Here are some important things to keep in mind to keep you and your family safe:

· If you think someone has been electrocuted, follow these precautions:

- Look, but do not touch the person. They may still be in contact with the source of electricity, and the current can pass to you

- Have someone call 911 or find a trained medical professional

- Turn off the source of electricity, if possible. If you use an object that will not conduct electricity (such as a piece of wood, cardboard, or plastic) you can move the

source away from the victim

- After the person is free from the electric source, begin CPR if necessary after you’ve checked his/her breathing and pulse rate.

- Elevate the person’s legs to slightly higher than the had–the victim look pale, or may feel faint, or show other signs of shock.

- Be sure the individual gets medical help because burns can occur inside the body due to electrical shock. Do not remove clothing–or cover burns–these are important clues as to what injuries the victim may have sustained internally

· Never turn power on or off or use any type of electrical appliance or tools if you are standing in water–even if it’s only a small amount! Items that have been exposed to water need to be checked by a Certified Electrician.

· Call your local power company to report fallen or damaged power lines

· NEVER touch a fallen power line, and avoid any contact with overhead lines even if you

are trying to clean up an area.

· If there are downed power lines in standing water, do not drive your car through that water.

· If a power line falls across your car when you are in it, stay inside the car and drive away. If the engine stalls, DO NOT turn off the ignition. Let other people know who may try to help you that they should not touch the line, or your car. Emergency services and the local utility company need to be called to assist you. It is too dangerous for individuals who are no professionally trained to aid you.

· Generators must have automatic interrupt devices–In the event of an electrical outage, these units—if attached to your home’s electrical circuit became dangerous and may become a major fire hazard once power is restored.

Even the smallest of wading pools can drown a young child, for a specific reason. Young children are still developing–their bodies are trying to catch up with their heads. Because of the weight and size of a child’s head, it makes it difficult for them to lift their heads up, should they become submerged under as little as 2 inches of water.

Statistics state that 65% of submersion incidents occur at the child’s home pool, with 33% of the incidents happening in the pool at the home of a relative or friend. Most often, the parents were home, and the children were being supervised by one or both parents, who simply did not expect their child to be near the pool. Toddlers in particular (1-3 years old) are learning new things every day, so their movements are unforeseen. With 75% of incidents occurring in this age-range, toddlers are at the highest risk–a newly acquired skill or developing curiosity leads them to the pool. Another dire result of disregarding the dangers inherent in pools is that many victims don’t die from drowning–but may be severely brain damaged.

Parents who own pools can take their own precautions to reduce the chances of their youngsters accessing the family pool or spa without adult supervision.

It is important to note that child drowning is a silent death. There’s no splashing to indicate trouble. In the time it takes to answer the front door, a child can drown if not watched–75% of victims were out of sight for less than 5 minutes.

So what precautions can a parent take to protect their children? Below are some tips to put your mind at ease:

• Never leave your children alone in or near the pool, even for a moment. An adult who knows CPR should actively supervise children at all times.

• Practice touch supervision with children younger than 5 years.

This means that the adult is within an arm’s length of the child at all times.

You must put up a fence to separate your house from the pool.

Most young children who drown in pools wander out of the house and fall into the pool. Install a fence at least 4 feet high around all 4 sides of the pool. This fence will completely separate the pool from the house and play area of the yard. Use gates that self-close and self-latch, with latches higher than your children’s reach.

For More Important Pool Safety Tips visit:

http://www.aap.org/FAMILY/TIPPPOOL.HTM

Focus is the most important way to maintain personal safety. It’s the small things that will keep you safe: Remembering where you parked your car, so you don’t have to wander blindly through a dark lot at night. Thinking about the fact that you will be leaving a place alone late at night, and arranging an escort to take you to your car (or parking close to the building to minimize your walk in the dark.) Focusing on your surroundings and assessing your vulnerability requires you to be not only present, but also to think ahead. When you are alone you are most open to mishaps. You need to be on the alert at all times. Note if there is anybody following you. Pay attention to groups who seem to be interested in your movements. Careful observation will alert you if there is a car or van parked right next to yours in a virtually empty lot. Is there a passenger in a parked car sitting next to your driver’s side? Always have your keys in hand when preparing to drive, this way you will not be distracted while digging around for them in a bag or pocket. Lastly, walk as upright and with purpose as possible. Don’t look like a victim.

Being watchful, alert and focused on your safety can keep you safe.

•    Know the specific airline regulations for the airline with which you will be flying by visiting their websites,

•    The majority of airlines allow one carry-on bag and what is called a personal bag. This “personal bag” can be a purse or tote-bag, a briefcase or laptop case or even a camera case. It should also be able to fit under the seat if you have another carry-on, because there is often no available storage for two pieces in the overhead compartments.. Carry-on items should be no larger than 45″ (measure the height, length and width–if over 45″ in any of these measurements–it’s too big for carry-on.) Some of the airlines also have a weight restriction. Be sure to check with the airline you’re using before you get to the airport.

•    If you are taking a laptop case, you’ll need to remove it from your carry-on bag and send it through security separately. If you travel frequently with your laptop and want to protect it as it goes down the conveyor belt, consider purchasing laptop sleeves for added protection.

•    If you use lightweight luggage with wheels that has a matching tote bag that fits on top of the carry-on bag, that is considered two pieces. Under most circumstances you will not be able to bring an additional purse, computer bag or tote. You usually cannot take a third bag no matter how small unless it will fit inside.

•    Airline regulations restrict the amount of liquids or gels you can take onto a plane. Liquid substances (such as shampoo, hairsprays, mouthwash, lotions) carried onto the airplane must be in a clear, zippered one-quart sized bag and the containers inside cannot weigh more than 3 ounces. Manufacturers in the travel business have made special cases (3-1-1 case) with the appropriately sized containers included. You can fill the bottles or spray containers with your own products. These bottles are re-useable. The container for your liquids must be removed from your carry-on and sent through security separately.

•    Think about how you dress to travel, and keep in mind that metal objects will need to be removed from your person. This means belts with buckles, larger pieces of jewelry and most watches. If you want to move quickly through the line, remove these items before arriving at the airport. Shoes must also be removed and sent through security separately, as well as any jacket, sweater or coat you are wearing. Change in your pockets and your wallet will need to be put in your carry bag. Keys will also need to be removed and placed in your carry bag. All these items will need to be put onto the conveyor belt prior to your stepping through the metal detector. Also, have at the ready a note from your doctor if you’ve had any type of surgery that has used metal pins, plates, balls or devices that remain in your body.

•    Lastly, don’t over-pack (if you have to sit on your suitcase in order to close it, you’ve over-packed!) If security needs to go through your bag or perhaps remove items, it will be difficult to re-pack and will prevent you from moving expediently to the gate.

In the unfortunate event that your house is broken into while you’re home, there are some basic guidelines. These tips come from defense training professionals, police departments, and citizen-organized safety programs. Following are a few to think about NOW to avoid danger LATER.

•    If your door or window is broken into, home security alarms will be engaged. Be sure your system is programmed so the monitoring center will receive the alert if/when that happens, and then phone your home. Do NOT answer the phone if there is a burglar or prowler in your home–you won’t need to–the center will assume it is a true breach of security and dispatch assistance. In most cases, if the phone rings, the burglar will be alert to the fact that there is a home security system, and flee.

•    If you do not have a home security alarms, you will need to call for help yourself. A burglar may take a landline off the hook, so use your cell phone. make sure it is properly charged all the time, and nearby. Give the authorities as much information as you can and quickly. Be as specific as possible. (Here’s an idea if you don’t have an alarm system: Call your own land line quietly from your cell phone–the burglar will think he has tripped an alarm and flee!!)

•    Determine in advance which room in your home could be a designated “safe room.” This would be a room with a deadbolt lock that opens out (so an intruder cannot kick it in and get to you on the other side). Keep a charged cell phone in this room. Consider purchasing a metal brace to reinforce the door at your local home improvement store. Install and instruct deadbolts for children’s bedrooms. Instruct them on when and how to use them.

•    You’ll have to evaluate the situation and decide if you should remain or flee. The professionals suggest you take these few points into consideration:

-    If the room you are in is on the first floor, you may be able to leave through a window. If a second-story floor, consider using a fire escape ladder, if you have one. Don’t risk leaving out a window on higher floors.
-    Consider what is at the base of your exit–you don’t want to land on anything dangerous that could cause you physical injury
-    If you stay, get to your designated “safe room” and push furniture in front of the door. Use the charged cell phone in the room to call for help. Do not confront the intruder

Developing a strategy to protect your family and possessions could minimize the impact of a home invasion on your safety. Be prepared, and Be careful.

First and foremost you need to purchase homeowner’s insurance. That way, if all the safety precautions you take fail, you will still be able to be compensated for the loss of any valuables. You will in most cases receive a discount for installing a security alarm, and many insurance companies require a security system prior to issuing a homeowner’s insurance policy.

Store your jewelry, credit cards, money and other valuables either at your bank or in a safe. Do not leave valuables in plain sight for passerby to see. Consider purchasing a home safe to secure valuables out of sight.

When you do install an alarm system, be sure it includes alarm monitoring. That way, the police will be contacted immediately, and there is a record of alarm activity, which is important to verify protective measures, should you need to enforce your homeowner’s insurance.

Motion detectors are also helpful to keep intruders from entering your yard or home. Motion detectors are most often installed near windows and doors so you are aware of any movement within the house whether you are home or not. The alarm system is triggered by the motion detector and the police will be contacted.

Don’t make it easy for burglars to enter your house. Lock all the doors and windows. Consider purchasing a dog that barks to scare off intruders, and as a further deterrent, display a “beware of dog” sign on the outside of your home. The same goes for alarm systems–posting stickers or signage that indicates your home is secured with an alarm will keep intruders at bay.

Join your neighborhood watch program. You may need to initiate a program, if there isn’t a group in your neighborhood. There is strength in numbers, and knowing your neighbors and helping to keep an eye out for each other can be helpful, especially if someone is out of town. Elderly and disabled neighbors are particularly vulnerable to criminals. Vigilance in protecting your own community creates a safe neighborhood and can protect property value.

•    Front Entrance Light
•    Garage Light
•    Back Patio Light
•    Mail Box Light
•    Driveway Light
•    Pool Patio Light

Don’t forget, it takes 2 or 3 days for the solar light battery to be well charged and ready to operate, so plan accordingly. Also, to stay in excellent working order, the solar panel needs to be cleaned regularly.

Honda Civic
Nissan Sentra
Toyota pick-up truck
Toyota Camry
Dodge Caravan
Chevy full size 1500 pick-up truck
Honda Accord
Acura Integra
Dodge Ram
Ford F150 truck

It is important to note that if you own one of these vehicles, (and also depending on the area in which you keep your vehicle) your car insurance rate may increase due to the theft rate of these automobiles.

To keep your car (no matter what the make) from being stolen and adding to the statistics, below are some steps to avoid becoming a victim of auto theft.

• Lock the Car It takes just a moment for someone to steal your car. Lock it, even if you are only going to be away from it for a few minutes. Never leave your keys in the ignition. It is just too easy and too tempting for someone to steal it. Be sure ALL the doors are locked so that nobody can slip into the back passenger seats while you are away. There have been reports of would-be criminals sneaking into backseats (of women’s cars particularly) while women were inside paying for gas at service stations. Remember, it’s not only your car you want to protect, but your own safety, as well.

• Hide or Remove Valuables Remove or hide items like MP3 players, expensive car stereos, gifts, luggage, cell phones, sunglasses, ipods, money, credit cards, checkbooks, cigarettes, etc. Quite often, thieves are not interested in stealing your car, but rather valuables inside of the car. Don’t let these items be in plain view. Better yet, remove them from the car.

• Tricked Out Cars are Magnets If you add fancy accessories to your vehicle, you are drawing attention to it. Fancy paint jobs, spoilers, expensive rims, body kits, and the like make it more attractive to a thief. Store your showy vehicles out of sight from car-lovers and thieves.

• Install Security Systems The truth is, a skilled auto thief can thwart nearly any type of security device. However, some security systems can at the very least scare away or slow down any would-be thieves.

Fortunately, there are a variety of auto security systems to choose from. Visit Auto Security to read more about Vehicle Security Devices.

Below are 10 Security Tips for apartment complex inhabitants. Law enforcement in many major cities is providing safety information and news alerts to keep renters safe. Below are the first three.

Ten Security Tips

1. Chain locks offer little protection and cheap locks can be disabled easily. If the apartment does not have a good deadbolt lock on the door, ask permission of the apartment manager to put one on the door. Do be certain that the management has a key if they need to gain access into your apartment.

2. Never leave your apartment door unlocked. This includes when you leave to get the mail or take out the trash. Someone lurking in the breezeway could gain access quickly.

3. Most apartment complexes have peepholes already installed on the door. If not, ask if you can install one for your added safety.

Please visit: Apartment Safety Tips

Consider first all the possible safety protection tools you can use; perhaps pepper spray, mace, a taser or a personal alarm is a better option for you.

• If you have already purchased a stun gun, make sure that you know how to use it. Every stun gun should have directions, take the time to learn how this weapon works. Do not wait until you are attacked to know how to use your stun gun.

• A stun gun can be dangerous in the wrong hands. Be sure it is secured just the same as a firearm, so children cannot handle it. It may look like a toy, but in a child’s hands it could be truly harmful. Remember, only use it when absolutely necessary and remember, a stun gun in the hands of an attacker can become a weapon turned on you. Don’t forget that the element of surprise is important if you want this to be an effective deterrent to attackers and to keep yourself from becoming a victim of your own weapon.

• It is important to note that stun guns are ILLEGAL in the following states: Illinois, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Wisconsin.