More hotels to provide employees with alert devices

Perth great-grandmother, 93, saved by personal safety alarm during terrifying home invasion

Ms Simpson awoke to find the two boys ransacking her property. (9News)

By Tegan Sapwell • Reporter

A Perth great-grandmother has used a personal safety alarm to call for help during a terrifying home invasion.

Jean Simpson was alone in her home when she woke to find a stranger in her bedroom rummaging through her drawer last month.

Two boys had broken into her house and began ransacking the rooms while she slept.

“I said, ‘What are you doing here?’, and he got such a fright,” she told 9News.

But the 93-year-old great-grandmother kept her wits about her and made a run for it.

“I thought what if they come and bash me up? I’m getting out of here. So I went out the front door,” she said.

One of the intruders pushed her against a wall as they ran past her, injuring her hand.

Bleeding, Jean Simpson then went inside and used a personal alarm to call for help.

Operators in a call centre for not-for-profit aged care service, Silver Chain, kept her on the line while they called police.

“A minute by yourself can feel like hours if you’ve had a fall or you’re having palpitations or if there is somebody in the house,” Kiah Lee, from Silver Chain, said.

“If you have somebody there – even if it is just a voice – it makes you feel like you’re not alone.”

About 4000 West Australians and 7000 around the country have a personal alarm. Silver Chain says it receives 400 emergency calls a month.

Jean Simpson said the attack hasn’t put her off living alone, because she knows help is there if she needs it. But she’s urging other seniors to consider getting an alarm.

© Nine Digital Pty Ltd 2019

Link to the article: https://www.9news.com.au/national/perth-home-invasion-great-grandmother-safety-alarm-help-call-emergency-news-wa-australia/c8168930-e778-4181-adb8-f4a9a22bdae9

Related articles: https://conservnews.wordpress.com/category/personal-safety-home-defense/

For further assistance in home security, click here for more: http://unioncitygaragedoorrepair.net/

Article source here: Perth great-grandmother, 93, saved by personal safety alarm during terrifying home invasion

Personal Safety In The Home By Winnipeg Police Service

Many people operate under the assumption that concerns for personal safety apply only to someone who is away from the comfort of his or her home. A person should not take anything for granted when it comes to their safety.

IT’S IMPORTANT TO BE AWARE OF YOUR PERSONAL SAFETY IN ALL SITUATIONS, INCLUDING THE HOME

• Keep doors and windows secure at all times.
• Only open the door when it is safe to do so.

SERVICE AND DELIVERY PEOPLE
• Place a peephole in the door.
• Verify person’s reason for attendance.
• Ask for proper identification.
• Consider contacting the organization/company to confirm/verify delivery time.
• Consider contacting the organization/company to schedule an appointment.
• Be sure to utilize reputable and reliable companies.

STRANGERS AT THE DOOR
• It is common practice for a burglar to knock first to see if anyone is home.
• Verify the persons reason for attendance.
• If you are uncomfortable with their attendance, stay calm and tell them to leave.
• If they refuse to leave advise them that you are calling police.

APARTMENT/CONDO SAFETY
Remember the front door of your apartment/condo block is the front door of your residence.
• Never allow anyone that you do not know into the building.
• Lock/secure doors, windows and lockers.
• Do not identify yourself on the call board.
• Do not enter an elevator if you are suspicious of the occupants.
• Report suspicious people loitering.

TELEPHONE SAFETY
Be cautious when speaking to someone on the phone, as you cannot confirm their true identity. They could be a fraudster.
• If a caller refuses to identify him or herself to you – hang up.
• Do not give out any personal information to anyone. This includes credit card or banking info.
• Do not divulge that you are home alone.
• If you are receiving annoying or harassing telephone calls, hang up and activate the call trace feature (*57). Document the date, time and nature of the calls and assemble a record of calls before contacting the police.
• Notify the police immediately if the calls are threatening in nature.

SAFETY TIPS TO REMEMBER
• Keep sightlines clear – trim trees and shrubs to prevent a place to hide.
• Lighting can be an effective deterrent for criminals:
? use motion lights on the exterior
? use timers inside your home to give appearance someone is home
• Change locks upon moving into a new residence.
• Keep doors locked even when you are home or in your yard.
• Include children in your safety plan.
• Get to know your neighbours.
• Be aware of suspicious activity and look out for each other.

Trust your instincts!

Connect with your
Community Relations Officers
To book a presentation, request officers
attend an event, or for more information:

204-986-6322
Winnipeg.ca/TakeAction
Make the Right Call
Emergency: 911
Non-Emergency: 204-986-6222
Report a Crime Online: Winnipeg.ca/police

More information about personal and in-house safety,
visit www.winnipeg.ca/police

 

Link to the article: https://filipinojournal.com/personal-safety-in-the-home-by-winnipeg-police-service/

Related articles: https://conservnews.wordpress.com/category/personal-safety-home-defense/

For further assistance in home security, click here for more: http://unioncitygaragedoorrepair.net/

Article source here: Personal Safety In The Home By Winnipeg Police Service

Start Prepping Here – Personal Safety Part 2 – Securing Your Home

In this series, we’ve taken on topics of Food Storage, Personal Safety, Water Storage, and Sanitation.  Today, we have yet another topic.  When many people start preparing, they either are convinced that the world is going to end or they are looking into how to protect their family from the winter power outage or maybe from the potential of losing a job.  It’s the same with home security.  People either think the world is going to end and their house should be more secure than the FBI headquarters or they simply want to deter current potential burglars.

If you, like so many people, just want to provide your family with security against “everyday” potential problems, then this article is for you.  And if that is the case, I just want to point out that you don’t have to make your home a veritable Fort Knox.  Believe it or not, all you need to do is to make your house look like a less attractive option than houses around you.  Why would a burglar try for an apple in the middle of the tree when you can grab one off the bottom branch.

So let’s jump right into how to do that.  How do we make our houses less appealing to the burglars?  Here are simple steps to put our houses at least up to the middle of the tree.

In research for this article, I found information on what burglars said actually deterred them from hitting a house.

(1) A Barking Dog

When we moved to this house and we were no longer renting, we got a dog for this very reason.  Burglars say that for many of them if they hear a dog, that’s a no-go for them.

(2) Closed Circuit TV

The cool thing about this is that, if you do it right, you don’t actually have to have a CCTV.  It simply needs to look like you have one.  You can buy the real thing for about $130.  OR you could buy a look-alike for about $25.  Someone who worked in the security business, when asked about this type of camera, said that the difference between a real and a fake camera like this is no longer distinguishable by looking at it.  The only way someone would know that this type of camera is fake is if you picked it up.  If it’s attached to the outside of your house, they can’t pick it up, so they would never know the difference.

(3) Television

Burglars have said that having a TV that is on or at least sounds like it’s on is a deterrent.  It makes them believe that people are actually home.  Most burglars don’t want trouble.  They want in and out (usually) in less than 5 minutes.

(4) Visibility

You want the space around your windows and doors to be clear.  You don’t want shrubs under your windows.  A burglar can hide in the shrubs while trying to jimmy a window open.   If your windows and doors are well-lit, this will also deter burglars.  You can install something as simple as solar power motion activated lights.  If there is movement within a certain area, the motion light will go on, but you don’t have to worry about hooking it up to electricity or about changing a battery.

(5) Door Security

Having a solid front door goes far in the way of deterring burglars.  Having a solid wood door is the best by far.  If you can’t have that, at least have a solid wood core to your door.

Deadbolt

With your regular door knob lock, install a deadbolt.  While a deadbolt isn’t a 100% deterrent, it does give you two lines of defense against your door being easily opened.  Remember that our job isn’t to make our home into a fortress as much as it to make it hard to get into.

Securing your door jamb

Other ways to secure your door is to use 3-4″ long screws on the door jamb.  Now, if you’re like me, you may not know what a door jamb is.  Go to your door.  Open it.  Take a look at the wall where your lock fits into the wall.  This is called the strike plate.  UNDER the strike plate is your door jamb.  In order to install longer screws into your door jamb, you’ll have to remove the strike plate.  If you have a strong door jamb, your door will be so much more secure.

Nightlock

If you are looking for an additional way to secure your door, or if you, like us, have glass on either side of our door and can’t install longer screws into your door jamb, there are other ways to secure your door.   One of the things I’ve been looking into until we can replace our front door is called Nightlock.  Nightlock is made up of three pieces.  The first attaches to the back of your door.  The second attaches to the floor, and the last one secures the one in the door to the one on the floor.

Your Sliding Glass Door

Do you have a sliding glass door?  If you do, then you want to make sure that you also secure them.  You can purchase something “fancy” like this.  Honestly though, if you find the right length of 1″x2″, you can slide it in the door so that no one can open the door.  It’s just as effective.

(6) Window Security

Now for securing windows, there are several things you can do.  If you are concerned about someone breaking a window to get into your house, there is a way to reinforce your windows.  There is something called reinforced window film.  You can purchase from 3M or from Amazon.  This film takes any impact to the window, or door and spreads it out over a much greater surface area making it much harder to break into windows.

Now if you do not want to install this film, but you still want to protect your windows, you can install window glass break alarms.  If glass breaks, an alarm will sound.  This will either alert someone that something is happening or it will scare off an intruder.

Another way to secure your windows is to make sure they can’t be opened if you haven’t locked them.  There is something called Window Bully which works to a window as a doorstop works to your door.

(7) Activity on Your Street

Believe it or not, being outside, having your kids outside, having people who work in their yards and walk their dogs is a huge step toward security not only in your house but for your entire neighborhood.  Know your neighbors.  Talk to them!  Interact with them.  On one news program that I watched where a former burglar took a member of the news around with him in a vehicle.  When they drove through a neighborhood where people were out and about, working in their yards, walking, talking with neighbors, etc.;  the burglar said that he would never go into a neighborhood like that.  It would be hard to do that and to not be seen.

So we can love our neighbors AND keep them safe by getting to know them and being happy to be seen outside talking with them.  That’s one of the most exciting things that I learned researching for this article.

Other tips

So, things that I listed above have been noted as being deterrents to theft in your house.  I found some other helpful tips that I also want to pass along.

If you have locks on your doors, actually USE them.  About 1/3 of burglaries are not committed by forced entry!

Have a burglar decoy box with some cash, fake jewelry, and important looking papers planted in a dresser drawer could get someone one out fairly quickly with really nothing of value.

Shut your blinds at night or everyone can see into your house and know exactly what is where.

And What About You?

What steps have you taken or do you plan on taking to secure your home.  Is there anything in the article that surprised you?  I’d love to hear.  Leave me a comment below.

Together lets Love, Learn, Practice, Overcome

 

Link to the article: https://ayearwithoutthegrocerystore.com/start-prepping-security-home/

Related articles: https://garagedoormastersblog.wordpress.com/2017/03/07/sectioned-garage-door-vs-solid-garage-door-pros-and-cons/

For further assistance in home security, click here for more: http://unioncitygaragedoorrepair.net/

Article source here: Start Prepping Here – Personal Safety Part 2 – Securing Your Home

Home Security and Safety Tips for Single Women Living Alone

by Susan B

The security at home essay reminded of something that happened to me a few years back. I was having another sleepless night a few months after my husband had passed away, I fell asleep around 3 AM, I woke up 20 or 30 minutes later to my back door being kicked in, a man screaming to let him in.

I was certain he could not gain entry as I’d replaced the door when I first bought the place with a metal door and I had every type of bar and safety feature on this door to make sure it could never be rammed in.

I told him I called 911, my dog was very old and he had hit her hard enough she was hiding from him but still barking. After the longest 15 minutes of yelling and pounding on my door the cops finally arrived and as they were hauling him away he reiterated I should have let him in, he was at a party gone bad and some guys were chasing him, so he said.

I certain as were the officers he was very drugged up. I told him if he’d been able to gain entry I would have had to shoot him with the 12 gauge shotgun I was holding and I certainly would have blown his F&^%ing head off.

My husband always said to keep the shotgun loaded where you can get to it fast, also a handgun, I tried to load the chamber of one of his .45 handguns but I was shaking so bad I couldn’t do it, not that I relished the idea of using it anyway, thankfully there was a shotgun ready to go and I have used one often enough before to be comfortable with.

I lived at the time in a low crime area in the suburbs, I/we were there 12 years and nothing had ever happened before.

Soon after I went and got my concealed carry and bought a new handgun I was comfortable using, a Glock 19. I have it next to me on my nightstand right now. I put it up if anyone is coming over. I have several hidden in other parts of the house as well. It did get me thinking about home safety. No matter how safe you think your area is you should be prepared.

It is a good idea to take a close look at your home from a viewpoint of how easy it would be for someone to gain entry. I think it is a good idea to make it so people have no way of knowing when your home, cover garage windows.

Don’t answer the door if you don’t know who is standing there, have a way to see who is there without them seeing you. Make sure to have an extra layer of protection at all doors and windows, I had alarms on everything and storm shutters on all windows.

The front door entry was gated. I now live out in the country and am working toward the same level of security here. Sometimes it isn’t someone from outside your area that is your biggest threat but someone living not very far away.

I have a yapper dog that keeps me aware of people pulling down my driveway. I have a gate and I intend to add another further down the driveway, it is a very long driveway.

You’d be surprised how easy the average door is to kick open, get some safety bars or other such gizmos to make it nearly impossible without a ramming bar from a swat team. They don’t cost all that much and are easy to install. Use long screws and make sure you’re attaching to the framing studs and not just the trim.

I have several driveway alarms as well, one for each side of the house; I have the beams set at different angles from the window and a few outside as well at a height that keeps them from going off from small animals. I find the dogs are the better bets as alarms.

The driveway alarms are always on sale at harbor freight and they are very user-friendly. I bought the other items online or at local hardware stores. Even a simple hasp for a back door with a sturdy padlock can help slow down an intruder. I also have door stop alarms.

There are new types of sensor alarms that will call 911 and tell them you have an intruder, these are stand-alone alarms not connected to an alarm company that charges you a monthly fee. They do need a phone line though. There are alarms that go off if someone outside puts their hand on your doorknob or handle. These are but a few of the multitude available these days.

Not many of us will have a well-trained law enforcement man in the house, maybe not even close by, so we need to eliminate as best we can the possibility of an intruder/robber etc by using the means we have available to make our homes less of a target.

There are all kinds of home security products one can utilize and install without the help of professionals these days that can add to our home security. Just as now is the time to prepare with food, water, energy, etc it is also the time to heighten security in our homes.

Learn what guns may be best for your home or person. I gravitated to what I was comfortable and familiar with; it may not be a right fit for others.

To have things in order enough to eliminate concerns over a home intrusion to a significant degree gives me peace of mind.

Make sure to have a neighbor you trust most number on your speed dial in case you need their help. Often just a drive or walk by can cause a potential intruder to change their plans and leave. Fake or real cameras posted signs of security systems, and neighborhood watch signs all help. But most of all make it one of the most difficult homes to gain entry, without looking like you have much of anything worth stealing or being too obvious.

Here in the south it just looks like I’m more prepared for a hurricane or tornado, even still it makes my home less of an easy target than many of the other homes in the area. I don’t put out adornments to keep up with the Jones that would give anyone a clue to there being anything worth stealing behind my doors. I believe this to be a prudent future trend we’ll all see more of. You want to be as invisible as you can be. No expensive new cars or toys to draw attention to you will be the order of the day. Why advertise you have anything worth taking you down for?

I love this blog and I really enjoy reading what you all have to say about everything, many of you have an enormous amount of horse sense in a time when it is rarely found.

I’m looking forward to reading all your thoughts and ideas on home security for us women living alone and lay people…

Link to the article: https://mdcreekmore.com/home-security-tips-for-single-women-living-alone/

Related articles: https://homecontrolsblog.com/2017/01/10/simple-home-security-checklist/

For further assistance in home security, click here for more: http://unioncitygaragedoorrepair.net/

Article source here: Home Security and Safety Tips for Single Women Living Alone

Prevention is Better and Cheaper than Cure: How Parents Can Secure the Safety of Their Children at Home

February 16, 2019

If you ask any parent what’s the hardest thing they’ve ever had to do in their lives, most would probably tell you it’s having a baby. It’s by far the most exhausting and challenging task a human can be charged with, and not everyone who sets out to do it is actually up to the responsibility. One of the biggest concerns about raising a child is keeping them safe, whether it’s from psychological damage or bullying or, the fact that they’re different. But at a younger age, it’s usually simpler than all that. You don’t find yourself really worried about what your kid’s opinion in politics is; at a young age, it’s all about keeping them safe.

So, how can you secure your home for your children, to avoid any problems and injuries and unnecessary treatments?

Fire protection

You’d be surprised how easily and quickly a house fire can break out. They happen because of cooking accidents, electrical plug malfunctions, and possibly kids playing with lights or matches. It’s essential that you have working fire alarms in your home for fire safety. True, they can go off at random times and be annoying, but when an actual fire does happen, and this saves you, you’ll be grateful.

Window proofing

Statistics show that every year, thousands of children end up in hospitals or worse due to falling off from windows. You need to install window bars to make them safe for children, or a stop that would prevent the window from fully opening.

Sharp objects

You need to be thorough with this one. Make sure the house is clear from any exposed sharp objects. This can range from scissors lying on the table to kids toys themselves not properly shelved. Also, table and chairs pointed corners should be properly covered in a layer or coating to protect the children running aimlessly in the house.

Poisoning

Poisoning is also one of the most prominent causes of injuries to toddlers and young kids. You need to understand that kids are very curious, which means they’ll grab anything and put it in their mouths. So, you need to make sure to keep all possible sources away from them. Also, there are worse things to get poisoned; carbon monoxide poisoning is one of the worst because, most of the time, people don’t even realize they’re being poisoned.

Sources of carbon monoxide in the house include grills, power tools, heaters and stoves, and most electrical appliances. So, you need to be really careful and aware of how to use those in order to keep your kids safe from the very harmful carbon monoxide, which is just hanging around the house as an accident waiting to happen. Also, get a carbon monoxide detector.

Fewer chemicals, more organic material

If you happen to be living on a farm or something, chances are you’ll be suffering from annoying pest problems. It’s vital not to get carried away with the use of chemical pesticides because those can have some serious effects on your children’s health in the short and long runs. Instead, opt for organic, homemade pesticides which handle the problem without the damage of the chemicals.

Exercise sound judgment

At the end of the day, the goal here is keeping your kids safe. That means you need to exercise good judgment and ask yourself what in the household might be a danger to them. Pretend you’re a baby, curious and stupid, and see what might spark your interest to eat or shove somewhere, and then safeguard that item. You will need to give the house proofing process its due time.

Link to the article: https://www.sochealth.co.uk/sp/prevention-is-better-and-cheaper-than-cure-how-parents-can-secure-the-safety-of-their-children-at-home/

Related articles: https://fresnodad.wordpress.com/2017/08/04/national-council-for-home-safety-and-security-offers-helpful-tips-for-every-family/

For further assistance in home security, click here for more: http://unioncitygaragedoorrepair.net/

Article source here: Prevention is Better and Cheaper than Cure: How Parents Can Secure the Safety of Their Children at Home

Top home maintenance tips

Contributing Writer : Jessica Jacobs

Whether you own a home or rent, most likely your home is the single biggest investment in your life. Just like your physical health, taking care of a home well requires effort, but it doesn’t always need to be a chore. More importantly, getting your home maintenance checklist and schedule in order can save you time and money in the future. HVAC systems will operate more smoothly; roofs will have less leaks; appliances like your laundry machine and dishwasher will last longer. Simply put, your home will thank and reward you for taking care of it.

But where does one start? Home maintenance can feel like a very daunting task. Luckily, we’ve put together a guide of top home maintenance tips. Learn to avoid common home maintenance pitfalls, understand the essential tasks to do regularly, and even get your home set up on autopilot. Keep reading, and you’ll see why a little investment in learning the basics now can pay off in spades down the line.

1. Avoid common home maintenance mistakes

When you own or even rent a home, you take maintenance and upkeep for granted. It’s just something you do every day. You may not even realize that you’re doing something unnecessary or, heaven forbid, incorrectly. Keep up your home in a way you’re proud of by avoiding some common mistakes.

Even if you just do a few little things every day around the house, you keep your house a place you’re not only proud of, but an investment that only increases in value over the years.

2. Understand the vital home maintenance tasks that should be done regularly

Cleaning your house is a normal part of your routine, but what about home maintenance? This is not about replacing light bulbs or unclogging the toilet every once in a while. What about keeping up the areas of your house that you usually don’t think about?

Ignoring certain items around the house can cause serious problems down the line. Whether it’s the hot water heater, the dryer, or roof, some of these easily forgotten things need more of your attention than you’ve been giving them.

3. Keep your bathroom in order, including the tank

How often do you open the toilet tank and peak inside? Many of the stains happening in the toilet bowl could be coming from your tank. No one wants to clean the bathroom, but everyone enjoys and appreciates it when the bathroom is clean.

It may be surprising, but there are many ways you can cut the time you spend cleaning and have a cleaner bathroom. You don’t have to rush out and buy fancy products or commercial cleaners.

4. Don’t forget about your air ducts

You might need to clean your air ducts if you notice you’re sneezing more often or your home has recently undergone renovations. Otherwise, it probably isn’t necessary. But cleaning your air ducts ensures that your heating and air conditioning systems run more smoothly because the parts won’t be slowed down with dirt and dust.

Different types of duct systems exist, but the process of cleaning them is generally the same. Clean the vents and ducts, and replace your furnace filter while your at it. You might not get all of the dirt out, but your air ducts are sure to be cleaner than they were before you started!

5. Don’t forget about the lawn

Summer times means green lawns and spending time outside with family and friends. You want to make sure your entertainment space is gorgeous and vibrantly green.

There are many things that can take the green out of your grass, leaving your yard with unsightly brown patches. These tips can help keep your grass green and beautiful all season long, making it the perfect backdrop for entertaining.

6. Know how to apply caulk the right way

Re-caulking a bathroom yourself can save you a lot of time and money. Here are a couple of tips you’ll want to watch out for. First and foremost, you want to make sure you properly remove the old caulk. Depending on the type of caulk, the removal process is a little bit different. Prepping the surface before you caulk is key, including removing any existing mold. Second, you want to invest in a proper caulk gun as well as caulk itself. For instance, the caulk for kitchen and bath is typically labeled for kitchen and bath use only.

Whether you rent or own, taking care of a home is hard work. There are routine maintenance procedures you must know to keep your house in good working condition and to help save money in the long run. Unfortunately, not all the secrets are told to you by your landlord or your real estate agent. Thankfully you need not worry, as the following is a list of solutions to common household problems that you should know about. Most of the fixes are very doable yourself.

7. Clean the dryer

You might not think too much about cleaning your dryer. After all, the only thing it does is dry clothes that are already clean. But the inside of your dryer can get pretty dirty, especially if you don’t clean the lint out of it on a regular basis. Without regular care, the dryer machine just won’t last as long. Plus, it doesn’t help your clothes.

Keeping your dryer clean doesn’t actually take too much work and can save a lot of money. As long as you have the tools to remove the lint stuck in the vent and you have a few old towels on hand, you can quickly clean it up without wasting too much of your day.

8. Put your home on auto pilot

Sometimes you can’t remember what you had to eat yesterday, much less remember the last time you changed your air filter. Take a load off your mind and still maintain your home perfectly by putting some of these tasks on autopilot.

Here are some ways to help yourself remember to do certain tasks meant to make keeping up your home less of a burden, especially if you are a homeowner trying to save money on repairs and other costs of running a home.

Link to the article: https://cooktopcove.com/2019/02/13/top-home-maintenance-tips/

Related articles: https://247wallst.com/housing/2018/05/13/6-home-maintenance-chores-to-do-now/

For further assistance in home security, click here for more: http://unioncitygaragedoorrepair.net/

Article source here: Top home maintenance tips