothing as this will make you more visible. If you are running early in the morning, at night or at dusk make sure you have reflective apparel on. This could be something like a reflective jacket or running shoes. Reflective clothing can be in any form as long as this makes you more visible to drivers. If you chose your jogging time to be late in the evening or very early in the morning, it is important that you run with other people, numbers count when it comes to outdoor fitness security. If you have run alone, consider revising your decision and find a group with similar interests to run with.

It feels good to run with music on from your mp3 player or an iPod. However, this can also be a distraction from hearing oncoming cars or cyclists, or even lose dogs. It is important that you are able to hear what is going on around you. It’s your duty to make sure that you are safe. Also, certify that you make eye contact with drivers as you cross streets, never assume that the driver has seen you.

Carry some cash and identification with you

Remember to have some form of identification with you as you go out of the house to jog. This can be a document like your driver’s license or medical insurance with emergency contacts, this is important in case of an emergency where you cannot talk. You also need to have some cash in your pocket or your ATM card. This is helpful if you have an injury. You may need to get some first aid supplies or hire a cab to get home. On the other hand, the weather may turn unfriendly and must get home quickly, or you may get thirsty or need some energy drink.

First University in the World to Install Life-Saving Evacuation Technology

Admin — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 19:52:58 +0000

Upper Iowa University partners with Northern Ireland firm on revolutionary installation to enhance safety on Fayette campus
First U.S. installation; First University installation in the world

BELFAST, Northern Ireland – Upper Iowa University (UIU) President Alan G. Walker has announced that UIU will be working with a Belfast, Northern Ireland firm, Lightstep Technologies, on an installation to enhance safety on the UIU campus in the United States in a project that will be the first of its kind in the United States and the first installation on any university campus around the world.

Walker joined Lightstep Executive Chairman Kieran Patterson, founder and executive chairman of Lightstep Technologies, to announce the joint initiative in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on Friday May 13.

Lightstep Technologies is the creator of what is billed as the world’s first intelligent evacuation system. In a building equipped with Lightstep, escape routes are automatically illuminated and automatically rerouted as necessary depending on the type of emergency and location of the damage and/or fire. Not only is the safe escape route illuminated clearly in green, the unsafe routes are clearly crossed out with a red “X” so that occupants of the building can be evacuated more quickly without mistakes that cause injuries and cost lives. The lights remain clearly visible in smoke-filled environments.

“My background is in fire safety, and I knew immediately that UIU had to explore acquiring this technology,” Walker said. “In any fire, the key issue is always time. How quickly can you completely evacuate the building safely? The same is true for a building affected by any natural disaster. “

Patterson, who invented the path-finding technology, said he founded Lightstep in response to well-publicized disasters that resulted in major loss of life. “This will be the company’s first installation in the States and a huge opportunity for all involved,” Patterson said. “Upper Iowa University will become a showcase for Lightstep in the United States, and the system will elevate the UIU student facilities to the safest available worldwide.”

“This technology addresses the needs of rural, residential campuses like UIU just as effectively as it addresses evacuation in an urban office high-rise,” Walker said. “Universities like ours not only need to deal with potential daytime evacuation, but how to safely guide our students out of residence halls in the middle of the night as well. We believe all residential campuses should be exploring the Lightstep options to enhance campus safety, and we are proud to be the first University in the world to begin this work.”

Walker and Patterson said the UIU campus in Fayette will become a demonstration site that officials for other universities and organizations can visit to see Lightstep Technology in action.

“We look forward to seeing this exciting order progress over the coming months – this is a huge opportunity for Lightstep to bring the highest standards in evacuation systems to this vast marketplace,” Patterson said. “It’s an exciting time for Lightstep, with the team also due to attend the Fire Excellence Awards 2011 on May 17. The awards celebrate the best products, services and individuals in the fire safety industry, and Lightstep is shortlisted for the ‘Best Means of Escape’ product.”

Walker noted that the three newest UIU buildings, which were completed in 2010-11, will be retrofitted with the technology – the new student residence hall, the Liberal Arts Building, and the Student Center. Installation is scheduled for this fall.

“Working as partners with Lightstep to launch this technology in the United States has helped us defray costs and make the technology more affordable for UIU,” Walker added.

Although Lightstep technology has not been introduced previously in the United States, Patterson said the technology is also being installed in non-academic facilities in India and the Middle East.

“Lightstep is an unprecedented safety technology, and we believe Upper Iowa University is taking the right step toward ensuring student safety,” Walker added. “UIU is setting the standard for what safety should look like in colleges and universities around the world.”

About Lightstep Technologies

Located in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Lightstep provides a global market with the answer to a global need for new standards of life safety, providing unique intelligent evacuation technology which for the first time, enables building designers to install a situation sensitive and reactive LED lighting pathway and safe exit door identification system, combined with the market-leading stairwell illumination product. For more information, visit www.lightsteptechnologies.com <http://www.lightsteptechnologies.com <http://www.lightsteptechnologies.com> > and www.infor4fire.com/fireexcellenceawards2011.

About Upper Iowa University

Founded in 1857, Upper Iowa University is a private, not-for-profit university providing undergraduate and graduate degree programs and leadership development opportunities to nearly 6,800 students—nationally and internationally—at its Fayette campus and learning centers worldwide. Upper Iowa University is a recognized innovator in offering accredited, quality programs through flexible, multiple delivery systems, including online and independent study. For more information, visit www.uiu.edu.

Home Security Store and Visonic Joined Venture. PowerMax Design

Admin — Sat, 11 Jun 2011 18:19:52 +0000

Home Security Store and Visonic joined together creating the New PowerMax Design Wireless Security System for a secure way of life.

The Visonic PowerMax Design is unique among alarm systems and is Exclusive to the Home Security Store, meaning you won’t find it anywhere else. The Home Security Store’s PowerMax Design Kit is a Do It Yourself ready to install reliability wireless home security system. The wireless sensors are pre-enrolled for ease of installation. The Design electronics is Visonic’s PowerMax express, but with a new face and customizable color skins.

You can’t get more stylish than the PowerMax Design Kit. Featuring 8 changeable skins in different vibrant colors including brown, baby blue, canary, ivory, slate, gun metal, silver and evergreen, you can match your alarm kit to virtually any style and color décor within your home. Sticking and un-sticking your color skin is easy and will leave no unsightly residue behind.

This wireless security system can report burglar alarm, fire alarm, panic alarms via telephone or Internet messaging to you, or can be professionally monitored by any alarm monitoring company. With the PLINK2 board Internet module connected to your home network allows the system to be controlled by web browser from anywhere in the world by internet connection, including mobile phones like iPhone, Blackberry and Android OS. You can connect using Visonic’s web portal.

Visonic’s PowerMax Design is an exceptionally small, wireless control panel that delivers all of the reliability and features homeowners need. Highly cost-effective and unique among its size class, this sleekly designed control panel packs outstanding functionality into a comprehensive all-in-one, self-contained panel.

The PowerMax Design can be armed or disarmed by you from any phone in the world or via Internet. Multiple arming modes include away, home, home instant and a special Latchkey mode that can notify parents when kids disarm the alarm system.

PowerMax Design provides the perfect solution for Do It Yourself homeowners looking for a wireless control panel that combines full functionality with affordability and ease of use. PowerMax Design can typically be installed in less than two hours.

It is designed to suit the widest variety of family lifestyles, home designs and available communications infrastructures. Wherever reliable home security is needed, PowerMax Design is ready to provide the answer.

It’s easy to install and use, and the ideal solution for any requirements.

The Home Security Store is dedicated to enhancing people’s way of life by increasing their sense of security. Our easy-to-use and innovative home security system is a vital part of everyday family life. We empower people to pursue their daily lives with full confidence that the people and things they care most about are safe and comfortable.

PowerMax Design Express Features:

All-in-one, self-contained panel
Stylish, ultra-compact design, fits any décor
Versatile communications capabilities:

Built-in PSTN communicator
Easy-to-add internal GSM/GPRS and/or Broadband* communications modules for maximum alarm reporting reliability to the central station and back-up for the standard PSTN lines

Simple installation and user-friendly operation with intuitive icon based keypad
Market leading range of wireless peripherals
Two-way RF system with diversity antenna
Designed to comply with most international standards and regulations, including: FCC, CE and EN50131 grade 2

Protecting Your Home During a Blackout

Admin — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 22:22:20 +0000

As if the damage from the tsunami in Japan wasn’t bad enough, much of the infrastructure that was left intact has been forced to endure rolling blackouts and food rations, making them a prime target for increased crime rates. Even if you think your house is more secure than Fort Knox, the fact is that all home security systems need power, and chances are you don’t have a spare generator in your home. If your home is protected by an alarm system like this, then your security system is essentially worthless in the event of a blackout. In situations like this, the only solution is to improvise. The following are 5 tips on how to “get a little MacGyver” when the lights go off.

1. Keep Your Cell Phone Charged

The most important thing to do is to make sure that your cell phone has power. If you have a car charger, it’s a good idea to use that to keep it on. Even if you manage to catch someone breaking and entering, it’s always better to simply call the cops than to confront them on your own.

2. Flashlight

Not only is a flashlight a good idea for obvious reasons, but it can also be used to identify others in your home as well, since the light projecting outwards always illuminates a little bit of the person holding it. Even if you suspect that a burglar has entered your home, the flashlight would be the quickest way to discern whether it wasn’t just anyone else in your home.

3. Remember the 2nd amendment

Whenever there’s a blackout, the 2nd amendment is your best friend. Now I’m not saying to sit in the corner of your house with a gun and start shooting whenever you hear something move, but to use it mainly as a preventative tool. What I mean by this is to keep a gun (preferably unloaded, since a lot of states will still charge you if you shoot an innocent person in your own home) that you can use to discourage a burglar from continuing. When used in conjunction with a flashlight, all the burglar will see is a light and a handgun, which is usually enough to get them to back out.

4. Use sound

Even when the lights are on, sound is a more useful sense than sight. Propping up things that will fall down if a door is opened or placing cans on the ground will serve as a homemade alarm system, possibly even deterring a burglar once he knows that you’ve been alerted.

5. Reinforce your home

This depends on how long the blackout has been, or how long the surrounding anarchy has had to gain momentum. If you live in an area that is becoming increasingly volatile, in this case it’s better to simply take a zombie attack stance and fortify key areas of your home. If you’re like most normal people, and don’t have planks of plywood lying around your home, simply put a heavy object such as a dresser or tool box behind doors or windows. If you don’t have enough objects to secure your entire house, you can always fortify one area and then lock the doors leading to the vulnerable areas.

What You Need to Know About Spy Cameras

Admin — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 20:27:24 +0000

In the past spy cameras and spy equipment were only used by law enforcement and private investigators, but today a wide selection of spy cameras are available to consumers.

One can not help to think of 007 when spy cameras come to mind. Moreover, in the past, spy cameras were only accessible to private investigators and specialized law enforcement agencies such as the FBI. Today, that picture has changed completely and spy cameras are now accessible to the general public as well.

There is a plethora of uses for spy cameras and the possibilities are endless. Innovative ways to catch a deceiving partner, lazy employees, a sadistic personal nurse or nanny, or obtaining verification on your children’s mischievous behavior when you are not around is possible with clever spy cameras. It can also effectively be utilized to keep a close eye on employees, children, disabled, and or elderly loved ones.

You can find them in various unpredicted and astonishing forms such as sunglasses, clocks, fire sprinklers, pens or tiny motion detector equipped cameras, hidden in some beyond belief objects in your home.

What is more is t hat you can incorporate spy cameras into your existing security surveillance system. With the use of spy cameras you are given the opportunity to obtain evidence you need in a clandestine way without anyone noticing or knowing, evidence you would not be able to obtain with normal camera surveillance.

During a burglary, chances are slim that the authorities will be able to bring the culprit to book. Many times burglars use malicious methods to deactivate the apparent security cameras. With spy cameras, you have the advantage that the burglar will not know where the spy camera is hidden and you can provide the police with positive identification.

Clearly, spy cameras are commonly tiny devices that are concealed inside or at the back of average usual household items or furniture or office furniture and equipment. These possibilities are incalculable, however, it is important to keep in mind before you buy a spy camera, where you will place it and how the device will be powered. Most spy cameras are battery powered, and have limited resources depending on the capturing method. In addition, keep in mind in what way the footage will be stored and do you need to make use of an external or internal device.

With spy cameras at your disposal, you do not need 007 to solve those uncomfortable issues on your behalf. Now you need only to actually believe what you see for yourself.

Security cameras are one of the best ways to offer home security and security for your business. If you already have a good security system, you have taken the first step and a good camera can be the finishing touch.

72 hour emergency kit- a must for survival

Admin — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 04:11:25 +0000

Problematic situations never give a warning before approaching. These situations can be flood, fire, tornado, hurricane, flood, earthquake or any other form. What one can do at the time of such miss happenings? So it is very essential to have a 72 hour emergency survival kit that will help one along with his family at the time of such disasters. Now it is possible to fetch some few basics necessities with minimum trouble and expenses that will help to ease some stress at the time of tragedy. 72 hour emergency survival kit will provide help to one and his family. At the time of disaster all the help provided by assistant organization such as hospitals, Red Cross, military, medical etc will be available but after some time, so one must have emergency survival kit that can be used at that time.

Ideal needs

Food and water- In survival kit one must store packed foods because it comes with the long lasting expiry dates. The food included must be enriched in the proteins, fats, carbohydrates and vitamins etc. one can have foods like granola bars, dried fruits, trail mix, cereals, crackers, canned beans, turkey, tuna, Vienna. One can also include some fluids such as canned juice, alcohol as per requirement. 1 gallon of water for one person and multiply it according to the number of members present in the family.

Radio- Emergency broadcast and some local station will be the only source of information at the time of disasters. So, one must include radio with extra set of batteries.

Flashlight- Flash lights must be included as these are also very important. Always carry extra set of batteries.

Plastic bags- These can also be used to carry many things and can serve the purpose of garbage container, tents, clothes etc.

Cooking utensils- One must include utensils that will help in cooking, eating and storage of water, food stuffs etc. Regular needs- like soap, towel and tissue paper must be included.

First aid kit- First aid kit is of vital importance at the time of miss happenings. Include medicines, bandage etc that will help one to survive during need.

Other necessities Include fire extinguisher, can opener, knife that will help one in many situations.

Bedding and clothing’s- One must store clothes like jeans, jackets, socks, shirts, undergarments, blankets, plastic sheet, cloth sheet and emergency heat blankets.

Money and documents- Include copies of main documents like birth certificates, passport, contracts, vaccination papers, genealogy records, insurance policies cash and credit cards for use.

Warnings

1- One must update his 72 hours emergency survival kits after every six months to ensure that the stored food, medication and water is good and not expired, credit cards and documents are up to date and batteries are safe or charged.

2- Some games and toys are very important because they provide entertainment and comfort during stressful time.

3- Seal important things in water proof bags.

Summary

72 hour emergency survival kit is very important because it provides help at the time of disasters or some severe miss happenings. It constitutes of things that are vital for life.

Survival kits to safeguard people on wilderness trips

Admin — Sat, 27 Nov 2010 04:17:26 +0000

If one is planning for the long adventurous trip in wilderness, then one must always be prepared for the unexpected. Preparation means to have some survival items but one must identify how to use them. For example people living in the snowy regions maintain their vehicles in a way that they can perform properly even in the worst weather conditions. They put flurry tires on vehicles, carry shovel and adds more load in the rear of traction. This is how they prepare themselves to live in the snowy regions. In similar fashion these wilderness survival kits will also help people in the situations of disaster or miss happenings during the adventurous trips. This endurance kit provides help in several ways.

The important key to endurance is preparation. One must always be prepared so as to protect himself from any kind of danger situation.

Prepare yourself

The type of area an individual is going to explore will firstly bestow clues to the items that one will need to enclose in wilderness survival kits. If one plan to spend some time in high country over the timberline, so safety from the wind and sun is very necessary. One should include light jackets in his luggage that will help in the protection from the wind and sun too. Wilderness survival kits should be petite so that it can be carried with no burden. So have only those items that are very essential for the survival at the time of emergency. Basically the environment lets one to select types of items or things to be included in the survival kit. Always level the survival kit by keeping the significant things on body.

While preparing the kit always select those items that can be used for more than one purpose. If one is having two items that serve the same function then it’s better to have one out of them. Never replicate your items because this will increase the weight and size of endurance kit. One must not intricate his survival kit. Only carry those functional items that will help one to meet his needs and one small bag to clutch those items. One must also use first aid case, band aid box or an aluminum pouch. The case selected by one should be water proof or water repellent. It must be trouble-free to carry, accept suitable components; at last it must be very durable.

In endurance kits one should include some vital things like first aid items, equipment to start fire, signaling items, items for food procurement, and shelter items. These listed items are very vital that must to be included in the kit. Some of the examples of above listed items are lighter, waterproof matches, metal match, signaling mirror, snare wire, wrist compass, snare line and fish, fishhooks, hand lens, tablets for water purification, ox tetracycline tablets that will help to avoid infections or diarrhea, surgical blades, solar blankets, chap sticks, thread and needle and most importantly knife.

Summary

Wilderness survival kit helps one at the time of sudden miss happenings when one plans for wilderness voyage. If one is well prepared only then he will be safe from all dangers.

With each passing day world seems to be growing more and more dangerous. There are many unexpected situations that may take place and one has to be prepared to keep himself alive during such situations. At the time of such disasters or miss happenings one may need survival kits.

Good Samaritan experience results in a new iphone Utility

Admin — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 22:29:06 +0000

A personal “Good Samaritan” experience results in a new iphone Utility Application that is great for the security and safety minded.

When individuals decide that they can make a difference, and use their interests, passions and time for good, some pretty interesting things happen. In June of 2010 Jeff Eagle had come to the aid of an elderly man wandering and lost in a Campbell, California city park. This elder gentleman had Alzheimer’s, had no idea how to get home, and needed attention from authorities. While this situation was not technically an emergency it was urgent, and Mr. Eagle became frustrated at the events that inspired from what he felt should have been a simple 30 second phone call to local police.

Using his smart phone Jeff searched for the local (non-emergency) phone listing for the police. No lucky there. Next Jeff remembered 311 and dialed assuming he would directly connected to the Campbell Police department. Instead Jeff was connected with San Francisco law enforcement personnel (50 miles away). For a phone transfer to the Campbell police to happen Mr. Eagle was required to listen to a legal disclaimer statement and then he was transferred. In total the time to connect this seemingly simple call was 12-15 minute.

After this park adventure Jeff kept thinking that while mobile phone technology allows for quick access, there are times when the connections are not convenient and can be inefficient, cumbersome, and frustratingly slow. With the advent of smart phones and built in GPS technology anyone could have the nation’s police department at their fingertips with quick and easy access. And so Police Anywhere was born.

Police anywhere detects the user’s current location automatically and displays local law enforcement information. Police anywhere works with wifi and cell networks, requires internet for the auto-locate, and has law enforcement phone numbers for the entire United States.

This application has seemed to hit a nerve with neighborhood associations, parents of college bound kids, and just the safety and security conscious. This application is worth checking out.

www.policeanywhereapp.com

Remember, child safety is something to not take lightly. Making a smart choice now can possibly help to save your child or other loved one’s life should he or she go missing.

YOUR SECURITY’S INSURANCE POLICY

Admin — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 18:48:59 +0000

Fate can strike at any time; So, insurance is your safeguard against loss, damage or physical injury. And, buying insurance is just good common sense, as insurance protects against the unknown risks. Such incidents , from a simple traffic accident, a rare occurrence to your home or office burning to the ground, could basically be irreversible.

So, what about your companies security insurance policy, that being a written Security Plan? Do you have such a structured security plan? Well, just as your various insurance policies are important, a written security plan is a must. In times past, an agreement. between two individuals, simply meant a friendly “hand shake”. However, times have surely changed.

Speaking from many years experience, in the security/safety field, the security plan will be the first document of evidence requested, in any legal action against the companies security department.

The security program is an essential element in the company’s daily operation and a vital part of every employees job. Good security programs pay off in the overall risk management from the individual safety of employees and customers to the bottom line profit. And it is this profit that basically keeps the employees working.

Most local, state and federal compliance agencies only provide minimum standards, as a guide to the enforcement of the various corporate security plans. To be effect, and stand the course of time and legal desecration, a corporate security policy should go far beyond the governmental authorizes minimum standards. For instance, take the federal Bank Protection Act (BPA), listed below.

The purpose of the Bank Protection Act of 1968 (BPA) is to discourage robberies, burglaries and larcenies committed against financial institutions. The BPA requires the Federal financial institution supervisory agencies to establish minimum standards for the installation, maintenance, and operation of security devices and procedures to discourage these crimes, and to assist in the identification and apprehension of persons who commit them. The regulations, substantially revised in 1991, contain several requirements for savings

associations.

The corporate security philosophy should be clearly defined by assigning the security duties and responsibility, to all employees. The plan should start with precise but workable Objective, as follows:

OBJECTIVE

It is this company’s objective to concentrate on having a “proactive” rather than a “reactive’ security policy.

1. To provide workable standards to executives, security personnel and other employees, to establish and administer procedures to protect personnel, customers and assets.

2. To provide continuous information regarding managements philosophy of security which is intended to create an attitude of preparedness and concern.

3. To Provide continuous information and training, with respect to the various security policies.

4. To standardize security policy practices and procedures throughout the organization.

POLICY DIVISION

The policy should have three main divisions, 1 Administration, 2) Physical Security and 3) Investigations. The Administration division should include the administration duties, executive protection and disaster control. The Physical Security division should include the maintenance of surveillance cameras, alarms and card access systems, as well as the security control console. The Physical Security division should also include the uniform guard maintenance. The Investigations division should include investigating all types of fraud including white collar theft, employee and customer theft and all other fraud against the company.

HELPFUL TIPS

As mentioned before hand, it is very important to have all phases of the company employees actively involved with security. Here as just a few suggestions.

Consider a “Lessons Learned” program. This program should be a written evaluation of all major crimes, against the company. And the evaluation should be distributed to all department managers, to be discuss in the routine departments staff meetings.
Consider an employee monthly “security news bulletin” listing various security tips for work, travel and home. The bulletin could include a “security employee” of the month.
Consider a “security tip line” available to all employees to telephone security tips.
Consider monthly management ” birds of a feather” meetings to discuss the “pro’s and con’s, of the ongoing security program.
Consider including a “security overview: with the regular Human Resources “new employee” orientation.

PLAN REVISION

The, the most important phase of the company security insurance policy, the “written Security Plan”, is ensuring that the plan is reviewed annually, or as needed, in order to keep up with the ever changing security trends.

If you have never had a written security plan, or if your plan has not been update recently, it’s time to review the plan and make the necessary corrections, to bring the plan up to the 21st century. Remember, a company is only secure because of an ethical workable “Security Plan”. Don’t wait till the night before that crucial court appearance too scramble through a make-shift plan. Good luck.!

FOR ASSISTANCE WITH YOUR COMPANY SECURITY NEEDS, PLEASE CONTACT CHARLES ROBEY AT ccrobey@charter.net

Home security is something to not take lightly, especially given today’s faltering and unstable economy.

Smoke Detectors. Every 83 seconds a residential fire breaks

Admin — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 00:55:59 +0000

Every 83 seconds a residential fire breaks out in the United States. Each year, residential fires injure over 39,000 American children under the age of 14. In two-thirds of these homes, the smoke detector either doesn’t work or doesn’t exist.

Statistics show that installing a smoke detector saves lives. According to the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), “Homes with a smoke detector typically have a death rate that is 40 to 50 percent less than the rate for homes without a smoke detector.”

The NFPA sets the rules and regulations pertaining to residential smoke detectors, but most people aren’t aware of these policies. The NFPA also provides the public with information on smoke detector maintenance and when you should replace them.

Regulations for Smoke Detectors

Because a smoke detector is usually hardwired into the electrical systems of many older homes, retrofitting these residences with a new smoke detector is often difficult. But, upgrading your smoke detector is essential to ensuring you and your family are safe if a fire ever breaks out in your home.

Below are the NFPA smoke detector regulations for existing homes.

Place a smoke detector, loud enough to hear through a closed door, outside each bedroom.
Install at least one smoke detector on each level of the home.
A smoke detector powered by the home’s electrical system must have battery-powered backup.
All smoke detectors on each floor must be interconnected.

According to NFPA regulations, an additional smoke detector must be located in each sleeping area

Replacing and Maintaining Your Smoke Detector

“Simple steps like maintaining smoke detectors and replacing older ones help diminish the possibility of fire deaths in the home,” says John R. Hall, Jr., NFPA’s assistant vice president for fire analysis and research. The rules of thumb are to replace a smoke detector every 10 years and when you move into a new residence.

A smoke detector is a crucial fire-safety tool, but installing and replacing it is only half the battle. Proper maintenance is also necessary. Performing the following tasks makes it easy to keep your smoke detector in good working condition.

Perform a monthly check by pressing the test button on your smoke detector.
Replace batteries annually and when the smoke detector begins to emit the low-battery warning beep.
Clean your smoke detector weekly by a vacuuming any accumulated dust or dander, and wipe it down monthly with a damp rag.
Install long-lasting batteries into all smoke detectors.

Smoke detector maintenance is neither difficult nor time consuming, but it is imperative to ensure proper function.