4 Tips for Selecting a Home Security System

With the increase in home invasions and break-ins, acquiring a home security system is an important option to consider. Yet, how does one go about choosing which system is the best? Whether you randomly choose a company or you decide to install a system yourself, there are a few things to consider in order to make the best choice.

1) Allow a professional to install the system for you. Unless you are very technically savvy this is the best course of action. Professional installation usually comes with a warranty in case of a malfunction. Also, it will give you more peace-of-mind that the system is installed correctly. It is important that the system functions properly when you need it the most.

2) Select a well-known home security system company. There is a reason some companies have been around for a while. Though longevity is not always the final proof of quality, the companies with a track record are a good place to begin your research. What kind of warranties do the companies offer? Do they monitor their home security clients in-house or do they hire another company for their monitoring? What happens exactly if the security system is triggered. What is the plan of action? Do you believe the plan of action is sufficient and provides you the security you feel is necessary?

3) Determine what your security needs are. Not all security systems are the same. Some are very basic and some come with all the bells and whistles. Do you need motion detectors in all of the rooms or is it enough just to have the doors and windows of the house monitored? Just like in the purchase of a car, there are always a list of options to choose from. Be sure that what you are paying for is actually what you believe you really need.

4) Determine how much you can afford to spend. Affordability should be the bottom line of any purchase. Figure out how much you have to spend first and then choose a security system which offers the most for that price.

Deciding what home security system is best for you does not have to be a complicated process. If you take a little time, consult a reliable professional, determine what you need and can afford, the security system you install will bring you the peace-of-mind and confidence that you and your family are secure.

For Your Safety,

Dr. Martin Wooten

 

5 Self Defense and Safety Tips for the Elderly

Elder abuse is one of the most heinous crimes in our society. With people living much longer, elder abuse is destined to be on the increase. The following are some helpful tips to keep you safe.

1) Be sure you have adequate locks on your doors and windows. It is well worth the price of new locks if a burglar comes around looking for a way to get into your house. Don't make it easy for them.

2) Get to know your neighbors. Ask them to keep an eye out for any suspicious looking activity and either inform you or call the police themselves. Also, ask them if you can contact them if you become startled. The majority of people are more than happy and even eager to help.

3) Keep emergency numbers in close view. Calling 911 is the most important call you can make. Secondly, call your neighbors.

4) Don't be embarrassed to ask for help. It is normal not to want to bother anyone but a little humility can go a long way in keeping you safe.

5) Think about getting a watch dog. Check out my post which discusses the difference between a watch dog and a guard dog. If you are comfortable with a guard dog then invest in one. If not, be sure you select a breed known for watch dog capabilities, particularly a breed that barks. Barking dogs are an excellent deterrent to break-ins. Obviously, burglars operate best when they are undetected. A dog can hear suspicious activity well before you can.

Stay safe,
Dr. Martin Wooten

3 Important Aspects of Personal Self-Defense

The statement, "The best defense is no defense", though seemingly contradictory, is ironically true. Not having to defend yourself is a much safer scenario than a scenario in which you must defend yourself against an attacker.

1) Be aware of your surroundings. Only allow yourself to be alone if it is absolutely necessary. Late night activities in secluded places are prime hiding places for an attacker. Plan ahead in order to avoid being caught in a dangerous place. Why go to a late movie when you can attend an earlier one and avoid the chance of being attacked?

2) You have heard the saying, "There is strength in numbers." Well, it's true, particularly when it comes to protecting yourself. Robbers, rapists, and muggers are cowards by nature and prey on the weak and isolated. If attending a party where you are unacquainted with most of the people, take a friend along and stay together. Remember, date rape is not a group event.

3)  Unless you have had some extensive training, you'll need to get in a learning mode, put aside some time, and be ready to have some fun learning how to better defend yourself. There are a lot of resources available from books to DVDs that will help you get started. It is not necessary to enroll in a karate course to prepare yourself. A few basic but effective moves can take you a long way!

For Your Safety,

Dr. Martin Wooten

(I copied and pasted the following article from physorg.com in hopes that you will take seriously the importance of providing the necessary safety measures for the well-being of your children. The article is evidence-base and very informative.)  

The Faculty of Health Sciences professor of children’s health was a co-investigator on A Randomized Controlled Trial of Home Injury Hazard Reduction, published in the Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine (April 2011).

The two-year study in Cincinnati, OH looked at how young children in more than 300 homes with safety devices fared compared to those in homes without the devices. They included stairway gates, cabinet locks, electrical outlet covers, safety storage for sharp objects such as knives and hot water heaters set below 48 degrees Celsius (120 F).

Along with Lanphear, five researchers at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Centre, including the lead investigator Doctor Kieran J. Phelan, studied the impact of installing and maintaining the devices. Their efficacy was studied during the first two years of a baby’s life.

The researchers found children in the equipped homes experienced 70 per cent fewer preventable injuries. The rate of all housing-related injuries dropped by 30 per cent.

“The results of this study are important because injuries are the leading cause of morbidity, mortality and disability in Canada and other developed countries,” explains Lanphear.

“Injuries that occur in the home are the most common and preventable injuries. Cuts, bruises, burns, poisonings or falls are not usually severe or fatal, but falling down stairs or out of an open window can result in serious injuries or death. Ingestions, fires or poisonings occur frequently and can be serious or fatal.”

This is the first study of home-safety device efficacy to go so far as installing, maintaining and evaluating their injury reduction. Previous studies typically only provided families with educational literature. 

Motion Sensors: 3 Things to Consider

Motions sensors represent the technology which enables motion sensors to trigger all types of security alarms, lights, and cameras, and alert police and emergency personnel. Before this technology the main challenge for an intruder was to move quietly without being seen. Therefore, motion sensors should be part of your efforts to provide protection for home and family. Here are some things to consider:

1) Motion sensors fall into two main categories; "outdoor" and "indoor." The main difference involves the resiliency of the unit. If you have outdoor areas you would like to secure by detecting motion you will want a motion sensor reliable enough to function efficiently during various weather conditions.

Keep that in mind before you select a particular type of motion sensor. The main decision is whether you want a motion sensor that turns on outside lights, sounds a alarm, or takes pictures of what is moving. I recommend an outdoor unit that turns on outside lights because there are a lot of things that move in the night so if you have an piercing alarm attached to your motion sensors you will undoubtedly find yourself being awakened by a lot of false alarms, i.e. racoons, cats, blowing limbs, etc. Lights are quiet but very effective in scaring away a would-be intruder.

I want an alarm to warn me primarily if a door or window is opened. An intruder would have to be a lot more crazy than he already is by just being an intruder to enter a home after a loud alarm sounds. One thing you can be sure of; all intruders hate attention, and alarms and lights bring a lot of it.

2) Motion sensors can be pricey, particularly the ones with video and camera capabilities. For the normal homeowner, you have to question whether there is enough benefit for you personally to justify the higher prices.

Regarding outside motion sensors I am not as interested in viewing the culprit as I am in scaring him away. Videos units connected to inside motion sensors, however, are particularly useful for monitoring and viewing the goings-on in areas of concern, for example, an infant or toddler bedroom.

It is very difficult to recommend any particular motion sensor because of the many variations of features as I mentioned above, as well as the wide range of prices. There are very simple units as well as some more expensive ones. Something to keep in mind; you don't necessarily need an expensive unit with all the bells and whistles to detect motion.

3) Check out this website. It's a great company with great product support. Start simple, try the unit to see if it is what you are looking for, and if not, return it for something more useful. I want a motion sensor unit which primarily lets me know when a window or door is opened. Once someone is in the house, you have less time to react.

At this point, you need to make a decision and acquire a motion sensor unit that gives you and your family ample warning to take the appropriate action. Don't procrastinate, your life and the lives of your loved ones depend on decisiveness and action. Saving lives always does.

For your safety,

Dr. Martin Wooten

Is a Pit Bull for Me?

As I have recommended to hundreds of people and wrote in my post on owning a dog, there is no stronger deterrent to an attacker's plans than a protection dog. No question about it. Even if you are  holding someone at gunpoint, your hesitancy because of fear or reluctance to shoot someone can put you in harm's way. 

A good protection dog has no fear of protecting; that is his one and only job. Pit bulls are great protection dogs. The reputation they have for being aggressive, violent, and out of control is for the most part unwarranted. If they are trained to be aggressive or the owner is not a strong leader and lets them have their way, they can be a problem. Otherwise, they are great family dogs, very loyal, and protective. I have a female pit bull and she is great with my family and very friendly when people come over, but she is no nonsense if a threat to my family occurs.

While my daughter was jogging in somewhat of a reclusive area, she was almost attacked by a man until our pit bull stepped in between her and the attacker. She never actually bit the man but she let him clearly know that if he took one more step towards my daughter things were going to get ugly. One look at her and the man backed off and fled.

Check out my other post on owning a protection dog.  Dogs are an investment that will protect you and your family from some horrible experiences. No one with even the slightest brain wave who would carry out a plan of attack on someone walking with a protection dog. Let alone, if you had two. It's a beautiful thing when your dog does it's job.

For Your Safety,

Dr. Martin Wooten
      

4 Critical Things You Need to Know to Protect Yourself in a Fire!

STARKVILLE, Miss. (Dec. 28) - Fire tore through an apartment early Monday, killing six children and three adults, officials said."

1) How many times do we have to read about the tragedies of home fires before we find the conviction to take some defensive action? There is hardly a day that goes by without a headline reporting a home fire disaster. Whole families often die as a result of fire accidents that tragically could have easily been prevented. You need to take this problem seriously.

2) Smoke is the real killer in a house fire. Victims are usually dead from suffocation well before the fire ever reaches them. A good smoke detector will alert you that something is burning in your house and give you important time to either extinguish whatever is burning or exit the premises.

3) There are two types of fires: flaming and smoldering. Flaming fires result from flammable materials igniting from unattended portable heaters, cooking accidents, etc.  Smoldering fires occur when  materials, such as cigarettes fall into a sofa or a bed and produce a great deal of smoke before actually igniting. 

Because you don't know what type of fire you will have in your home, experts recommend installing both types of technology for optimal protection. Therefore, I strongly recommend dual sensor smoke alarms to give your family the best chance of survival.

I have done some research for you and I suggest this smoke and fire detector because of its capability to detect both flaming and smoldering fires.

4) It is critical to take the appropriate action. I can't imagine life without fire. I enjoy hot showers, cooked food, and a warm fireplace. Yet, don't let fire take your life or the lives of your loved ones. It's quite the contradiction to spend a great amount of time and money to plan for your family's future, and ignore the need to spend a few minutes and dollars to install a smoke detector. 

For Your Safety,

Dr. Martin Wooten