Fire Blanket Safety in the Home

Fire Blanket Safety in the Home
by: Mark Fynn

While many of those employed in the emergency services can see the importance of having a fire blanket in the home the same cannot be said for the general public. It is an unfortunate fact most people either ignore the dangers associated with home fires or they just do not realize the dangers that exist.

Most house fires start in the kitchen which accounts for almost 28 percent of all fires in the home. This is a very high number and most fires in the kitchen are caused by either a lack of concentration or because the person was interrupted by an unexpected occurrence. This could be something simple such as the telephone ringing, a caller at the door or maybe one of your children needs your immediate attention.

One of the main causes of fire in the kitchen is when dealing with very hot oil. If not monitored it can reach such high temperatures as to catch alight in an instant. When this happens instant panic will set-in as you try to find a very quick solution while under intense stress and trauma. Most people would dampen a towel under the tap and throw the soaking material over the flames. Smothering the fire does work because it starves the flames of the oxygen they need. But using a small towel to do it causes more danger.

Many people who have tried this method have the burn scars to prove it. The problem is that you feel you have to get very close to the fire to douse the flames. If you miss you may not get a second chance so you get as close as you can get. This is where the severe burning takes place. It may not be the actual flames that cause the skin damage, it could be just the intense heat. Other people have been burned because they may have missed the target and try to retrieve the cloth to try again. This time you may have a partly burning cloth to contend with as well as a fire that is on the verge of getting out of control.

Fire blankets are recommended by all the emergency services and people involved in health and safety. They immediately know the safety benefits that fire blankets can bring when used correctly. They should be made easily accessible near an exit doorway. Never hide them away in draws or cupboards and expect to find them easily when a fire takes hold. Placing them near to an exit ensures that you have away out should the fire blanket not be enough or if things go wrong.

Fire blankets are also ideal for covering someone who has actually caught fire and can also be worn over the head if you need to pass an area that is on fire or where extreme temperatures are causing difficulty. Protecting the vital organs is the most important factor when you are confronted with fire.

Fire blankets can be purchased in many DIY stores and hardware shops and the costs varies with the type and size you need. Many of the fire blankets can be reusable after washing though you will need to check the supporting documents for confirmation of this.

Every home should have a fire blanket located in the kitchen or where cooking takes place. When you consider the minimal cost to purchase one against the protection they provide for your home, your personal effects and of course your loved ones they will be one of the best investments you can ever make.

About The Author
Mark Fynn writes many articles for specialist web sites and you can find more information about fire blankets here Fire Blankets.

Video Surveillance

Video Surveillance
by: Ralph Winn

The dependability and prevalence of video surveillance cameras has increased dramatically in the past decade. Numerous home and business owners have integrated video surveillance cameras into their security systems to ensure safety, crack down on regulations, and catch criminals in the act. Video surveillance is considered covert when the cameras are hidden or aren't identifiable. Video surveillance is largely legal in the United States, as long as it doesn't directly infringe on a person's fourth amendment right to privacy.

Uses of Covert Video Surveillance

"A picture is worth a thousand words". This saying rings true in court. According to a recent study, when a jury is presented with video surveillance footage, it is twice as likely to convict as when not shown video surveillance evidence. The strategic placement of covert video surveillance cameras aid in the detection and prosecution of vandalism, theft, child abuse, elder neglect, stalking, and harassment.

Some of the more common places to use covert video surveillance are homes, casinos, police stations, nursing homes, construction sites, prisons, hospitals and retail stores.

Monitoring the activities of nannies and household help with covert video surveillance cameras is a growing trend. Due to recent advances in technology, cameras are now small enough to be hidden in many home items such as teddy bears, house plants, clocks, and wall paintings.

Video Surveillance Laws

Most video surveillance is legal in the United States. The majority of video surveillance laws concern the invasion of privacy with the use of covert video surveillance. The use of covert video surveillance is particularly controversial in areas in which a high level of personal privacy is expected, such as locker rooms, dressing rooms, bedrooms, and bathroom stalls. There are some general guidelines to follow to ensure the legality of your video surveillance system.

Covert video surveillance is illegal when audio surveillance is also taking place, and if the it is done without the consent of those being monitored and the person being monitored by the video surveillance has a reasonable expectation of privacy.

Covert video surveillance may be illegal when the video surveillance encourages an illegal activity and the subject under video surveillance has a right to counsel, as when being questioned by law authorities and the person in charge of the premises have not given permission for video surveillance.

If you opt to incorporate a covert video surveillance system into your home or business, consult with a lawyer or your local law enforcement agency to ensure your compliance with local, state, and federal video surveillance laws.

Many independent studies in the United States and United Kingdom have suggested that video surveillance acts as a powerful deterrent, stopping crimes before they happen. Studies also show strong evidence that video surveillance systems can be an extremely effective tool in detection and prosecution.

About The Author
Ralph Winn has over 32 years of experience in the security industry. Throughout his career, he has developed cost effective security programs for numerous small, medium, large commercial and government properties and for many nationally known corporations. Home Security Store.

Residential Crime Prevention Starts With Taking The Proper Steps To Secure The Outside Of Your Home

Residential Crime Prevention Starts With Taking The Proper Steps To Secure The Outside Of Your Home.
by: Ralph Winn

Common sense dictates us to lock our doors at night and when we are away from home, but residential crime prevention comes in many other shapes and sizes. Effective residential crime prevention depends on everything from properly fitted doors to stopping your mail delivery when away on vacation.

The Basics

Residential crime prevention starts with taking the proper steps to secure the outside of your home. Basic residential crime prevention measures include installing outside floodlights, keeping your yard clutter free, pruning shrubbery so it doesn't hide windows and doors and cutting tree limbs back from upper-level windows.

Not every intrusion can be prevented. Knowing what to do when faced with different situations not only protects your possessions but can save your life. Ask all service and delivery people for proper photo identification, do not enter your home if something looks questionable, such as a broken window, opened door, or slit screen and leave your home immediately if you suspect someone is breaking into your home, and if you can't leave safely, lock yourself in a room and call 911.

Doors and Locks

Burglars, on average, spend no more than 60 seconds trying to gain access to a home. Installing proper doors and locks on your home makes breaking in more difficult and often deters burglars. The following guidelines for doors and locks significantly improve residential crime prevention: install solid wood or metal doors, fit each exterior door with properly fitted dead bolts, do not rely on knob locks or door chains; they are easily broken, secure sliding glass doors with commercial grade locks or place a sturdy dowel in the door track and never hide keys around the outside of your home; instead give a spare to a trustworthy neighbor.

Alarm Systems

An alarm system installed in your home, especially if you live in a secluded area or high-crime neighborhood, can provide needed residential crime prevention. To achieve effective residential crime prevention, you first need to evaluate your home's needs. Your home's location and surroundings determine the level of residential crime prevention you need.

About The Author
Ralph Winn has over 32 years of experience in the security industry. Throughout his career, he has developed cost effective security programs for numerous small, medium, large commercial and government properties and for many nationally known corporations. Home Security Store.

Protecting Your Home With A Home Security System

Protecting Your Home With A Home Security System
by: Michael Colucci

No matter where you live, it is important for you to make sure your home is secure. If you have your own home, it is likely that you are paying a lot of money to maintain it. The last thing you need is someone robbing you or destroying the property that you've worked hard for years to acquire and maintain. By using a home security system, you will be comfortable in knowing your property is protected. In a sense, even though most people living in apartments do not own them, they are more at risk of being robbed than people who live in their own homes. This should give them an even bigger reason to purchase home security systems.

Keeping the home secure should be important to anyone who values their freedom and the things they've worked hard to acquire. It isn't enough to simply depend on your local law enforcement agencies. More often than not, by the time the police arrive, it is already too late. It is much easier to take the necessary stepts to protect your home instead of trying to rely on law enforcement officials once your home has been robbed. Thieves have become more skilled than ever before. While adding a simple lock to your home may have worked 50 years ago, it is now easy to go online and find books which will tell you how to bypass a wide variety of locks.

When you talk to most people about home security systems, the first thing that comes to their mind is expensive equipment. While some of the home security systems available on the market can be expensive, there are cheaper options available, and you can get a great deal if you know where to look. Depending on where you live, you may already have high levels of security. This is especially true for people who live in gated communities. If you are about to move to a new location, you should spend a bit of time researching crime and statistics for the area in which you plan to move. Living in a high risk area can increase your chances of being robbed.

Another thing that you should watch is your personal habits. Many people have their homes broken into because they send signals to criminals that they have things that are worth stealing. While there is nothing wrong with wearing expensive jewelry and clothes, many people give off the signals that criminals need. In most cases, a thief won't break into your home unless they feel you have valuables. Driving around in an expensive car or wearing costly jewelry can make you a potential target.

A number of communities have started a "neighborhood watch program," and this is a low cost way that neighbors can work together to keep crime out of their neighborhood. In addition to installing cameras or alarms in your home, you may want to purchase a guard dog. Most intruders will turn the other way when they encounter a Rottweiler, Bull Mastiff, German Shepherd, or Doberman. It is also important for you to look at your living situation. Is there always somone at home? Or are you and your family constantly gone on trips? The answers you give to these questions should help you determine your security needs.

About The Author
Michael Colucci is a writer on Home Security Systems at Home Security Knowledge Search which is part of the Knowledge Search.