Archive for August, 2009

How to Make Your Home the Safe Haven it is Meant to Be

Imagine Martha Dwyer’s shock and dismay when she returned from a holiday in the Bahamas to find her home broken into from the back door. Not one to take chances, she had done her homework and recently got a brand new exterior steel door with enhanced security features installed before leaving the country.

Mrs. Dwyer called me at home, and I sent our technician right out to see how we could help. When he arrived, he was amazed to see that the decorative, triple-pane glass panels, locking mechanism and strike plate on the door were still in tact.

Those burglars must have hit the door with a jackhammer, because the steel door itself was actually caved in. Because the door’s structure was still in tact, the technician was able to get the door back in place and locking until we could get a replacement steel entry door installed. Mind you, it wasn’t pretty–but it was safe and secure.

The moral of the story?

You can’t prevent every break-in. While Mrs. Dwyer’s back door did not deter this burglar, it did manage to give the burglar sufficient resistance; enough for the police to consider the possibility that it may not have been a typical burglary.

Fact is while we spend so much on aesthetics, we spare very little thought on making our homes the safe haven that they are meant to be. The result? An opportunistic intruder can leave us feeling deeply violated and helpless. Especially when people already have a heightened sense of insecurity during an economic downturn.

According to the FBI, every 15.4 seconds there is a burglary in the United States. Their Annual Crime Report for 2008 shows that burglaries are up by as much as 3.3% in many areas. In a recent NPR news story, Professor David Kennedy, director of the Center for Crime Prevention at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, indicates that crime has become such a local phenomenon in recent years that the onus for prevention has shifted from the national to the local, community, or individual level.

There are two ways to enter the home; through the windows and doors (front entry, back doors and garage doors). Fortunately, with the right features on your exterior doors, these entry points could also be made the most secure. If gaining access requires too much effort, time or tools, most burglars will to look for an easier target in the neighborhood.

To deter would-be burglars, make sure your exterior doors have the features recommended by the Burglary Prevention Council. Here are some of them:

Use a solid core, metal or fiberglass door for all entrances
Hollow doors are too easy to kick in.

Get solid wood or steel frames, and make sure the door fits properly
Gaps make it easier to remove the door from its frame.

Make sure the door has a quality, heavy-duty lock set
Look for a deadbolt with a 1″ throw, instead of the common 3/4″. That extra 1/4″ extension into the door jamb makes it much harder for a burglar to dislodge the lock from the door frame.

And get added security protection on both the door and the frame
Instead of the average wood panel, look for a lock with a 20-gauge steel reinforced strike plate with 3″ long screws that is almost impenetrable. It takes a lot more than a swift kick to splinter a door jamb that has been reinforced.

Choose secure glass panels
Burglars can smash decorative door windows and art glass panels to gain access to your home. If you do have sidelites and art glass panels on your doors, make sure they are made with triple-pane, impact resistant and tempered glass. They will still look beautiful, and they are much more secure.

In just a few minutes, Mrs. Dwyer lost a few possessions, but she wasn’t robbed of her peace of mind. She’s replacing the old door with the same, secure steel door. Make sure your exterior entry doors are the most secure for you and your family so you can sleep soundly, too.

Gerry Rogers is the founder and president of Mr. Rogers Windows in North Carolina and Virginia. He has been selling and installing home improvement products for over 20 years.

Gerry has earned the trust of thousands of clients by “doing the right thing” to ensure complete satisfaction when it comes to quality products and installation.

Nationally recognized for his innovative Lifetime Performance Guarantee, Mr. Rogers continues his 100% parts and labor promise where others default to the manufacturer.

You’ll find replacement windows, entry door systems, French doors, patio doors and storm doors in many styles that meet federal energy standards at Mr. Rogers Windows. Visit http://www.mrrogerswindows.com for more information.

Discover a wide selection of energy-efficient, maintenance-free windows and doors, all backed by a lifetime guarantee.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/home-security-articles/how-to-make-your-home-the-safe-haven-it-is-meant-to-be-1164756.html

Looking For a Free Reverse Cell Phone Lookup Directory is a Waste of Time

Are you looking for a free reverse cell phone directory? Hundreds of searches are done on a daily basis for the term free reverse cell phone lookup. Unfortunately, no free directory exists. You can stop searching now and save yourself the time and trouble. And, even if you do find a service that says it offers a free reverse cell phone lookup, you will get some basic information, and then taken to an order page to obtain the full report.

Get Best Reverse Phone Number Trace Service

So, why isn’t there a free reverse cell number directory? It all comes down to privacy issues. Home phone numbers are considered public information so that is why they are published in the yellow pages without your permission. You have to specifically ask and sometimes even pay to not have your number listed. Cell phone numbers, however, are considered private information. It is considered illegal to publish this information publicly and also the same reason why telemarketers are not allowed to call your mobile phone.

The good news is there are legitimate companies online that provide paid reverse cell lookup services. Some of them also include information for landline and unlisted landline numbers as well. These companies compile their databases from various sources and charge you a small fee for access to the information. A good service usually has millions of searchable records. A full phone report will contain the phone owner’s name, address, household members, phone carrier, possible neighbors and relatives, issuing location, other phone numbers belonging to the owner, as well as previous addresses.

There could be many reasons you want to conduct a reverse phone search, whether it’s find the source of a harassing caller, a missed call, or, sadly, in my case, a cheating boyfriend.

Get Best Reverse Phone Number Trace Service

 

Best Reverse Phone Number Trace Service

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/home-security-articles/looking-for-a-free-reverse-cell-phone-lookup-directory-is-a-waste-of-time-1151370.html

Dog Spray vs. Human Pepper Spray

What is the difference between dog spray or dog mace and the human version? Which is stronger and can dog spray be used on humans and vice versa. Dog pepper spray or Muzzle canine repellent is not as strong as human pepper spray. It doesn’t have to be; a dog’s senses (sight, smell) are much more sensitive than ours are. As a result, it takes much less OC pepper spray resin to obtain the desired effect.

The amount of pepper resin in dog spray is typically less than half that of the industry standard human pepper spray. Human pepper spray is generally rated in Scoville Heat Units (SHU), the industry standard for human spray is about 2 million SHU.

I do not recommend the use of dog spray on humans. It would be a much better idea to purchase human pepper spray, then use it for self defense against both. Let me give you an example that hopefully explains why.

My wife and I like to walk or ride bikes around the neighborhood; sometimes this can be extremely difficult because two territorial dogs don’t like us passing in front of their home. I hear this scenario numerous times each day. Of course dog spray is effective against those two aggressive canines. What many people forget is that they are more likely to have problems with people than they are with dogs. You can increase that if walking or jogging after dark and your risk becomes higher if you are alone.

Why not choose a good human pepper spray that can protect you against both forms of attack? Will the people spray harm the dogs permanently or long term? No, pepper spray or mace are non-lethal self defense products. They will not cause any long term injury to people or animals.

The benefit of using a good spray are numerous. First, the effects are almost instant. Range, dependent on model is between 8-16 feet giving you the ability to stop a threat at a distance. The effects last long enough to get you and your family to safety. Pepper spray has a temporary effect that will ware off in about 30 minutes. Finally, it is legal in all states (a few such as NY, MA have restrictions) so you are within the law to use for self defense.

All of our defense sprays are made in the United States. The contents are listed on the canister and the expiration date or self life prominently displayed. Our sprays are extensively tested, they are fresh, and proven effective. Be cautious of pepper spray made over seas or if the expiration date or self life are not listed. We define our sprays in categories like good, better, and best.

PepperShot is a very good quality brand. It is available in 1/2 ounce keychain units as well as 2 and 4 ounce spray. PepperShot has a 2,000,000 SHU rating at a 10% pepper resin concentration. The self life is 36 months. Wildfire would be the better brand. It is an 18% spray with a 3 million SHU rating. You can purchase Wildfire in a variety of sizes from keychain all the way up to one pound. Fox 5.3 formula is the best and most effective on the market. It is an amazing 2% pepper resin and rated at 5.3 million SHU. Fox is the industry leader that law enforcement chooses more than any other brand.

Bryan Buckner is a top self defense & surveillance consultant and business owner. He opened Guardian Self Defense & Security Products LLC in 2005. Since that time Guardian has successfully helped over 22,000 (and counting) people and small businesses improve their security situation. Proud members of the South Louisiana Better Business Bureau.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/home-security-articles/dog-spray-vs-human-pepper-spray-1138428.html

Pepper Spray, Mace Patterns

What should you look for in a pepper spray or mace defense spray? This is a question we get many times a day and its a very good one. The truth is the best pepper spray for me may not be the best for you. There a numerous factors to consider. It is important to get the best pepper spray product for you. Over the next week or so we will post a series of blogs to help you better understand and utilize the most effective non-lethal self defense product available.

One important thing to consider is the spray pattern.

  • A stream spray pattern comes out in a straight line. Typically, you can expect the greatest range from a stream pepper spray. You are also much less likely to encounter “blow back” when using a stream spray. “Blow back” can occur when spraying directly into a stiff wind, the wind can blow some of the oc pepper solution backward causing the user to become contaminated. A drawback of stream sprays is that the user needs to be accurate for the product to be effective. Aim for eyes, nose, mouth – practice is essential before utilizing a stream. It’s not difficult, you just need to spend a few minutes outside with a practice container. Become familiar with the safety device; then practice pointing, aiming and firing.

    A fog spray pattern discharges in a “funnel or cone”. A fogger is excellent for dealing with multiple attackers, or crowd control type situations. With a fog you typically lose a little distance and you must be aware of potential “blow back”. Practice is certainly encouraged, but accuracy is not an issue with the fog, so if you spray in the intended direction the effects will be felt by everyone in the path.

    Gels and foams have become very popular, largely due to their localized effect, meaning the risk of unintentional or cross contamination is much less likely. The gels and foams are sticky and very difficult to remove, thus the oc pepper spray sits in the facial area much longer and the effects tend last longer and be of greater intensity. You will also find that gels and foams spray up to 25 feet which is about 8 to 10 feet more range, opposed to traditional sprays. These are ideal to use in your home, apartment, small business, or anywhere indoors.

    In the next post we will discuss the effects of pepper spray, Mace and tear gas.

Bryan Buckner is a top self defense & surveillance consultant and business owner. He opened Guardian Self Defense & Security Products LLC in 2005. Since that time Guardian has successfully helped over 19,000 (and counting) people and small businesses improve their security situation. Proud members of the South Louisiana Better Business Bureau.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/home-security-articles/pepper-spray-mace-patterns-1129584.html

Home Security- Motion Activated Lighting

If you are looking to ensure the safety of your home, it is crucial to have reliable motion sensors around your property. Even a simple motion activated lighting that illuminate whenever movement is detected with a selected range, this can considerably deter the plans of a would-be intruder. Outdoor sensor lighting is a natural intruder deterrent. This is one of the biggest reasons that people decide to install motion sensor lights. Burglars do not like to come to a home that is well lit, or one that becomes lit when they approach it. Motion detector lights are one of the best ways to provide safety and security to your family without investing in an alarm system.

Not only that, but such motion sensor based lighting can also be extremely beneficial to your own personal safety and convenience. When returning home late at night, or perhaps simply walking outside your home after dark, automatic lights can greatly enhance both your safety and comfort. We offer a number of motion sensors lighting systems that can be used for general or specific applications, or as an integral aspect of your home security system.

It’s always a good idea to add safety features such as exterior, motion-activated lights to your home, and this battery-powered security light is a smart and convenient option. The motion of someone walking up to your door automatically turns on this bright 5-LED wireless security light, and keeps it on for 12 seconds. And since this Motion Activated Security Light is battery-operated, it will work even when electricity fails.

Motion sensor lights are energy efficient. If typical outdoor fixtures are left on all night every night, you will notice a difference in your electric bill. With motion sensor outdoor lighting, however, there is only a small or even unnoticeable increase in your electricity bill because the light fixture is mostly off. So, not only do you get added security, you also get cost savings!

Motion detector lights can be decorative as well as functional. Many of the first fixtures were not very decorative, but now there are many different styles, sizes, and colors available that are designed to compliment different homes. For most of the fixtures, there is no way to tell if they are “regular” or sensor.

Mount this wireless motion activated light anywhere you need the security of a light, even if there’s no electrical source nearby: on the garage, on a porch, by a shed entrance, or over the outdoor steps. You can even use this battery-powered security light indoors in infrequently-used locations, such as the attic or an unlit storage closet.

Motion sensor lights can be customized and programmed. To learn more about different settings of motion sensor outdoor lights, visit this website: http://www.security2020.com

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/home-security-articles/home-security-motion-activated-lighting-1126365.html

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