No one wants to be a victim of crime. No one wants crime to occur in his or her home or communities. Crime can be A home burglary, street violence, store robberies, identity theft or cyberbullying. The best way to stop crime Is to prevent it in the first place. Many steps can be made on individual and community levels to deter crime.
The best place to start is at home. Intruders enter through unlocked windows and doors in six out of 10 home robberies. This tells us that the first steps to take are to make sure that all windows and doors are locked. Get Good sturdy locks and make sure that you don’t leave your spare keys under the mat, under a flowerpot or on the door ledge. Leave it with a trusted neighbor or in a key hider diversion safe. They come in many disguises such as rocks, thermometers, garden ornaments and sprinklers. You can also secure your property with Surveillance cameras. There are dummy or fake cameras that are very inexpensive and look just like expensive hi tech surveillance systems. Intruders prefer easier targets and will go elsewhere. Alarms are a great defense for two reasons: a loud alarm can scare away an intruder and it will alert anyone in the home that someone was trying to break in. You can have professional alarm companies that will monitor all intrusions. There is also a large variety of inexpensive alarms that you can easily install yourself.
Neighborhood watch programs are great devices in deterring crime. The National Crime Prevention Council is offering incentives to communities that register Celebrate Safe Communities events for Crime Prevention Month. The following video is well worth watching — it has loads of great ideas for helping you to prevent crime and to keep your family, your home and your community safe and sound.
Going off to college should be an exciting, fun and educational time for all students, both freshmen and upperclassmen. It should not and need not be ruined by unfortunate experiences ranging from burglary to rape. Students should be aware of their surroundings and know how to handle themselves on the street, on the campus, in their cars and in their dorms. Danger lurks everywhere. Women, especially need to know how to take care of themselves at a party or on a date. Being aware of risks can be the first step in keeping safe.
BASIC SAFETY TIPS
1.) Be aware of your surroundings. Familiarize yourself with the campus and local areas. Find a good map and study it well. Know where there are well lit routes back to your dorm.
Have emergency phone numbers available on your cell phone.
2.) Don’t go out alone at night. Use the buddy system. Keep a flashlight with you. Let a friend know where you are and when you are expected to return. Don’t use the ATM at night. Leave your jogging for the daylight hours unless you are with a group.
3.) If you are going out with someone you don’t know well be sure to let a good friend know with whom you are and where you will be going. Always carry a personal alarm with you. It will come in very handy if you need to attract attention. Always have your cell phone and money for taxi fare.
4.) Don’t leave online messages that will tell the world where you are going to be and what you are going to be doing.
5.) Be safe from so-called date rape. Do not drink anything unless you see it being prepared in front of you. Do not leave your drink on the table while you are on the dance floor or ladies room. Finish your drink first or do not drink it at all. Never accept a drink from someone whom you hardly know or trust. This s extremely important. Again, I repeat, do not drink anything unless you watch it being mixed or see the bottle opened. (I cannot repeat this enough times.) Never leave your drink unattended. If, by chance you do, then do NOT drink it.
6.) Always lock the door to your room and never loan your key to anyone. Keys are very easy to copy.
7.) When you are jogging or walking do not use headphones that leave you unable to hear what is going on around you. You need to be aware of your surroundings and what is going on in the vicinity.
8.) Always lock your doors and windows at night. Use a wedge door stop to prevent it from opening.
10.) Always have your keys (for your dorm or your car) ready in your hand so that you don’t have to stop and dig through your purse or pocket making your vulnerable for an attack.
11.) Don’t leave valuable articles or papers around where anyone can pick them up. Take some precautions such as keeping important items in a diversion safe.
12.) I know of more than one case where a young woman was able to discourage an attacker by using a red pepper spray. Do consider carrying a pepper spray in your pocket or purse. A few whiffs of spray can disable an assailant long enough for you to get away and call 911 for help.
The following video, Be Aware of the Risks of Date Rape Drugs is an important one. All women should see this and pay special attention to the 10 tips shown at the end of the video.
Summer is a wonderful time of the year and we all look forward to it with great anticipation. We think of fun things such as swimming, hiking, vacations and all sorts of outdoor activities but there are dangers out there just waiting for us if we are not careful. Children especially are at risk. We have to take special care with children to make sure that they have a wonderful and safe and sound summer. The American Academy of Pediatrics has published some tips for summer safety which should be read by all parents and guardians.
Keep your family safe this summer by following these tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Please feel free to use them in any print or broadcast story with appropriate attribution of source.
* The two main recommendations from the AAP to prevent sunburn are to avoid sun exposure, and dress infants in lightweight long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and brimmed hats that shade the neck to prevent sunburn. However when adequate clothing and shade are not available, parents can apply a minimal amount of suncreen with at least 15 SPF (sun protection factor) to small areas, such as the infant’s face and the back of the hands. If an infant gets sunburn, apply cold compresses to the affected area.
For All Other Children:
* The first, and best, line of defense against the sun is covering up. Wear a hat with a three-inch brim or a bill facing forward, sunglasses (look for sunglasses that block 99-100% of ultraviolet rays), and cotton clothing with a tight weave.
* Stay in the shade whenever possible, and limit sun exposure during the peak intensity hours – between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
* On both sunny and cloudy days use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or greater that protects against UVB and UVA rays.
* Be sure to apply enough sunscreen – about one ounce per sitting for a young adult.
* Reapply sunscreen every two hours, or after swimming or sweating.
* Use extra caution near water and sand (and even snow!) as they reflect UV rays and may result in sunburn more quickly.
* The intensity of activities that last 15 minutes or more should be reduced whenever high heat and humidity reach critical levels.
* At the beginning of a strenuous exercise program or after traveling to a warmer climate, the intensity and duration of exercise should be limited initially and then gradually increased during a period of 10 to 14 days to accomplish acclimatization to the heat.
* Before prolonged physical activity, the child should be well-hydrated. During the activity, periodic drinking should be enforced, for example, each 20 minutes, 5 oz of cold tap water or a flavored sports drink for a child weighing 90 lbs, and 9 oz for an adolescent weighing 130 lbs, even if the child does not feel thirsty.
* Clothing should be light-colored and lightweight and limited to one layer of absorbent material to facilitate evaporation of sweat. Sweat-saturated shirts should be replaced by dry clothing.
* Practices and games played in the heat should be shortened and more frequent water/hydration breaks should be instituted.
* Install a fence at least four-feet high around all four sides of the pool. The fence should not have openings or protrusions that a young child could use to get over, under, or through.
* Make sure pool gates open out from the pool, and self-close and self-latch at a height children can’t reach.
* If the house serves as the fourth side of a fence surrounding a pool, install an alarm on the exit door to the yard and the pool.
* Never leave children alone in or near the pool or spa, even for a moment.
* Keep rescue equipment (a shepherd’s hook – a long pole with a hook on the end – and life preserver) and a portable telephone near the pool. Choose a shepherd’s hook and other rescue equipment made of fiberglass or other materials that do not conduct electricity.
* Avoid inflatable swimming aids such as “floaties.” They are not a substitute for approved life vests and can give children a false sense of security.
* Children age 4 and older should be taught to swim. Parents may choose to start swimming lessons before age 4 if their children are developmentally ready, but swim programs should never be seen as “drown proofing” a child of any age.
* Whenever infants or toddlers are in or around water, an adult should be within arm’s length, providing “touch supervision.”
* Avoid Entrapment: Suction from pool and spa drains can trap an adult underwater. Do not use a pool or spa if there are broken or missing drain covers. Ask your pool operator if your pool or spa’s drains are compliant with the Pool and Spa Safety Act.
* Large inflatable above-ground pools have become increasingly popular for backyard use. Children may fall in if they lean against the soft side of an inflatable pool. Although such pools are often exempt from local pool fencing requirements, it is essential that they be surrounded by an appropriate fence just as a permanent pool would be so that children cannot gain unsupervised access.
BUG SAFETY
* Don’t use scented soaps, perfumes or hair sprays on your child.
* Avoid areas where insects nest or congregate, such as stagnant pools of water, uncovered foods and gardens where flowers are in bloom.
* Avoid dressing your child in clothing with bright colors or flowery prints.
* To remove a visible stinger from skin, gently back it out by scraping it off horizontally with a credit card or your fingernail.
* Combination sunscreen/insect repellent products should be avoided because sunscreen needs to be reapplied every two hours, but the insect repellent should not be reapplied.
* Use insect repellents containing DEET when need to prevent insect related diseases such as ticks which can transmit Lyme Disease, and mosquitoes which can transmit West Nile Virus and other viruses.
* The current CDC and AAP recommendation for children over 2 months of age is to use 10- 30 percent DEET. DEET should not be used on children under 2 months of age.
* The effectiveness is similar for 10-30% DEET but the duration of effect varies. Ten percent DEET provides protection for about 2 hours – 30% for about 5 hours – choose the lowest concentration that will provide required length of coverage.
* The concentration of DEET varies significantly from product to product, so read the label of any product you purchase. Children should wash off repellents when back indoors.
* As an alternative to DEET, Picaridin has become available in the U.S. in concentrations of 5-10%.
The playground should have safety-tested mats or loose-fill materials (shredded rubber, sand, wood chips, or bark) maintained to a depth of at least 9 inches. The protective surface should be installed at least 6 feet (more for swings and slides) in all directions from the equipment.
* Equipment should be carefully maintained. Open “s” hooks or protruding bolt ends can be hazardous.
* Swing seats should be made of soft materials such as rubber, plastic or canvas.
* Make sure children cannot reach any moving parts that might pinch or trap any body part.
* Never attach—or allow children to attach—ropes, jump ropes, leashes, or similar items to play equipment; children can strangle on these.
* Make sure metal slides are cool to prevent children’s legs from getting burned.
* Do not allow children to play barefoot on the playground.
* Parents should never purchase a home trampoline or allow children to use home trampolines.
* Parents should supervise children on play equipment to make sure they are safe.
* Do not push your child to ride a 2-wheeled bike until he or she is ready, at about age 5 or 6. Consider the child’s coordination and desire to learn to ride. Stick with coaster (foot) brakes until your child is older and more experienced for hand brakes.
* Take your child with you when you shop for the bike, so that he or she can try it out. The value of a properly fitting bike far outweighs the value of surprising your child with a new one. For more information on finding the proper fit, go to http://www.aap.org/family/bicycle.htm#choosing
* Buy a bike that is the right size, not one your child has to “grow into.” Oversized bikes are especially dangerous.
* Your child needs to wear a helmet on every bike ride, no matter how short or how close to home. Many accidents happen in driveways, on sidewalks, and on bike paths, not just on streets. Children learn best by observing you. Set the example: Whenever you ride, put on your helmet.
* When purchasing a helmet, look for a label or sticker that says the helmet meets the CPSC safety standard.
* A helmet protects your child from serious injury, and should always be worn. And remember, wearing a helmet at all times helps children develop the helmet habit.
* A helmet should be worn so that it is level on the head, not tipped forwards or backwards. The strap should be securely fastened, and you should not be able to move the helmet in any direction. If needed, the helmet’s sizing pads can help improve the fit.
* All skateboarders and scooter-riders should wear a helmet and other protective gear; wrist guards are particularly important.
* Communities should continue to develop skateboard parks, which are more likely to be monitored for safety than ramps and jumps constructed by children at home.
* While in-line skating or wearing Heelys, be sure to wear appropriate protective equipment and only skate on designated paths or rinks and not on the street.
* Try to use a mower with a control that stops the mower from moving forward if the handle is let go.
* Children younger than 16 years should not be allowed to use ride-on mowers. Children younger than 12 years should not use walk-behind mowers.
* Make sure that sturdy shoes (not sandals or sneakers) are worn while mowing.
* Prevent injuries from flying objects, such as stones or toys, by picking up objects from the lawn before mowing begins. Have anyone who uses a mower wear hearing and eye protection.
* Do not pull the mower backward or mow in reverse unless absolutely necessary, and carefully look for children behind you when you mow in reverse.
* Always turn off the mower and wait for the blades to stop completely before removing the grass catcher, unclogging the discharge chute, or crossing gravel paths, roads, or other areas.
* Do not allow children to ride as passengers on ride-on mowers.
This is something that I had not planned on writing about but as it is very important I will try to touch upon the subject — Hand Gun Safety.
The other night a 2 year old was killed by a bullet from a hand gun fired by his 9 year old brother. The weapon was owned by the boys’ father and was kept in a closet on a high shelf. This was nothing to keep the 9 year old from climbing up and getting the gun and treating it as a toy. While he was playing with the gun he shot his baby brother in the chest. The child was pronounced dead in hospital a short time later. It was a an accident and no harm was meant but great harm did happen.
It is necessary to remind gun owners that one of the first rules of safety is to keep all weapons locked up in a gun safe. There are many kinds and styles available from specially made furniture to gun safe boxes. You can also have a locking device on your firearms.
The following video demonstrates some aspects of gun safety. I hope all gun owners will pay attention.
Just today authorities found half a million dollars of illegal fireworks in a home here in California. It was enough to cause a lot of houses in the neighborhood in the even of something going wrong. Something did go wrong a year or so ago,again here in California and a couple of houses did burn down. This made me think of the coming 4th of July holiday and how much we all love fireworks.
Fireworks can be dangerous as they can cause fires, severe injuries and burns.
They are illegal in many places while others allow “Safe and Sane” fireworks.
The National Council on Fireworks Safety urges parents to be sparkler smart! Check out their safety tips and pay attention. Fireworks can burn injure and even kill. Only use legal fireworks. You can download a Directory of State Laws. In addition, fireworks are prohibited from all carry one and checked baggage as well as the US Mail.
Professional fireworks shows are given all over the country and they are safe and wonderful. We recommend that you attend one in your area., but be sure to leave your pets at home. Dogs have hearing capabilities much greater than ours and the noise is greatly amplified for them. Fourth of July is the worst day of the year for them because of this. They are terrified of the noise and think that life is at risk and run away to hide. More dogs are lost every year as a result. Leave your pets at home and make sure that the collars fit well and all the correct identification information is on the tags and he is microchiped in the event that your dogs runs away and gets lost.
The month of June has been declared Internet Safety Month by the US Senate. Anyone who uses a computer, and I think it’s most of us, needs to think about this. The Internet can be safe or it can be dangerous, especially for children. Problems can occur from instant messaging, chat rooms, cyber bullying and most dangerous of all—sexual predators. Parents need to know what their kids are doing on the Internet and with whom. They need to explain that their names, addresses, phone numbers and email addresses are strictly private and are not to be given out. Kids need to know that if anyone is threatening them or spreading lies or intimidating them in any way on the Internet they need to tell their parents immediately. Parents need to know how to protect their kids. Internet filtering software can block porn and undesirable sites. Various gadgets and software can track what kids are saying and doing online. You can download a booklet ,”Parenting Online from”WireSafety”by clicking here. This booklet is an excellent common sense resource.
The following video tells Julie’s story–a teen describes what happened to her when she made friends with a man on the Internet. She warns others of the dangers.
Keep Your Home & Family Secure – Don’t Invite Intruders
Most of us look forward to the summer months as a time for relaxing at home, traveling and vacationing. It is also the time for criminals to take advantage of open windows, unlocked garage doors and empty homes. An open window is an invitation as is a collection of newspapers on the door step. If you are planning to be away even for just one night either cancel your newspaper delivery or ask a neighbor to take the newspaper away from the font steps and to empty your mailbox. Never let your house look unoccupied it will only send a signal to a potential burglar that this is an easy target.
Never go out for the day without locking all your doors and windows even the ones on the second floor. A television or radio left on can make a possible intruder think that someone is at home. Always keep the front and back doors locked. Don’t think that a burglar will necessarily look like a criminal. He can look very respectful when he rings your door bell and finds you at home. He can ask for directions or pretend he has come to the wrong address. If no one is at home he will try the door. If it is unlocked he will come in and help himself. Be aware of men who are doing some work for you. They can ask to use the bathroom and while there can unlock the window making an easy entrance for himself.
Burglars are not too shy to attempt a robbery when the occupants are at home. More and more home invasion robberies are being reported on the news every week. These are the most dangerous and frightening of all.
If you are not at home it is an excellent idea to have an automatic timer to turn off and on the lights, TV and radio at random times to simulate a busy at home household. An empty driveway is also a sign that no one is at home. It is a good idea to ask a friend, neighbor or relative to leave a car in your driveway if possible.
And never, never forget that the heat in a closed car or even in a vehicle with the windows open or cracked can cause your automobile to be come a virtual furnace. Never leave a child or a pet in a car! I cannot say that often enough. Every year we hear that babies, toddlers and pets die because someone was careless, forgetful or just plain stupid. There were two cases here last week already. Don’t let this happen to anyone you know.
Here is a short check list:
Keep doors and windows closed and locked. Check that locks are working well.
Make sure that locks are a good quality. Don’t use a lock that anyone can kick in.
Use multiple locks especially if you live in an apartment. Have all the locks but one locked and leave one open. Confuse the burglar.
Use security bars on sliding doors and windows especially patio doors. This is a favorite burglar entry place.
Don’t forget upper story windows. They are just as vulnerable as the lower story.
Install alarms on your windows and doors. They don’t have to be expensive. You can buy many affordable alarms that you can install yourself. When a potential sees an alarm he will most likely go away and look for an easier target.
Don’t let the house look unoccupied. Use light timers, motion detector lights and have the radio or TV on.
A dog is a good deterrent. Little ones make the most noise. Big ones can scare off an intruder. Burglars don’t like dogs.
The Fernandina Beach, Florida has made a video with lots of good advice to ensure your safety and security
There are too many news items about children being assaulted and even murdered by an individual they met online in a chat room. Many predators pretend to be a youngster themselves and befriend the innocent child. Eventually they set up a meeting and the child becomes a victim. No parent should assume that their child is safe. No parent should keep a child’s privacy above his or her safety. They need to know exactly what the youngster is doing and with whom.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has published “A Parent’s Guide to Internet Safety” which is an excellent resource for information that may help to determine if a child is at risk online. I urge you to look this over as well.
Here is another publication from the FBI– “Internet Safety” is designed for kids from kindergarten to 5th grade. Show this page and the home page to your child and let him or her browse through this delightful site where a child can take a “field trip” to learn about both the FBI and safety.
The GetNetWise organization’s website has some excellent pages devoted to online safety and features websites for kids and families as well as tools that parents can employ to guide their children to safe online experiences.
Watch the following video “You Never Know Who You Are Talking To”. It is self explanatory.
Are you being followed? Who knows where you are and where you have been? Who has been reading your email and listening in to your private conversations? If you have a cellphone or a wireless network your privacy is severely compromised.
The GPS in your cellphone watches your every move. If the government wants to know your location they can find you–as long as you have your cellphone with you. They can even tap into your phone conversations. And even scarier is that they can listen in to your conversations even when your phone is turned off. The microphone in you cellphone can be turned on remotely by Big Brother and you will have no idea that it is happening. How much wireless surveillance is going on? We probably will never know. As long as you have a mobile device such as a cellphone or laptop your privacy is at risk.
I wonder who else besides the government has access to our private data. Don’t you? There must be some hackers out there that know how to do this as well. And if you have a work issued cellphone your boss could even monitor you around the clock.
Do you think that there should be strict government regulations regarding cell phone surveillance?
Recently Google made the admission that they had been collecting private data from unsecured wireless networks while their Google Street View Cameras were gathering pictures for Google Maps. These data included email from their own Gmail users. Do you use Google or have a Gmail account?
Privacy no longer exists. We may be spied upon all the time and legally, too. Can we get our privacy back again?
Send me your comments, please. Let me know what you think. I am looking forward to hearing from you. How do you feel about your privacy? Need we take steps to get it back? Maybe you don’t care. Either way I would like to hear from you.
You won’t believe this video but you won’t want to miss it. It will make you think twice before you use your cellphone again.
Spying is lots more fun when we’re watching a dramatization like my favorite spy story, “Reilly Ace of Spies” . Here is the next episode– Episode 2 – Prelude to War — part 3/5.
We found an excellent article on Web Md and suggest that you take a few minutes and read all four pages. It may save your life or the life of a loved one some day. Unfortunately crime is increasing by the day and no one is safe from it. We all need to be alert and aware all the time and never take stupid chances. So, please do click the following link and pay attention to what you read.
Now on the the next episode of “Reilly Ace of Spies” Episode 2 – Prelude to War — Part 3. Are you watching it? Let me know what you think. There is a nice big space below where you write anything you wish and I am looking forward to reading your comments.
I look forward to your questions, comments and suggestions. How do you like this new format? I am still trying to learn how to use it so this may be a bit of a mess for a while. And stay stay safe and sound until the next time.
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