Showing posts with label kids safe. Show all posts
Showing posts with label kids safe. Show all posts

Monday, January 11, 2016

Do security cameras really help keep your home or business secure? Dennis Mancino HD view 360



Security cameras have become an extra set of eyes for homeowners and businesses to help fight crime, but are they really that effective?

These days, you can find all types of cameras installed in and outside people’s homes, and the images are clearer than ever.

KHON2 wanted to know if they’re actually helping police officers solve crimes.

HPD says cameras have become an important tool for officers, but like all tools, owners must use them properly and with some discretion.

Chantal Keliihoomalu and her family woke up Tuesday morning and found out two of their cars, parked right outside their Kapolei home, had been broken into.

“We noticed that the contents of the middle compartment and the glove box in our car was emptied out and my husband’s wallet, which had been in the middle compartment, wasn’t there,” she said.
Her neighbor’s cars were also broken into and a security camera caught the suspect rummaging through the vehicles.

SECURITY CAMERA BREAK-IN

HPD says using security camera footage has become a critical part of an investigation.

“People are sending in a lot more than just, ‘Oh, I saw this guy or I saw this girl,’ and giving us a description,” said Sgt. Kim Buffett of Crimestoppers. “They’re like, ‘This is the picture. This is what they’re doing. This is where I saw it.’ So it really has been helpful to us solving crimes, definitely.”

Social media has also become part of the arsenal to fight crime. The Facebook page “Stolen Stuff Hawaii” allows group members to post videos of crimes in their neighborhood.

In the year and a half since it started, it has grown to 38,000 members and it keeps growing.

“We do see success stories quite frequently,” said Stolen Stuff Hawaii creator Michael Kitchens. “We see people that have posted, ‘Hey, we found the guys. Thanks for spreading the word. Somebody reported him. They saw him. We found our car.’ It is pretty successful in that regard.”

HPD says there’s no doubt that security cameras have played an important role in solving all types of cases, but like a lot of things, it does have its drawbacks.

The biggest one is privacy. Those cameras are only allowed to shoot in areas that are considered public space.

“If you’re going to video someone, make sure it’s in a public place and nobody has a reasonable expectation of privacy, because then you’ll be violating their privacy,” said Buffet.

Another common problem HPD faces is owners not being able to download the video when officers arrive.

Buffet asks that you should at least have the manual on hand so officers can figure out how to download the video.


About us:

HD View 360 currently offers a superior line of high-quality HD Security related products including Cameras, Recorders, IT equipment and more. The Company has researched the most popular cameras and supplies and provides those to its end users by way of manufacturing these products and by direct sales and service. HD View 360 communicates with consumers and retailers about its products in a variety of ways. Information about HD View 360—the company as well as its products—is available via the Internet, direct mailings, and in person. The firms’ promotional efforts and charity support also seek to differentiate its products from those of its competitors.

The company maintains a personal contact with clients and referrals, to establish a relationship about the products and services with their customers. This contact, whether in-person or by phone, helps convey the HD View 360 message, demonstrate the products’ unique qualities, and builds solid relationships.

For more information or to schedule an appointment please visit www.hdview360.com


source: http://khon2.com/2016/01/06/do-security-cameras-really-help-keep-your-home-or-business-secure/




Monday, December 21, 2015

Store owner installs surveillance cameras to spy on police- Reblogged by HD View 360

A Miami convenience store owner is fed up with his employees and customers being allegedly harassed by police. So he installs surveillance video to get evidence against the local cops.

 

 Surveillance is for our own good.


By having everything that we are doing monitored, we can be sure that we (who have nothing to hide) will be safe. At least, that's the logic many authorities offer us, as they spy, pry, and vilify anyone who might feel suspicious. What happens, though, when you suspect the authorities of behaving suspiciously? Is it all right to spy on them?

Miami Gardens, Fla., convenience store owner Alex Saleh decided he'd try. He'd become vexed at what he saw as police harassment of his employees and even his customers.

 So he installed surveillance cameras, with the specific intention of watching the detectives.

He'd become frustrated, you see, about the possibly not coincidental number of times that his employee, Earl Sampson, had been stopped and questioned by police officers -- 258 times over a four-year period does seem a little like overkill. These included 100 searches and 56 jailings. As for convictions, well, they were only for marijuana possession.

Saleh told the Miami Herald it seemed odd that Sampson had been arrested 62 times for trespassing, when the vast majority of offenses were outside the very same Quickstop.

That would be the Quickstop where Sampson worked.

In all, Saleh installed 15 surveillance cameras. Some might find a certain poetry in the fact that he felt the need for them, when he says his store has never been robbed.

The videos make for numbing viewing. In one, a store employee takes out the trash, only to be arrested for trespassing. Others appear to show searches without warrants and police stopping customers without any obvious reason.

Miami Gardens is neither an easy, nor a safe place. But the police's reluctance to so far comment on these videos and the Herald's reporting suggest that some questions might need to be answered.

Clearly, there is a history between Saleh and the police. He filed an internal affairs report against some officers. He claims they retaliated by being more aggressive.

But he's owned the store for 17 years. The fact that he has to install cameras in an attempt to prove what he feels is racial profiling, excessive aggression, and intimidation might be a portent of what is to come, as technology becomes ever more involved in everyday life.

If police officers are to be outfitted with cameras, will citizens feel the need to have Google Glass or its equivalent, just to ensure they have their own filmic version of an encounter with authorities?

Some police officers have aggressively shown how uncomfortable they are with ordinary citizens filming them in the line of duty.

In one case this year, police in Bakersfield, Calif., were accused of erasing cell phone video of an incident in which a man died.

In another incident in San Diego, an officer being filmed making an arrest declared that the Samsung Galaxy in question was a weapon.

Even if we're all filming each other, there will still be questions surrounding editing and other forms of manipulation.

In the search for justice, there's always that nagging question: Whose?

HD View 360 is a Surveillance and Security company based in Miami, FL.  HD View 360 specializes in high end residential installations and commercial Franchise store installations and monitoring.

For more information on HD view 360 products and services visit: www.hdview360.com


source: http://www.cnet.com/news/store-owner-installs-surveillance-cameras-to-spy-on-police/





Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Looking back at Surveillance in 2015 Presented by Dennis Mancino HD View 360

 

Stepping into new trends: Video surveillance in 2015

Source: Eifeh Strom, a&s International | Date: 01/30/2015
A new year brings new trends. Many of the trends from 2014 have since turned into industry standards, such as HD resolution and IP surveillance; however, new ones have emerged to keep the security industry on its toes in 2015.

The Market at a Glance
In 2014, video surveillance accounted for approximately 53% of the total market share (US$13.5 billion) in terms of global physical security product sales, according to Memoori Business Intelligence. Double-digit growth has been the norm in the video surveillance market over the last decade, and analysts at IHS forecast similar growth in the new year, predicting more than 10% growth in 2015. Furthermore, Marketsandmarkets has predicted that the global video surveillance market will reach roughly $42.1 billion at a CAGR of 17% for the period 2014 to 2020, with the IP system market expected to grow at a CAGR of 23.5% during the same period. Rising crime rates, an increase in terror attacks, and growing security concerns all are contributing to this growth.

Who Reigns Supreme? IP vs. Analog The move to IP is no longer so much a trend as it is simple fact: New installations are going IP and many analog users are upgrading to network-based solutions. With that said, does that mean that IP has finally taken over analog in video surveillance? The answer is yes and no. In terms of revenue, IP sales have surpassed analog sales; however, in terms of quantity, analog shipments still outnumber those of IP. This is poised to change, with analysts believing that IP shipments will take over analog by the end of the decade. Evidence of this shift can be seen in markets like Latin America where the overall market — one that is heavily focused on analog — is now leaning toward IP equipment for the first time (by supplier revenue), according to a report by IHS.

Asia Leads the Way
In the world of security, Asia has had a tendency to be a step behind when it comes to the most up-to-date technologies. In the coming years, though, APAC is forecast to be the fasting growing region for IP video surveillance globally at a CAGR of 44.3% during the period 2013 to 2020, according to a report by Allied Market Research. The report also pointed out that North America is expected to experience the highest share in the IP video surveillance market by 2020, predicting that the continent would be the highest revenuegenerating segment with a value of about $19 billion in 2020. However, China is estimated to have been the largest regional market for video surveillance equipment, accounting for a third of global revenues in 2013.

Trends for the Growing Market
Along with growth come trends, trends that help drive growth and keep the market up-to-date with new and exciting technologies. In 2014, we saw IP surveillance become a norm and HD resolution become a standard. In the following, a&s explores a few of what we expect to be the most popular video surveillance trends for 2015.
High Efficiency Video Coding (H.265) One of the most important developments for 2015 will be that of high efficiency video coding (HVEC), also known as H.265, which directly relates to another trend: 4K resolution. HVEC will play a significant role in the feasibility of 4K in security applications. According to security experts, about 90% of surveillance products currently use HVEC's predecessor H.264 for compression. However, that is set to change. “Our outlook is that most future advancements in the market will focus on compression, as the megapixel market has evolved extremely quickly and the compression will need to advance nearly as quickly to meet the growing demand for higher resolution images. H.265 may be the answer to this as there is a tremendous amount of computational power required for the compression and decompression of these images that the industry is currently grappling with,” said Stephen Carney, Director of Video Product Line Management at Tyco Security Products.
Pervasive use of H.265 has many implications for the security industry. With the ability to double the data compression ratio compared to H.264 at the same level of video quality, H.265 will greatly improve the usability of 4K in security applications. In fact, both Hisilicon and Ambarella introduced IP camera SoCs based on H.265 at the end of 2014 and widespread use of H.265 is expected within the security industry by the second quarter of 2015. This will in no doubt directly impact the adoption of 4K.

Finding Applications for 4K
The entrance of 4K resolution into the security industry was met with both curiosity and excitement. Similar to how HD was expected to be the new standard for image resolution when it was first introduced into the industry (which it since has become), many believe that 4K ultra-high definition (UHD) will eventually replace HD as the standard, and the availability of H.265 in security will be a catalyst to this; however, this change will not happen overnight. “4K will certainly be a trend to watch, though broad adoption will be problematic for the security industry at this point due to limitations on current camera form factor/lens combination, bandwidth, and storage constraints and the cost of the equipment versus the benefits or necessity of the additional resolution gained with the technology,” Carney said.
Despite the current limitations, many of the obstacles should soon be resolved. Aside from H.265 helping with data compression, the rapid rollout of 4G across the globe should assist in dealing with bandwidth problems, as well as better, improved accompanying hardware (e.g., lenses, monitors, etc.).

Bigger, Better Image Sensors With the trend of 4K in 2015, along with the fact that HD has become the standard, bigger, better sensors are now needed to support such high-quality images. The trend toward increased value of total image quality will utilize large image sensors, the latest iris system, and high picture quality at near IR, said Koji Maunari, GM of the Industrial Optics Business Unit at Tamron. In fact, the image sensor market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8%  from 2014 to 2020, according to a recent report by Marketsandmarkets. Not only are manufacturers coming out with bigger sensors, they are also adding special technologies to further enhance image quality, specifically designed for video surveillance use. Well-known sensor makers such as Aptina, Omivision, and Pixelplus are now pushing out larger image sensors, while companies such as Sony have come out with new sensor technology specifically addressing the needs of the video surveillance market. The new Starvis technology, a back-illuminated pixel technology used in CMOS sensors specifically designed for video surveillance, was released by Sony in mid-2014. The technology extends from the visible light range to include the near-infrared range to support filming at night, which is often a problem area for 24/7 outdoor surveillance in most CMOS cameras. The improved performance at night will help more extensive adoption of CMOS cameras in the near future. Additionally 4K sensors are also being developed. These new sensors can support up to 12 megapixels (4:3) and 4K (17:9), and even support 4K at up to 60 frames per second. Furthermore, with sensors now reaching 1/1.9 inches, even higher resolution and clearer images are possible.

HD-over-Coax Gets More Advanced
HD-over-coaxial solutions are not new to the security industry. In fact, IMS Research, an IHS company, named HD-over-coaxial solutions a trend for 2012; however, at that time the solution in question was more or less limited to HD-SDI, which turned out to be not nearly as cost-effective as the security industry had initially hoped. Yet, like with any technologies a little time has yielded new-and-improved solutions, and 2014 saw just that with the introduction of new HD-over-coaxial solutions. One of the major proponents of HD-over-coax is Dahua Technology, who came out with their HDCVI technology in late 2012. However, it is not until more recently, in the last year, that the industry has really seen HD-over-coaxial solutions take off, with many other companies coming up with their own technologies and solutions as well, such as AHD, ccHDtv, and HDTVI. HD-SDI has also evolved: The new generation has upgraded in long-distance transmission, and more importantly, has become more cost effective.

Despite the fact that the overall market is going digital, many definitely still see plenty of room for HD-over-coaxial solutions, noting acceptance of the technologies particularly in developing regions such as Asia Pacific and Latin America.
Renewed Life in Intelligent Video Solutions Intelligent functions have been touted for a while in security, but it isn't until more recently that they have been widely incorporated and desired in video surveillance. In fact, as of recent, a certain degree of analytics on the edge has become a standard feature for most IP cameras. From entry-level to high-end, cameras can now be differentiated by how “smart” they are. As part of this, video surveillance has proved capable of not just recording and reviewing, but preventing and analyzing. “The IP revolution has changed the surveillance cameras from a forensic tool aimed at solving problems after an incident has occurred to becoming a vital part of proactive intelligence chain. Network video cameras collect valuable data that can be analyzed and turned into actionable insights,” said Johan Paulsson, CTO of Axis Communications.

The idea of actionable intelligence is one reason intelligent video solutions are seeing an up surge in demand. “We [Verint] believe that actionable intelligence presents an opportunity for customer to implement solutions that enhance security and safety, while reducing operating costs and increasing productivity and efficiency,” said Brian Matthews, VP of Global Marketing and Product Development for Video and Situation Intelligence Solutions at Verint Systems.
Another reason demand is growing is due to more developed technology. “Advancements in analytics should also not be ignored, as this segment of the market has progressed to where analytics are accepted as reliable, accurate, and part of the day-to-day operations of a large percentage of users. Some analytics, such as facial recognition, will definitely benefit from the higher resolution images and increasing levels of clarity as camera technology continues to progress,” Carney said.

The many benefits that intelligence brings to video surveillance, especially now that the technology is more reliable, are being realized across verticals. Certain verticals like retail have found particular use for intelligent video, where the data is being used for business intelligence. “Especially video content analysis solutions like Bosch's that do not only automatically trigger alarms on the basis of pre-defined alarm rules, but also enable the tracking of objects,” said Erika Gorge, Corporate Communications Manager at Bosch Security Systems. “This kind of intelligence can also be used to obtain information that goes beyond a pure security purpose such as marketing intelligence information on the scenes being under surveillance — for example number of people (people counting), movement of people, registering characteristics like color or crowd density information.”

Furthermore, we will also see a higher adoption of big data for multiple applications, such as smart cities, in 2015, where a smart surveillance camera with advanced VCA could definitely play an important role. We will see how VCA changes a surveillance camera into a content provider for big data.

There is a catch, though: Avigilon's recent acquisition of ObjectVideo's entire patent portfolio and licensing program. In the future, Avigilon will replace ObjectVideo as the patent holder to lead the future development of VCA technology, once again reshuffling the intelligence market. The impact this move will have on the security industry as a whole will be massive, and not necessarily in a good way — Avigilon now holds 124 US and international patents and 202 US and international patent applications as a result.

Integrated Systems Become a Must
In the past, integration of disparate systems has been a struggle for many users. With newer solutions, the ability to integrate is in high demand, and as such integration has become a focus for many security players.

“Integration has been talked about a long time — but as a user experience it has been less than ideal. You will soon see systems that deliver on that promise of a seamless user experience,” said David Gottlieb, Director of Global Marketing Communications at Honeywell Security. William Ku, VP of the Brand Business Division at VIVOTEK echoed confidence in the integration trend: “The full integration of disparate systems, including video surveillance, intrusion systems, perimeter detection, access control, and real-time intelligent analysis on data will be the trend in managing security in every vertical application since the security could be secured seamlessly and enable staff to respond to intrusion or threats in a short time and solve the events on-site in an effective way.”

The trend for more integrated systems is also what will help push IP growth forward, as the IP market has matured and entered into the late growth stage of its product life cycle. Yet, the low-end market still has significant potential for IP growth, as noted by Karl Erik Traberg, Head of Corporate Communications and Business Development at Milestone Systems.

In the middle and high-end markets, however, the trend for more integrated systems will continue to drive IP growth. “In the market for advanced solutions with high camera counts there is a significant opportunity to offer more advanced integrations with access control and other security applications,” he added. “Verint believes in and has realized increased demand for innovative, integrated solutions that combine situation management, communications, and cyber intelligence, and facilitate collaboration across security and law enforcement agencies. We believe that today's government organizations, institutions, and multinational corporations, in connection with safe city, border control, transportation security, critical infrastructure, and other large-scale security initiatives, are interested in and preparing to deploy unified security solutions that fuse data from a wide range of security systems and intelligence sources to enable efficient information correlation and analysis,” Matthews said.

Hope for 2015
A lot of major changes took place in 2014 that has in a way left a question mark hanging over the fate of the security industry — the Canon Europe acquisition of Milestone Systems, Anixter acquisition of Tri-Ed, and most recently the selling of Samsung Techwin to Hanwha Group. Yet, one thing is for certain: there will always be a need for security and video surveillance. This sentiment is what industry players are emphasizing when it comes to future growth of the security/ surveillance market. Development for the overall market may not be as rapid as it once was, but with the above trends helping to drive surveillance growth, as well as the continued growth of things like video surveillance as a service and cloud computing, there is definitely still upward hope for the future of video surveillance.

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

HD View 360 Launches new website- Presented by Dennis Mancino

                        We have recently Launched our new website at www.HDView360.com



Our Services Include:

Remote Control Systems

remote_control_systems
Who says you can’t be everywhere at once? If you have a laptop, smart phone or any web-enabled device, you’ve got everything you need to check on your business wherever you are over a highly secure internet connection.
Access and operate your system remotely from anywhere in the world. You can even download a convenient App! HD View 360’s remote keypad is the perfect fit for your business because it’s security that goes with you—so you can enjoy your life and keep an eye on your business at the same time.

Portable Convenience

  • Arm and check the status of your security system
  • Receive and view security-related events
  • Disarm and silence your system
  • Multiple account capability—great for vacation homes, investment properties or franchises
  • Bypass a door for unscheduled maintenance or service
  • Control garage or warehouse doors
  • Turn lights on and off remotely

Theft / Asset Protection

asset_protection
Protecting “portable” electronic devices such as laptop computers, monitors and peripherals is a universal challenge to business owners. HD View 360’s asset protection modules can track movement of these devices and sound an alarm when they are moved outside of a predesignated area. Instantly receive alerts when expensive equipment is moved or tampered with.

Access Control Systems

Managing access into and throughout your facility

Whatever size your building may be, our systems can monitor what goes on in and around your facility so you can focus on more important things – your business.

Restrict Access

access_control
Knowledge of everyone that enters and leaves your facility is critical. HD View 360 offers innovative access control for large or small, multi-site or single-site locations. Our access control solutions can integrate with your security system to streamline your operations.

Manage Security 24/7

Our state-of-the-art systems use proximity readers. Forget expensive key cards and access codes that constantly need updating. Your door opens when a person approaches and our system logs the person, time and date. We can also limit access to certain people at pre-defined times of the day. Let’s design a plan around your business needs.

Environmental Control

Control Your World

Adjust lighting and temperature remotely using easy web-enabled devices.

Monitor your environment

environmental_control
Detect a failing freezer or furnace, a flooding basement, low heating oil, burner lockouts and a host of other environmental conditions BEFORE they become bigger problems.
Detect dangerous carbon monoxide levels or changes in temperature instantly.
Our 24/7 monitoring assures that you are alerted immediately if these environmental conditions pose a risk to your business.

Robbery – Hold Up Alarms

hold_up_alarms
Any business that handles money has the potential to be robbed. An armed robber is the most dangerous and confrontational criminals.

Increase the longevity of your employees.

Giving your employees the opportunity to summon help undetected ensures their safety and your peace-of-mind.

Let them feel protected at work

From cash drawer alarms to wireless pendants, we make workplace safety a priority.

Video Surveillance

The best security for your business will deter burglars, protect your employees AND protect you from a multitude of risks that can hurt your business.
video_surveillance
For Peace of Mind

Security Cameras Surveillance for maximum viewing flexibility.

Camera Options:
  • Closed Circuit television cameras
  • Indoor domed cameras
  • Multi-directional outdoor cameras
  • Infrared, low-light and night vision cameras

Digital Recorders

See your business more clearly.
Video surveillance packages for:
  • Shrinkage: Helps deter shoplifting and employee theft.
  • Legal Protection: Reduce your liability from fraudulent claims.
  • Workplace Safety: Reduce workplace hazards. Thwart potential risks.
  • Employee Morale: Helps monitor and improve productivity.
  • Savings: Lower insurance premiums.
View live-streaming video to monitor action at your workplace or access your DVR to view historical activity. We’ll customize a package that’s right for you.

Fire Detection

Commercial fire detection is not just about smoke or heat detectors.

Avoid water and fire damage

fire_detectionAt HD View 360, your state-of-the-art sprinkler system is professionally monitored.
We’ll be happy to review your existing plan or design a fire detection program that fits your business and budget.

Friday, December 4, 2015

An Easy Guide to Video Surveillance Laws_ Presented by Dennis Mancino HD view 360

Caméra de vidéo-surveillance
 
The prevalence and dependability of video surveillance cameras has become very popular recently. Thousands of business and home owners have begun using video cameras for security purposes to guarantee safety, to catch criminals, sketchy behavior at home, monitor loss prevention from employees and customers and to enforce rules and regulations.
It’s considered covert surveillance when the cameras can’t be identified or can’t be seen. Security cameras are, for the most part, legal in the United States as long as it doesn’t intrude upon a person’s fourth amendment right to privacy. This article will go into the details of what is considered legal and what is not legal as far as surveillance goes so that all questions are answered.
 
On the Uses of Covert Surveillance
A saying that holds true in court is “a picture is worth a thousand words.” Studies have shown that when a jury is presented with surveillance footage, they are more likely to convict than if there is no video surveillance shown as evidence.
The calculated placement of hidden surveillance cameras help with the detection and prosecution of theft, vandalism, elder neglect, child abuse, harassment and stalking.
Some of the most common places that use camera surveillance are retail stores, hospitals, prisons, construction sites, nursing homes, police stations, casinos and of course in the family home.
Watching the activities of household help and babysitters or nannies with covert surveillance cameras is on the rise. With newer technology, cameras can now be installed in such places as house plants, teddy bears, wall paintings and clocks.
 
What Exactly is Illegal?
In the US, most camera surveillance is considered legal.
 
What you cannot do legally is post cameras where people have an expectation of privacy.
  • bathroom stalls
  • dressing rooms
  • locker rooms
  • changing rooms
  • someone else’s house
When is Audio Illegal?
  • Most all situations involving an unattended recording device.
  • Conversations you are not a part of.
Covert surveillance may also be illegal when you have audio surveillance taking place without the permission of those monitored when the person under surveillance has a practical expectancy of privacy.
Another case where video surveillance may be against the law is when the surveillance shows an illegal activity and the person under surveillance has a right to legal counsel, such as when being questioned by the law and the person in charge of the premises have not consented to video surveillance.
Audio recording for the most part is only legal if you are recording and are an engaged member of a conversation. Engaged doesn’t just mean you are there, it means you are actually participating.
 
Is It Okay to Use Video Surveillance?
Studies have shown that in the US and the UK video surveillance does act as a great deterrent to stopping crimes before they occur. Studies also show that video surveillance can be a very powerful tool in detection and prosecution of crimes.
The main thing to keep in mind is to know your local laws and to not just record anyone and everyone without their consent. If you follow all rules for covert surveillance, you should be okay under the law. Catching criminals is a great idea, just be sure you are not taking audio of people unknowingly.
 
 
This message and repost is brought to you by: HD View 360

for more information on HD View 360 and its services and products visit our website at: www.hdview360.com
 
 
 
this information was provided by: http://www.securityoptions.com/an-easy-guide-to-video-surveillance-laws/
 
 

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

12 Tips for Educating Kids on Home Security Reposted by: Dennis Mancino HD View 360

 
BlogBrigade-HomeSecurity


 


Kristi
 Posted by on October 2, 2014 at 11:58

As a parent, each morning when I wake up, there is an unspoken goal to keep my kids safe. They do their best to make that a challenge by jumping on the couch, trying to climb in the bathtub or trying to eat an entire banana in one bite – and that’s all before breakfast. It’s impossible to predict what will pop up in 24 hours’ time within the walls of our home – anything from boogie men at bedtime to stranger dangers while we play in the front yard are possibilities.

Just about the only way we can be ready for anything is to prepare safety rules and plans, teach our kids the safety basics and practice what-to-do scenarios with our kids starting at a young age. We can hope that we are never tested on any of the following, but I’d rather study for the test and have it canceled rather than walk into class unprepared for the exam.
  1. Have a safe word. Create a sort of secret password just for your family. Let your kids know that any stranger that approaches them in the driveway or who comes to the front door claiming to need something or claiming to know their parents should know that word.
  2. Keep doors, gates and windows closed and locked. It’s a simple preventative measure that your kids can learn as soon as they’re old enough to reach the locks. You might even get them in the habit of checking locks before leaving the house.
  3. Keep the front yard free of toys. A yard littered with toys indicates to anyone driving by that a child lives there. True, our car with two car seats is sitting in our driveway, but someone would have to be in our driveway, peering into the car windows to see that, which is a lot more work than simply driving by.
  4. Teach kids that strangers in the neighborhood are still strangers. Just because someone walks up to talk to them in the driveway claiming to live down the street doesn’t make the person trustworthy.
  5. Be sure your kids can recognize the smell of gas. If they smell it in or around the house, they should know to quickly alert an adult.
  6. Practice makes perfect. Once you’ve planned safety routes for your kids (for use in case of fire, home intruder, earthquake, tornado, blackout, etc.) practice them with your kids – even if their plan is to simply stay put and wait for you. They’re far more likely to be in the right place at the right time under pressure if it’s familiar.
  7. Make sure your kids know when to answer the phone. In the old days, when I first started staying home alone, we didn’t have caller ID, so I had to answer every call in case it was one of my parents. They simply taught me not to reveal that I was alone. Today, though, I teach my kids not to answer the phone without me or my husband present. When they’re a little older, they may answer it if they recognize the contact.
  8. Teach your children how to call 911 and when it’s appropriate to do so. For example, calling 911 because your sister pinched you is not OK, but if mom is hurt and asks you to call, then they should know how to dial and that it’s OK to share personal information with the dispatcher.
  9. Help your kids remember their phone number and address. This can be confusing for military children who move frequently, but it’s worth it to learn.
  10. Make sure your kids know to stay away from critters. While they might be harmless, teaching your kids to alert an adult to a wild or stray animal, a snake in the yard or that weird bug in their room could prevent a dangerous bite or sting.
  11. Teach off-limit areas. Make sure your kids know to steer clear of outlets, cords, sharp or hot kitchen objects and household cleaners and why.
  12. Be direct. I used to soften and over-explain consequences to my kids to prevent scaring them. I’d say things like, “You shouldn’t reach for things on the stove because there might be something hot up there that could hurt you.” Explanations like this one got me wide, confused eyes and didn’t stop the action from repeating. I’ve found being direct without being overly scary is the best method. In the stove situation, I held my son up to see that when a burner is on it’s hot, and if he touches it, he’ll get burned – message received.

At Holiday time and any time of the year it is important for parents and kids alike to be familiar with these kinds of techniques to make your lives safer.

This message and repost is brought to you by: HD View 360

for more information on HD View 360 and its services and products visit our website at: www.hdview360.com


source: http://blog-brigade.militaryonesource.mil/2014/10/02/12-tips-for-educating-kids-on-home-security/