Watch Those Stairs: 7 Ways of Preventing Falls

Stairs are the cause for most of the accidental falls in the home. Because of the severity of these falls stairs falls are also the leading cause of death due to falls in the home. Consider the following 7 tips to keep your house safe and to prevent dangerous falls.

1) Be sure that the edge of the stairs are highly visible. Use a black border or some other indicator which keeps the edge of the step visible. Carpet patterns should not hide the edge of steps. Many falls are a result of some believing the steps have ended when in actually there are one or two more steps.

2) Don't place throw rugs at the top or bottom of the stairs. If rugs are used be sure to properly secure them with carpet tape or non-slip rubber backing.  

3) On non-carpeted stairs use skid resistant surface treatments, non-skid tape, or rubber stair treads. Follow the directions of experts for application.

4) Be sure handrails are installed on both sides of the stairs.

5) Be sure that the stairway has adequate lighting and switches are installed at both the top and bottom of the stairs.

6) Do not allow the stairs to be a collecting place for books, packages or other objects. Remove them immediately to prevent someone from tripping over them.

7) Be sure that single steps are visible. Single steps are often overlooked but many people trip on them frequently.

10 Ways to Prevent Home Electrical Fires

Electrical fires cause hundreds of lost lives and cost millions of dollars in damaged property each year.  Here is a list of 10 ways to prevent electrical fires from starting at home.

1) Inspect the cords and plugs on electrical equipment and appliances and replace anything that is frayed or worn out. Faulty wiring is one of the major causes of home electrical fires.

2) Do not overload your electrical sockets. The best guideline to the proper use of electrical sockets is to check how many spaces it has for plugs. If an electrical socket only has 2 plug outlets, then it is designed only to handle that many appliances at the same time.

3) Extension cords are alright to use, but not extensively. Under no circumstances should extension cords be used as permanent electrical sockets. Electrical fires happen most often in the month of December, during the holiday season when people use a lot of extension cords for decorations. If extension cords are used on occasion they should be heavy duty and good quality.

4) Electrical appliances have different pronged plugs. Don't try to force a 3-pronged plug into a 2-pronged outlet.

5) Use safety covers on electrical sockets particularly if you have small children.

6) A lot of fires are a result of using stand-alone electrical heaters. Be sure to keep these heaters away from curtains, drapes, clothes, and any other flammable materials, particularly Christmas trees during the holiday season.

7) Be careful of electric blankets. Buy only the highest quality electric blankets, preferably those with temperature safety controls which control how hot a blanket gets. Discard electric blankets that have loose or exposed wires to keep the user from being burned.

8) Do not place carpets or rugs over electrical cables. Carpets can be easily ignited by faulty exposed electrical cords. It is better to be able to see electrical cords than to be burned by them.

9) Only buy appliances that have passed all safety standards.

10) Watch out for fuses and sockets that frequently short-circuit. These are signs of faulty wiring or overloaded electrical systems. Contact an electrician immediately.

3 Easy Ways to Protect Yourself!

1)  Keep a weapon in your hand. You can use your car keys and cell phones to either stab or bludgeon an attacker. Pepper spray is also effective weapon because it can immobilize someone and keep more distance between you and the attacker.

2)  Be alert at all times and don't allow yourself to be distracted from getting to your destination. It is easy to be distracted by text messaging or cell phone calls and to become unaware of  your surroundings. Stay alert and ready to use your weapon if necessary.

3) Believe that an attack can happen to you! Too many people walk around with a false sense of security. If you find yourself walking down a sidewalk near an alley where someone might be hiding, walk in the street if possible until you reach a safer place. The more distance you put between yourself and a potential attacker the greater chance you have of not being attacked. Look assertive and confident. Remember, attackers are looking for weakness in a victim and not strength. Avoid areas with poor lighting, particularly when walking alone. Don't be afraid to ask to be escorted from a grocery store or restaurant. There is nothing to be ashamed of. It just makes good sense.

For Your Safety,

Dr. Martin Wooten 

5 Pool Safety Tips to Keep Your Family Safe.

There is no better way to relax and avoid the summer heat than to spend the day playing in a swimming pool. Yet, as fun as a pool may be there are serious inherent dangers. Some 90 percent of drownings occur in fresh water and more than half of these occur in home swimming pools. Drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death for school-age children and the number one cause for preschoolers. Approximately 350 drownings each year involve residential swimming pools among children ages 4 and under. More than half of these drownings occur in the child’s home pool and one-third occur at the homes of friends, neighbors or relatives. Therefore, it is important to be conscious of pool safety precautions. Listed below are a few safety tips to keep in mind in order to help insure your swimming excursions are a safe and memorable experience and not a tragic one.

1) It’s much safer to always swim with another person. Because a person can drown quickly, swimming alone should be avoided. If another person is present, it is much more likely that a person who is drowning will get help before it is too late. Children should never be left alone while swimming. Most parents intend on watching their children but the phone rings or the baby wakes up, etc., and they become distracted. Remember this. Most accidents happen when a child is left alone. Also, children are much more playful and energetic which can lead to many more accidents.

2) Be sure your children learn to swim as early as possible. Most drowning accidents involve children who did not know how to swim. Learning to swim is a fun experience for children and will give you the peace of mind that if one of your children does fall into a pool they will have a much better chance of survival. It is important to realize that even if your pool is child protected, that might not be the case at another home with a pool where your children spend time. Also, parents need to be sure they can swim as well. It does little good if the person watching the children is unable to enter the water to rescue a child in trouble.

3) Children should wear life jackets. These give a extra measure of safety for children. Life jackets should be preferred because they help keep the whole upper body including the head above water. Arm flotation devices are another option, however, children can more easily pull them off and they are not as effective in case a child is knocked unconscious.

4) Never dive in the shallow end of the pool or in a body of water where you cannot see how deep the water is or what obstacles lie hidden beneath the surface of the water. Many people have suffered broken necks, been knocked unconscious, and have drowned because their heads hit the pool bottom or something else hidden from sight in a cloudy body of water.

5) Be sure your back yard pool is surrounded by an adequate fence and the gate automatically shuts. Also, it should go without saying that the gate should be locked at all times when there is no adult supervision. In places where home swimming pools are a common part of home life, a locked gate not only protects your children but also other children in the neighborhood who might wander into your back yard. Jacuzzi pools are often overlooked in regards to requiring the same safety standards as a pool. Jacuzzi covers which can be locked in place are available and should be part of the safety standards for your back yard. If your children are denied access to the pool or a jacuzzi then obviously they will not be another swimming accident statistic.

Home Security Tips For When You Are Away

With the rise in home burglaries, it is normal to feel apprehensive when we leave our homes for vacations or weekends away. A vacant home is like a sitting duck in a world filled with opportunity seeking intruders. Although no efforts at preventing a break-in are fool-proof, I have listed below some tips to help discourage someone from breaking into your home while you are away.

 

 

1) Lock all doors, windows, and garage doors. Sometimes the most obvious preventive measures are overlooked the most. Locks need to be reliable and strong enough to provide a serious break-in obstacle. Flimsy locks do nothing but give you a false sense of security. Place a rod or a broom- handle-thick piece of wood and put it in the tracks of your sliding glass doors and double wide windows to prevent them from being opened.

2) Outside lighting is important to discourage intruders. Every entrance to the house should have a light illuminating the area. Motion detector lights serve a useful purpose in this regard as do lights that are on timers. Motion detectors are better for the utility bill in contrast to lights left on all night.

3) Timers should be set to control lights and TVs etc., throughout the day to keep an intruder guessing if someone is home or not. Intruders want to reduce the risk as much as possible and if they have to wonder if someone is home, they usually move on to a house where it is more obvious that no one is home.

4)  Let neighbors you trust know that you will be away for a few days. Ask them to keep their eyes on your house and call 911 if they suspect something is wrong.

5)  Alѕο alert уουr local police department οf уουr vacation plans аnd give thеm a phone number whеrе уου саn bе reached іn case οf аn emergency.

6)  Stοр mail аnd newspaper delivery. Piled up mail or newspapers is a sure sign that no one is home.

7)  Be sure while you are gone that your lawn is mowed or if in the winter time that your driveway and walkway are free from snow. It is important that a potential intruder thinks that someone is home and taking of care of the normal duties of a home owner.

8)  Keep уουr travel plans confidential. Many people make a huge mistake by broadcasting their travel plans to people they don't know or by posting their plans on Facebook οr οthеr social networking websites.

Following these tips can give you much needed peace-of-mind when heading out of town for that special weekend or vacation. Be sure to plan ahead so that you have the time needed to implement all of these tips. You'll be glad you did!

For Your Safety,

Dr. Martin Wooten

Home Safety: Carbon Monoxide Detectors Can Save Your Family's Life

It can kill in a matter of minutes, but you can’t see it, smell it, or taste it. Carbon monixide has been called the invisible killer. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are similar to those of the flu, food poisoning or other illnesses, such as dizziness, confusion, nausea, headaches, and shortess of breath.

Sadly, carbon monoxide poisoning kills hundreds of people every year which has motivated more and more homeowners to purchase carbon monoxide detectors for their homes. Many home owners recognize the value of smoke detectors which in many states are required in all new homes and buildings. However, carbon monoxide detectors have not reached the same home safety emphasis. However, carbon monoxide is even more deadly because it is oderless and invisible. Its victims simply fall asleep, yet never wake up.
Carbon monoxide is produced when any fuel such as gas, oil, kerosene, wood or charcoal is burned. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, dangerous levels of carbon monoxide are produced when appliances are used incorrectly or are not functioning properly. Idling cars are a common source of carbon monoxide poisoning. Anyone using fuel sources besides electricity should be very familiar with the equipment and have it professionally inspected. Unlike propane, which is heavier than air or natural gas which is lighter than air, carbon monoxide has the same buoyancy as room air and therefore, circulates easily and evenly.

Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors should be partners in providing early warnings of dangerous and poisonous gases in the home. There is no better insurance than a properly operating smoke and carbon monoxide detector. They both save lives.

For Your Safety,

Dr. Martin Wooten

If You Can't Afford a Home Security System, Try This!

Sometimes we overlook a simple solution to a problem because we're led to believe that the more sophisticated solutions are the most reliable, particularly in this age of technology.

In general, most people believe that the best way to ward off burglars and the like is to invest in an expensive technologically sophisticated home security system. Yet, in reality, all they really want is something to make a lot of noise to scare off a would-be intruder.

A simpler solution if you don't have a home security system is to use your car as an alarm. Most cars these days have alarm systems included in the price of the car and can be set off by pressing the panic button on the car key. Keep your car key close at hand, next to your bed at night, etc., and when you hear something suspicious or someone trying to break into your house, press the panic button on your car key. That should startle any burglars from continuing their break-in attempts. Whatever the case, it is a lot less expensive than installing a home security system, particularly if you are short on case.

Just be sure to check the detection range of your car alarm to be sure it will go off if the button is pressed inside the house.

For your safety,

Dr. Martin Wooten

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

4 Ways to Prevent Rape!

1. Work On Your Defensive Mindset: As I mentioned in my Defensive Living Manifesto, defense living begins in the mind. It is a mindset which is aware and prepared for action if necessary, not a mindset of paranoia and fear. Fear, weakness, and vulnerability are what an attacker looks for in a potential victim. How you think transfers into body language. If you consider yourself weak and easy prey, guess what you will look like? 

2.Reduce The Risk: The best defense is not to have to defend yourself at all. There are certain risks in this life which are unavoidable. We all realize that. But, the risks which we can reduce or avoid all together should have our full concentration. 

For example, I see women all the time walk into shadowy parking garages unescorted. Dumb! That is the only way to describe it. Preventing rape means you have to learn not to assume anything. Wait until several people are going in the same direction. Ask to be escorted. Most men are by nature protective and more than willing to help you get in your car safely; grocery boys, waiters, parking attendants, security guards, etc. 

3. Be Careful What You Drink or Drink: For you girls who like to party, be careful. Drinks and food can be laced with date rape drugs. Pour or open your own drink, or at least watch as it is being poured. If you happen to set it down and take your eyes off of it, even for a few seconds, open another drink and keep it with you. 

4. Select a Weapon: Thats right, a weapon. Obviously, guns are the most effective but you need to be trained in how to use one.  A knife is also effective, but unless you know how to wield it, it will probably end up in the hands of your attacker. The best all around option is pepper spray, in my opinion. It establishes a "critical distance" from the attacker and, most importantly, renders him powerless. Check out my post on pepper spray for more details on what kind and size of spray I recommend and why.  

For Your Safety,

Dr. Martin Wooten

Let's Talk About Those Sliding Glass Doors: A Few Things to Consider

You gotta love those sliding glass doors. Its nice how they really open up a room, let all that sunshine in, nice curtains and all. You can just open those doors and walk right out and view your estate, the hills coming alive with the sound of music, the city lights, or maybe just your backyard garbage cans. 

1) There are doors out there that would be more difficult to open than other less expensive types, but burglars, rapists, and murderers usually come prepared. It is amazing how much you can do with a crowbar. I used to be an iron worker and I have used bars thousands of times to pry, separate, break open, and lift all types of steel objects such as girders, huge flat steel plates, and multi-ton loads of steel. 

You don't want someone like me standing at your sliding glass door with a crowbar and a plan of using your family as means to fulfill my sinister desires.

There is not a sliding glass door that I can't pry open, trust me.

Except, of course, one that can't be pried.

I know, sounds crazy. If there is not a door that I can't pry open, then how can there be an exception? It's a simple matter of physics.

The key, obviously, is to keep the sliding door from sliding. Some doors either come or can be fitted with pins. Pins can be either at the bottom or top of the door. You push them through a hole that goes through both doors to keep the door from sliding. The fact that it is called a "pin" should raise some serious questions. Why not a bolt or a steel bar? A pin against a pry bar? Go figure. 

2) When a sliding door is closed, if a security bar is placed in the sliding track it is impossible generate enough force to snap or bend it from that direction. It doesn't take a would-be intruder very long to realize that the door is not going to give way, and he will have to move on.

I've done some research and I want you to check out this patio door security bar. It's adjustable which is very useful because patio doors are not as standardized as you might think, and sometimes you like to slide the door open just a little to get some fresh air. The adjustable feature allows you to do that. 

Also, the alarm feature is always a good deterrent. It gives you important time to prepare for an intrusion by calling 911, and an intruder is not usually going to take the risk giving you more time to find your gun or some other weapon.  Notice the big red, "Alarm" painted on the side of the security bar. This lets the intruder see that the door has an alarm on it. Chances are he will move on. If not, the security bar will keep the door from being opened.

Hey, if you don't like my suggestion, then get an old broom handle and cut it to fit in the door sliding groove, and there you go.

For your safety,


Dr. Martin Wooten  

Defensive Living Manifesto

Door Locks: Normal Dead Bolts Do Not Provide Enough Security

As I mentioned in my post on "safe rooms" after you secure a "safe room" in your home which is the first priority, it is important to secure the rest of the house.

Obviously, the main entries, i.e. front door, back door, entrance from the garage, must be properly fortified. The design of regular dead-bolt locks is not adequate to prevent entry. Around 200 lbs of pressure or less and you're in.

Kicking through entry doors is the best way for the majority of home invaders. No broken glass or the threat of being seen climbing through a window. A solid kick to the front or back door is all it takes. It just sounds like a door slamming loud.

Check out this web site if you haven't already and review the Ultimate Lock, particularly the demonstration videos. You can't kick or pry through it. An intruder is not going to risk the attention he will attract by continuing his attempts to kick the door in. There are two models, residential and business. The business model can also be used in your home, but the residential model should be more than adequate for most homes.

As I have said before, I'm not a salesman with a crazy pitch. If you can find a better lock then go for it. Just make sure you do it. I'm just trying to save you some time. If there is any question whether the dead-bolt you are considering is kick-proof, then keep looking around.

For your safety

Dr. Martin Wooten

Now, Does This Really Look Like a BB Gun?

There was an article a few years ago about a Missoula, Montana student's decision to bring a BB pistol he found to school which resulted in a one-year suspension from every public school in the United States. Seem a bit harsh? Only until you see what BB guns look like these days. Sure, this kid should have known better and apparently did. I'm sure he'll learn a lot from the experience and one day look back on the incident with a bit of a haunting embarrassment.


Yet, if the manufacturers had made the gun orange, would the authorities have been as concerned. Obviously not. The issue to the school principal was that a made-to-look-real BB gun can initiate police action that puts other students at risk. If this student had brandished an orange gun, however, others would know that it wasn't real.


Several years ago I bought my son a BB gun that looked like the real thing and was powered by gas cartridges. Hey, every good American boy should have the experience of a BB gun, you know, just like going to a baseball game or chomping down on granny's home baked pumpkin pie on a cold Thanksgiving afternoon.

However, how is a police officer with a wife and family, and a partner with the same, suppose to react when called into such a scenario? Assume its a toy? Would you? Just as a gun is always assumed to be loaded, a made-to-look-real toy gun is going to be assumed real. Any other assumption places the assumer in great danger.


The moral of this story: Don't buy your kid or allow him to buy a BB, pellet, or toy gun that looks real. I was in a store the other day and my son saw some soft pellet air guns that looked very real, and he asked me; "Dad, can I buy one of these." I replied, "No way son, they look real." "Yeah, but Dad, they only shoot soft pellets and all the kids have them and the police have learned to tell the difference." (It always amazes me how much intense research our kids do on these subjects. I'm sure my son has interviewed all the police officers in our town and accurately assessed all of the most recent training programs)


I have learned to stand my ground and trust my common sense, even though my kids have often made me wonder if I have any connection to the present cultural realities around me at all. The answer was kind but firm, "No way son, I love you too much to put you in a dangerous situation." I suggested that we buy an orange one to which he replied, "Oh Dad, but they make those for kids." A pause, and then, "Oh yeah, that's the point, huh Dad".


Who knows? Maybe I saved my son's life that day, or saved an officer from a life of alcoholism who felt he had to pull the trigger. Too dramatic? Yeah, death has a funny way of doing that to me.


Oh yeah, about that BB gun that looked real I bought for my son a couple of years ago? It somehow just kinda got lost.


For Your Safety,


Dr. Martin Wooten

There is Nothing Like Seeing The Real Thing!

Click on this link and check out the safety program for children put on by the local police department in this Missouri town. Hey listen, the earlier we begin to teach our children about overall safety, the more ingrained these realities will be when the time comes for them to start making decisions for themselves.

This program focuses on and demonstrates in real life what the hazards can be when we don't wear our seat belts. The up-close observance of what will actually happen in an accident without seat belts leaves a life-long impression.

This program focuses on and demonstrates in real life what the hazards can be when we don't wear our seat belts. The up-close observance of what will actually happen in an accident without seat belts leaves a life-long impression.

Just imagine your little girl finally grown up enough to be out with her friends, with one of her friends driving. And just suppose the driver starts acting a little silly, driving crazy, you know, all the things one does when one is of a younger age. And now picture your daughter, reach across her waist and quietly buckle her seat belt (while cussing out her crazy friend) even though no one else in the car does so because of being made fun of earlier, i.e. "Only a sissy will wear a seat belt."

Check to see if any safety demonstrations are being held in your area. Your family will enjoy the time together and learn a great deal about safety practices. C'mon, just sitting there won't make you safe, you've got to practice it!

For Your Safety,

Dr. Martin Wooten