I suffered a light stroke and the doctors put me on several preventative medications so I would not have a re-occurence. We don’t have any small children around the house since all our children have grown and have their own homes. I got to looking at all my medications laying out in plain sight and realized in some homes this could be be hazardous. If we had some child visiting they could get a hold of them as well.

Taking care and knowing about your medications is indirectly part of home security. I felt the need to compile some thoughts that you might have overlooked.

Storage of drugs should be kept in a dry area away from heat. A bathroom or kitchen is not a good place to keep them. Do not leave your medications in your car. High heat can destroy them or make them ineffective.

Keep a list of all your medications and the dosages with you. If have to go to an emergency room, the treatment they give you may depend on what medications you are taking.

DO NOT take any medications prescribed to another person. Not all people react to medications the same way. You could have a reaction to that person’s drugs.

Drink at least 8oz of water when taking your medicine. Some pills will not work with just a swallow of water to get then down. Look at the instructions as to how to take them. Some medications are recommended to take with food. This may eliminate stomach irritation.

Do not keep old and expired drugs. Most drugs have time at which they no longer effective or safe to take. Flush old drugs down the toilet. Don’t throw out in the trash.

Don’t stop taking medications without consulting your doctor. This can lead to a serious condition that could be life threatening.

Take a look at your medicines when you pick them up from the pharmacy. Look at the color, size and shape. Get to know and recognize what your medications look like. Mistakes have been made filling or re-filling medications. Ask your pharmacist about any new medications prescribed to you. It’s the law in most states that the pharmacist has to give you this information.

When traveling, don’t pack your medications in your checked luggage. They can get lost. Keep the identification of your doctor, pharmacist, and prescription numbers with you while you travel.

If you take several different drugs it might not be wise to keep them together in the same container. Some drugs react with each other when they come in contact with each other. Again, ask your pharmacist.

There are several places you can learn more about the drugs you are taking. Some of these are: the internet, your local library ( the Physicians Desk Reference), the company that manufactures the drug, pamphlets at your doctors office and pharmacies.

Don’t take drugs lightly. The can be life savers or life killers.

Seldom do I endorse any company or product in a blog, but I have just installed two Weisser Powerbolt keyless dead bolts. One in my shop and the other on my office door. I am happy to report I am very pleased with their product.

The installation was very easy. All you need is a phillips head screw driver, a centering punch and hammer if you already have a dead bolt installed.. The instructions are clear and easy to follow. The installation takes only 15 to 30 minutes but a little longer if you have to drill a hole for the dead bolt.

You can gain access by either using the touchpad or with a key. You can have a second code you can give to a maid or any other person authorized to enter your home. Both codes can be changed if you hire a different domestic help at any time.

The lock runs on four AA batteries and has a warning light when they are getting low. If three wrong codes are entered into the keypad the lock will sound a beeping alarm. To lock the door you simply press the lock button in the center of the keypad. Placing the correct code into the keypad unlocks the door. It’s fast and easy.

The Locks can be purchased at most building supply company’s at about $99.00. I felt the added security and convenience was worth the cost.

I find only one draw back that you might consider. It has a manual lever on the inside of the door. If your door has window panels in it the Keyless lock can be unlocked by breaking the window and reaching in.

You can get additional information by calling 1-800-343-9652 or www.powerbolt.com

The FBI latest statistics are showing crime is increasing astronomically. There is a burglary taking place about every 25 minutes. Many of the items taken cannot be replaced. Family hierlooms, collections, anniversary gifts, electronics, computers, etc. Small items a burlar can carry off and pawn easily. When your computer is stolen there goes your personal identity too.

The average loss (after you settle with the insurance company) is over $1,000.00. You try your best to itemize the items stolen only to find out months later another item was stolen. It’s too late to claim that item then. It’s a good idea to video tape or hire someone to do it of all your valuables. Be sure there’s a good description of each item and if possible have an appraisal of it.

Single family homes are twice as likely to be burglarized than apartments or multiple family homes. Most burglaries occur while there is no one home. Criminals don’t like others around while they do their dirty work. If you happen to come home while the criminal is there DO NOT try to intervene. Leave the home immediately and call the police. Don’t re-enter the home until they clear it. Even though you might not see the burglar but suspect he’s there, back out and call the police. They will check your home for you. They would rather do that than set up a crime scene of a homicide. Remember, most often a person defending his/her home with a weapon have it turned on them. Don’t try it.

Unfortunately, most people don’t think or do anything about home security until they or someone they know has had a break-in. Burglars look at homes they think are easy targets. There’s many things you can do to make your home less likely to be burglarized. A lot of police departments will gladly send out an officer to survey your home and give you suggestions on home security. Take advantage of this service. It’s free and will possibly save you a lot of grief and aggrevation in the future. Hind sight is always 20/20.

The first place to look is the outside of your home. Here are some tips you might consider:

* Keep your yard well maintained. Make it look like someone is living there.
* Have good locks on windows and doors. Install reinforced deadbolts on all doors.
* Be sure all sliding doors cannot be lifted up out of their tract. You can drill a small hole at the bottom and place a nail through it so the door stays in place.
* Trim all shrubbery so as not to give a burglar a place to hide.
* Don’t display your family’s silver service or valubles in front of a picture window. That’s just an invitation to take it.
* Don’t hide a key anywhere outside your home. The best hiding place you can think of is probably the first place he will look. Leave a key with a trusted neighbor or friend.
* Be sure your mail box has a door on it that will not display your mail. A mail box full of mail is a good sign no one has been home for quite some time. If you are going to be away from home for any period of time have someone pick up your mail and news paper or have them stopped while you are gone.
* Don’t leave front door porch lights on during the day. That means you are away and won’t be home until after dark. That gives them an idea or time frame how long they have to steal from you. Have a light that comes on from dusk to dawn. That way you will not have a beacon telling would thief your family’s schedule.
* Of course, I’m a believer of home security systems. Burglars survey the neighborhoods and would rather not be interupted by a loud siren.
I recommend a loud siren alerting both the criminal and your neighbors that an intruder has been detected. Display the sign your security company where it can be easily seen. Studies have shown that has detoured thieves.
* If you are going away for a while call your local police department and tell them. They will cruise by your home more often.
* Do not leave ladders outside in your yard. Even if you do not have a two story home your neighbor might. You would be suprised as to how many people do not lock their upstairs windows.

Next blog we’ll discuss what to do on the inside of your home. When it comes to security, think about what you would do to gain access to your home if you were a criminal.

Home Invasions are increasing in occurrences at an alarming rate. The thugs are gettng bolder and more violent. They are planning their attacks and realize thieir intended victims will be caught unaware and surprised. Remember, his actions are well planned and he knows you are not expecting what he has planned for you. Suprise is his best weapon.

Police departments are constantly telling people NOT TO open your door to an unannounced delivery or supposed repairman. Yet it seems this caution by the police is being ignored by many people. Let’s take a look at some of the tricks invaders like to use.

GAS LEAK INSPECTION

A person dressed in a hard hat and maybe forged ID tag will come to your door and say they have been called. There is a gas leak in the neighborhood. I need to come in and inspect your home to make sure there isn’t a leak.

In reality, gas companies don’t check for gas leaks in your home unless you’ve called them. Thier duties only are to inspect and repair the gas lines in the ground throughout your area, not in your home. Stop and think about it. If there was a gas leak in your home, believe me, you would smell it. Gas company’s put special ingredients into the gas so you will smell any gas leak.

FLOWER SMALL PACKAGE DELIVERY

Flowers are hard to resist. If someone tries to deliver flowers or a small package don’t let them in. They do not have to come into your house to deliver a small package. You will know about any large package to be delivered and brought into your home. Large deliveries are always planned. If the person is insistant for you to open your door, especially if there is no special occasion such as a birthday or anniversary, etc. this should give you cause for concern. Call the police immediately.

ELECTRIC COMPANY REPAIRMAN

There in no reason for an electric company repairman to ask to come into your home. Their responsibility is only to work on the power lines outside of your home. If you had a problem in your home you have called a licensed electrician. Know the electrician you called ans ask for his identifcation when he arrives. If there is a question as to who he really is don’t call the phone number he gives you. Look up the company’s number in the phone book to confirm his identity. All electricians have to be licenced and carry the proper identifcation with them.

ALARM REPAIRMAN

Most pople that have an alarm system have a sign postd in front of thier home. This is a warning to a would be crimanal that you are protected by a security system. Some invaders will se this sign and pose as an alarm repairman. They will tell you thay are here to do preventitve maintence on your system and want to check to make sure it’s operating properly. Don’t believe them. These calls are usually planned ahead of time. Every alarm repairman is required to be licenced by the state he is working in. They ALL have to cary a picture ID an have gone through a security check by his company and state licensing commission. Again, don’t cnfirm his identity by the number he gives you.

Have all emergency numbers posted somewhere in your home with easy access. Have your doctor, alarm company, spouses work numbers, cell phones, gas, water, and electric comapnies number listed.

This time of the year identity theft is at it’s height. More people are filing their tax returns online. If you stop to think about it, your return has all the information needed to steal your identity. Therefore, it’s important to take steps to be sure this information is secure.

If your computer does not update your spyware daily, I recommend you install this feature before sending out your tax return on-line. It’s usually very simple and takes just a minute or two. My computer up-dates at 3am in the morning every day. You can set the time for your computer to up-date at any time you like. If you don’t have any protective spyware , you can download several different programs at a nominal fee. There are many free spyware programs available as well. Do some research, and decide which one best meets your needs. Talk to your friends or a computer center to see which one they recommend. I use AVG Spyware and have very pleased with it, and it’s free.

Windows Internet Explorer 7 browser also has a feature to keep your identity safer.

I talked about phishing in an earlier post. It’s when you are scammed into providing your personal data to an individual or company that are supposedly helping you. These emails usually tell you your account has been breached and they need this information to protect you. What they are actually doing is collecting your information to steal your identity. Before disclosing personal information, check out the company or website . Be sure they are legitimate as well as “a secure” website. If you feel you’ve sent your information to a fake, phishing, website report it immediately to the appropriate institutions. Such as: IRS , FTC , Federal Trade Commission and an organization called the Anti-Phishing Group. If you have used a credit card, call and cancel it. This will minimize any damage that might have been done.

You should also change your passwords on all your online accounts if you feel you’ve been compromised. Especially accounts related to any of your financial information.

A good program to download is Windows Defender. This program was originally called Windows Spyware and is a free Microsoft program. It reviews and protects against possible unwanted software.

The best defense against identity theft on the computer is educating yourself on ways people steal your identity and the programs available to protect yourself. It is important you up-date your security programs routinely.

Most people give the information a person needs to steal their identity without knowing it. Leaving documents around or throwing them in the trash is an example. Here are a few tips to safegaurd your idenity information.

* Buy a shredder. You can purchase one very inexpensively at any discount store. They simply fit over a trash can and will shred paper documents as well as the “old” credit card. First rule of thumb, shred all personal documents. Even those unsolicited credit applications your receive .

* Protect your social security and driver’s license numbers. Don’t give them out to someone you don’t know. Your driver’s license numer can be just as dangerous to give out as your social security number. This number tags you to your identity. That’s why all wotk and credit applications ask for it. If fact, it’s best not to carry your social security card with you. Remit it to memory. Don’t have these printed on your checks.

* Never give out personal information over the phone, internet or mail before you know who you are dealing with.

* Protect any of your passwords. Don’t use an obvious password like your birthday, street address, some numbers of your social security card or mother’s maiden name. If you have forgotten your password, be suspicious of any website you click on to have them email it back to you.

* Remember, even your residence may not be a safe place to keep personal documents. This especially true if you have a roomate, employ outside domestic help, do a lot of entertaining, or work done in your home.

* A lot of links on the internet are “trogan Horses.” Never click on any unsolicited email link. Use only a website address you know. Have a “firewall”, spyware or antivirus software added to your computer. I have all three on my computer. Some antivrus programs, such as AVG, are free and very good. Use a program that always up-dates your software. They can automatically do this daily even at a time you don’t use your computer.
*The government has a great site for additional information. If you need to file a complaint for some type of identity or would like more information, check this site.

As we are becoming a more “cash free” society, the crime of Identity Theft is increasing at an alarming rate. The criminals are also getting more sophisticated in their means to accquire your personal information. Identity Theft is a serious crime and can damage your credit without you knowing it. Getting your credit restored can be costly and it take s a long time to correct the damage done by Identity Theft.

The first line of defense is to know some of the many ways people steal your identity:
* If you see anyone going through a dumpster or someone’s trash, report it immediately. They may be looking for discarded bills, credit applications, or anything that might have any personal information on it.
*Do not give any information to someone calling you or emailing you trying to “up-date” your account informatiom. Banks and credit card companies do not do this. They already have your information.
*Be careful where you use your credit card. Some shady merchants may have a systen that duplicates your credit card infomation as you use your card. This is called “skimming.” This can occur on items you purchase over the internet as well. “Caveat empore”, let the buyer beware.
* Report immediately any bill that you were suppose to receive but it hasn’t arrive when you expected it. Criminals will take them out of your mail box to obtain your information. Don’t leave personal information in your desk or file cabinet at work.
* Another ploy is to put in a change of address form to another location to re-route your mail.
*They can steal your wallet or purse. Call your credit card companies and cancel your card. Also, report to the three major credit bureaus immediately. They can block anyone from changing or adding to your accounts. There is a toll free number for each bureau and when you report to them they are required by law to send you a “free” credit report.

The three main credit bureaus are:
Equifax 1-800-525-6285
Experian 1-888 397-3742
TransUnion 1-800-680-7289

You can obtain more information from the government by calling a toll free number 1-877-438-4338 or logonto their website.

I was just looking at The National Neighborhood Watch website. It has a lot of resources which can help a neighborhood establish a neigborhood watch program. Forming a solid neighborhood watch in your area is the first defense against crime. Keeping the program active once it is established is imperative.

Unfortunately we live in a society where people don’t know who lives 2 0r 3 doors on either side of them or even their next door neighbors. While in the Security Alarm Industry, I heard over and over again , ” I don’t need an alarm system because we have a neigborhood watch program”. Most of the time , an inactive neighborhood watch program results in a burglar stealing items from the neighbor’s home unnoticed. We are a busy society and people don’t feel they have the time or desire to get involved with their neighbors. Having a close knit neighborhood makes it safer for everyone.

It was once said that there are three kinds of people, those that make things happen, those that never make things happen and those that don’t even know what’s happening. If you don’t have a neighborhood watch program in your area, start one. If you have one, become active in it. Remember the saying, “there’s safety in numbers”.

Make it your task to know ALL the people on your block including the children. Report anything out of the ordinary. It’s always better to be safe than sorry. Yes, it takes some of your time, but being active in your community will pay off many times over.

You can order materials and information to form your area program from The National Neighborhood Watch Organization.

Choosing the right security alarm system and company for your home can be very confusing. In some market areas, there can be numerous alarm companys listed in the yellow pages. Here is some informatiom to consider in choosing which security alarm system will meet the needs of your family.

The company is the first and most important consideration:

* Is the company a local company that will be in business for the duration of your ownership or is it a national company in business for years. Ask how long they have been in business. I have seen some alarm companies go out of business and leave their customers without protection. Ask if the company you are reviewing is a dealership or the parent company. Some dealerships have different policies than the parent company.

* The personnel is as equally important. You need to ask if the company: Does background checks on ALL employees. What kind of training is given/required by the installers. Do they keep up with the latest technology and how it is implemented into existing securitiy alarm systems.

* Most states require the alarm company to be licensed. This means every person working for the company must be licensed. Ask to see the salesperson and technician’s license before the sale and installation.

* Ask how the system will be monitored. Is it their own monitoring company or do they contract with another company. Understanding how the monitoring company handles an emergency is extremely important.

* Good planning of your system must be addressed. An alarm sytem is not a “one size fits all”. Each family and home are different and it should fit into the family’s lifestyle . Ease of operation should be a concern. If it’s too difficult to operate it won’t get used.

* Ask your friends about their company and system. Do they receive fast and reliable service. Did they feel comfortable with the technicians that installed or repaired their system.

* Be careful about any “long term” contract they might require. If you are unhappy with the company or the system after installation, they could have you obligated with a non-cancellation contract. Getting out of the contract could be very expensive. Ask about their warranties.

* Get two or three quotes to compare the equipment as well as the prices. Be sure you understand what equipment you are getting. A good alarm representative could spend as much as 2 to 3 hours to design your system. This means looking at both the outside and inside of your home.

Topwebsite lists four of the best alarm companies.

More and more Americans are purchasing vacation homes. In most cases, this means it is vacant a good portion of the year. What can you do to keep your property secure?

Many alarm companies, especially ADT, are now providing a way to protect and monitor your property almost any where in the world!

The systems have several video cameras integrated into the security system. These cameras can be full color or even infa-red. That can video record your property in poor lighting conditions. Many users are getting these sophistcated systems for their main residence as well.

These cameras can be set so any movement will start the DVR, (Digital Video Recorder), recording the event. Many DVR’s will keep this information stored for several weeks or months. The DVR can also send this information to your home, work, cell phone via the internet. It also can send an alert signal to any of these locations the instant an ocurrence is happening. When you hear this “alert signal” you will be able to view your property as the occurence is taking place .

You can observe your property at any time from work or any other remote location that has an internet connection. Now you can see if your chilldren have returned safely home from school. Know who’s ringing your door bell without opening your door. The applications are unlimited. Imagine, being able to check in on your main residence as well as your vacation property from home or work.

An ADT Security Professional will design a custom system to meet your needs.