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Pepper Pager Saves Women from Assault

2009-10-10T21:16:00.001-07:00

Pepper Pager Saves Women from Assault

Tammy loved spending time with the kids at the community center.

She remembered how important her mentors were to her when she was growing up, and she enjoyed the chance to give something back.

The only thing she didn't enjoy about her volunteer work was trying to find a safe parking place in the neighborhood.

Some nights, she really understood why so many of these kids were at risk.

At the same time, she wanted to project an air of confidence and security - she couldn't let any of her kids see how nervous she was.

That's when she discovered the Pepper Pager from http://www.midwestdefense.com/

The Pepper Pager looks like a standard pager - the kind that many business people clip to their belts.

Instead of delivering important messages, the Pepper Pager protects its owners from dangerous attackers by concealing up to twelve bursts of debilitating pepper spray.

One night, while heading back to her car after a late session, a haggard man accosted Tammy on the street, demanding money.

She tried to walk past him, but he kept blocking her path.

"What's your hurry?" he asked.

Another man strolled out from an alleyway behind Tammy.

"Hey, Jack," he called out, "this girl's in a hurry!"

Tammy pleaded, "Just let me pass, guys."

Jack mocked her, crying, "Just let me pass," in a singsong voice.

Jack's friend reached out to grab her. That's when she grabbed the Pepper Pager from her belt and sprayed the attacker right in the eyes.

As he screamed in pain, Tammy spun around to see Jack lunging ather. She blasted a second shot of pepper spray at him, which sent him tumbling through the ground.

Tammy ran up the street, hopped in her car, locked the doors and dialed 9-1-1. Within minutes, two less thugs haunted that neighborhood.

You can get your own Pepper Pager from http://www.midwestdefense/ today so you can be prepared to defend yourself against attackers up to ten feet away.

Are you prepared to defend yourself?

2009-08-02T17:20:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wondered what emotions you would have or how you would react in a situation that would require you to defend yourself from a violent and aggressive attacker?

Would it be the Fight or Flight thoughts making their way into your brain, or would you just freeze up and do nothing? Are you prepared to defend yourself, do you have the tools and knowledge to halt a violent attacker? Many people purchase different personal security products that are meant to assist them when defending themselves from an attacker should the situation arise.

From Tasers and Stun Guns to Pepper Spray people spend their hard earned money on personal protection only to put the Pepper Spray in the glove compartment of the car, the Stun Gun in the kitchen junk drawer, or the Taser on the top shelf of the closet where they are sometimes forgotten about. It is up to you to remember why you purchased a personal protection product, have it readily available and be prepared to use it to protect yourself and your family.

Take for instance pepper spray , the first thing you should do is get familiar with it. Go outside and take a Styrofoam cup for a target, and the reason we recommend Styrofoam is because it shows results of what pepper spray does to a person. Make sure you are not spraying against the wind, spraying into the wind causes the spray to have particles come back on you. Stand approximately 6 - 8 feet from your target, turn your release off and aim at your target. Once you are ready, hit the button releasing the spray. You will see that pepper spray starts to burn the Styrofoam. So imagine what it does to a potential attacker. You have just given yourself a lesson in using pepper spray, but it does not stop here. Anytime you are alone, walking to your vehicle in a parking garage, leaving a shopping mall or just simply getting home after dark. Take out your pepper spray and be prepared.

Stun Guns and Stun Batons have also proven to be a safe and non-lethal alternative for self defense. They range in voltage of 50,000- 950,000. Most stun guns are operated by 9 volt alkaline batteries. Load your stun gun with batteries and click the on switch, depending on the voltage you will hear clicking of the shock, the higher the voltage the louder it will be. Men and Women differ on how they carry their stun gun.

Men normally put it in a holster and where it on their belt where women puts it in their purse. We recommend the same technique mentioned above when you are alone. Take out your stun gun and turn to the on position, if you are in danger and have the need to use a stun gun you must make contact with your assailant. You must be prepared in a moments notice.

Tasers offer 2 ways of defending yourself. Tasers fire 2 probes up to a distance of 15 feet that transmit pulsed energy through the wires into the central nervous system causing immediate involuntary incapacitation to an attacker. The other way a taser would be effective would be the Drive Stun Backup which is similar to the stun gun method, applying the device directly on your attacker. Tasers may be able to be worn in public and are considered a non-lethal weapon.

There are certain state restrictions on tasers, stun guns and defense sprays so we recommend you check your local and state laws. Training yourself with a non lethal weapon of choice gives you the understanding of why you have the weapon and the courage to use it. You can not predict if or when you could become a victim of a violent assault, but it makes sense to be prepared in case you are a potential victim.

The final option we have available is lethal force with a firearm for protection. Numerous states now offer Concealed Carry (CCW) for its citizens. You must receive proper training and provide the proper respect and responsibility to carry and use a handgun for self protection.

The best defense is having the best offense!

http://www.midwestdefense.com/

2009-07-09T14:14:00.000-07:00

These days, more and more ordinary folks are installing a home surveillance camera to keep their homes and families safe. A home surveillance system can cost anywhere from a couple hundred dollars into the thousands. It's well worth the cost, but is there a cheaper way?

There is a cheaper way. The good news is that many burglars and would-be thieves are dummies. Not the sharpest tools in the shed. That's why some folks prefer to install a dummy security surveillance system, to deter any dummies that might be interested in breaking in. Dummy cameras are great for small businesses. A shoplifter sees it recording them and they know they'll have a better chance somewhere else. Like a "beware of dog" sign, a couple of dummy recording devices filming your yard will keep any creeps from creeping through your bushes. Some dummies are smarter than you think, and they know a fake when they see one. That's why you've got to get the right dummy camera, otherwise it's all in vain.

No Wires? No Problem!

The easiest dead giveaway is a security system without wires. It is unbelievable that anybody would bother installing a dummy device without wires. Wires are visible on almost all models, and a home surveillance camera without wires obviously doesn't record anything.

Lights... Camera... Action!

Often fools won't be fooled by a system with no lights. Usually, surveillance devices have tiny blinking lights to indicate that they are recording. Without these lights, your burglar may be inclined to bust in.

You Gotta Move!

Finally, a device that doesn't move probably doesn't record. The great thing about stationary cameras is you can just sneak by and avoid getting caught by them. On the other hand, a lens that moves as you do, will film a would-be robber walking away from your house like he's on a midnight stroll.

Get The Right Dummy Home Surveillance Camera
Here is what you need-wires, lights and movement. As dummy systems have become more popular, companies are offering a wide variety of high quality models. Almost all have wires as part of the set-up.

You can also get dummy devices with fake blinking LED lights. For a couple bucks more, you can get one that moves with your victim. These systems have motion detectors. When they know that somebody's there, they point at them and stay on them until they are running out of your yard.

The greatest thing of all about dummy device is the price. You can get one with all the features you need for as low as $25. You may even be able to find something cheaper by shopping around. Think of how much that $25 could save you in the long run!
A crook creeps across your yard thinking about your HDTV and jewelry, his eyes fixed on that easy-to-smash window, and he suddenly stops dead in his tracks. There's a tiny camera following his every movement. He doesn't want to be famous tonight, so he backward-creeps to the nearest bushes and you never hear from him again!

Midwest Defense

Taser C2 or Handgun?

2009-03-26T21:57:00.000-07:00

First off, I would like to give you a little history of TASER products and which models are available to you, the consumer. TASER Int. has developed some fantastic Electronic Control Devices (ECD) in the last 10 years or so that are becoming hotter by the day. They offer several models to choose from and a few made specifically for Law Enforcement and Military use only.

The two most common models for Military and Law Enforcement use are: X26 and M26 models. These two models are almost identical to the civilian/consumer models: X26C and M18/M18L. TASER also carries the TASER C2 for civilian use which is becoming one of the hottest models of ECD that TASER offers.

Here is how they work. The ECD has a replaceable cartridge that contains two probes that are launched by compressed nitrogen when the trigger is pulled or the activation switch is pressed. Since they designed these devices to be used on aggressive or highly resistant individuals, the two probes are stacked vertically being that humans stand upright. ECD can be used against aggressive animals, therefore the user needs to adjust how they aim their TASER, meaning horizontally. Most models offer a laser option. Keep in mind that laser can not be added after the purchase.

All cartridges contain what is called Anti-Felon Identification (AFID) tags. There are 20 to 30 confetti-like tags that are expelled from the cartridge when a TASER is deployed. These AFID tags are unique to the cartridge that is used with serial numbers printed on the tags. Police collect these tags to determine the owner of the ECD in case the TASER was wrongfully used. The probes are attached to the TASER using thin insulated wire in lengths of 15 feet for civilian/consumer models and 35 feet for Law Enforcement or Military models.

I could go into great detail of TASER products designed for Law Enforcement and Military use, but that is beyond the scope of this article and I will get into that in another article in the future. The most popular civilian/consumer model is the TASER C2 with obvious reason.

TASER Int. has added a feature that they feel that will lower the wrongful use of a them. All C2 models come in a locked state and has to be activated by the customer either by internet or by telephone with an 800 number provided with the unit. The ECD will NOT work without activating it. There is a fee of $9.95 associated with the activation process. This is a background check, so I recommend someone who has a criminal background, to not buy one. Once the background check is complete, the associate will issue an activation code to unlock the C2. Very good thinking and has proven to greatly reduce the wrongful use of C2.

When a C2 is fired and the probes hit the target, the ECD uses Neuromuscular Incapacitation (NMI) technology to override the signal the brain sends to the voluntary muscles to prevent any further aggressive behavior. The C2 supplies 30 seconds of continuous charge so you can find safety which means put the C2 down and do what you need to do to find help. Also, never fear that you will get shocked if an attacker is touching you when you use the unit either by firing the C2 or stunning them with the stun contact backup. The energy is high voltage and low wattage therefore the current can not travel from one to the other.

Now, we can move onto the main scope of this article. Should I buy a TASER C2 or a gun to protect myself and my family? There are many different views on this topic and varies depending on the user. If you have experience handling a firearm and are willing to get proper training, then you may have a tough time deciding what to purchase for your own personal protection.

The benefits of owning a TASER C2 are tremendous. They are legal to carry without a permit in 43 US states. States that do not allow the use of an ECE is DC, HI, MA, MI, NJ, NY, RI, and WI as well as a few cities: Annapolis, Baltimore, Chicago, and Philadelphia. Other great benefits are: you can stop an assailant up to 15 feet away, they can be used as a powerful contact stun device should you miss or have multiple attackers, fast and easy cartridge replacement, non-lethal self defense, and one of the best guarantees you will ever find.

If you have to use your C2 in a self defense situation and leave your ECD for the remaining 30 seconds stunning cycle to find safety and the unit is destroyed, damaged or taken by the attacker, TASER Int. will replace the unit free of charge as long as you have a police report saying the C2 was used in a self defense situation. That is one guarantee that is impossible to beat.

I strongly believe that a TASER C2 is one of the most effective Electronic Control Devices (ECD) or self defense device anyone could ever own and have a better peace of mind that comes along with owning one.

Please let Midwest Defense help you decide which self defense option is best for you, we provide training in both options.

Taser C2

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2009-03-12T22:07:00.000-07:00

Carjacking is Robbery

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Carjacking is a violent form of motor vehicle theft. It is a serious threat to our personal safety because the thief uses force and fear to rob your car from you. Sometimes the car owner or other occupants are kidnapped during a carjacking, and if lucky will be dropped off nearby unharmed. The worst-case scenario occurs when you are transported to a secondary crime scene, which is usually more dangerous than the original confrontation. Those not so lucky victims have suffered other crimes like rape, aggravated assault, and even homicide.
Since the mid-1980s, carjacking has captured the attention of the media with reports of these sudden and violent attacks. Carjackers have unknowingly driven off with infants still in the backseat of the car, leaving behind a screaming and emotionally distressed parent. Other drivers have been violently pulled out of their seats and left lying on the road, terrified by what just occurred.

The crime of carjacking can be traumatic to our everyday lives because it creates fear in the common act of driving a car. Victims of carjacking have reported being unable to drive a car again while others required months of therapy. Others have become so hypersensitive, that embarrassing and dangerous situations have arisen in response to their fear when someone unwittingly approached their car on foot.

How Carjacking Got Started

Carjacking has always been around, especially in large metropolitan cities, we just rarely read about it. The crime of carjacking "took off" in the 1980s after the media published stories of bizarre situations and the violence associated with the crime. The media coined the phrase "carjacking" and the crime of auto theft took on a new identity. After a rush of publicity, other criminals "copied" the crime of carjacking. These copycat criminals must have said, "Hey, I can steal any vehicle I want without damaging it, I get the car keys, and I can rob the owner too.
Another reason carjacking got started is because of the sophistication and prevalence of new anti-theft devices and alarm systems. New car alarms and steering wheel locking systems made it tougher on the auto thief. Chip-integrated ignition switches, engine cutoff devices, and stolen vehicle locators are now more common in cars. Unfortunately for us, poorly motivated and unskilled car thieves have adapted by becoming more violent to get the cars they need and don't think twice about using force against us.

Sometimes criminals will carjack a vehicle for use in another crime like armed robbery or for a drive-by shooting. These carjackers prefer to have a set of car keys and not have a visibly smashed window or damaged ignition switch that can be easily spotted by the police. This class of car thief is the most dangerous because they are usually heavily armed and are not concerned with your welfare.

How Often Does Carjacking Occur

National carjacking statistics are not available. However, the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS)* made a telephone assessment of 221,000 households from 1992-1996 to gain an understanding of the extent of the carjacking problem. The biggest problem of tracking carjacking incidents is current police agency reporting practices. Most criminal codes have not adopted this new crime type nor do they track it statistically. Most police jurisdictions charge the crime of carjacking as a robbery since force or fear was used to steal the vehicle directly for the owner. Many police agencies record multiple charges like aggravated robbery, auto theft, assault, battery to one event but usually only the first charge (robbery) gets indexed and statistically tracked. Some jurisdictions charge the crime of carjacking as only an auto theft since a vehicle was stolen.

Since the crime of carjacking is not indexed in the FBI's Uniform Crime Reports, it is unlikely that we will soon see a national statistic on frequency that is generated from police reports. What we have to work with is the NCVS telephone survey as the source of our data.

From the study of 1992-1996, the NCVS learned that each year 49,000 carjackings and attempts occur in the United States. About half of the reported carjackings were failed attempts. Of the completed carjackings, 92% had weapons where only 75% were armed during the failed attempts. Unfortunately, this statistic tells us that carjackers must be armed to be taken seriously by victims. A handgun was the weapon of choice followed by a knife. Males were responsible for 97% of the carjackings and attempts and were usually carried out by either one or two perpetrators.

Where Does Carjacking Occur

Carjacking can occur anywhere, but is largely a big city problem like traditional auto theft.
Carjacking occurs most often in a busy commercial area where cars are parked and when the owner is entering or exiting the parked vehicle. Most carjackings or attempts (65%) occur within five miles of the victim's home. The carjacker wants the keys readily available and the car door unlocked for a quick getaway. Carjackers tend to rob lone victims more often (92%), for obvious reasons. According to the NCVS, men were victimized more often than women, blacks more than whites; Hispanics, more than non-Hispanics; and divorced, separated, or never married more than married or widowed. This trend is not surprising given the fact that younger single males tend to take more chances and go to higher risk locations than do married persons. It is unclear whether household income or the value of the vehicle is a criterion in carjacking as the statistics are spread throughout the income levels. However the $35,000 to $50,000 income range had a slightly higher carjack victim frequency.

Surprisingly, the NCVS study indicates that 64% of the daytime carjackings were actually completed, while less than half of those at night were completed. This may be reflective of who is being victimized and who is out at night. About 62% of all carjacking victims took some form of action to defend themselves or their property. Victims were injured about 20% of the time in completed carjackings and about 16% during attempts. Although the statistics aren't clear, each year about 27 homicides are reported related to auto theft. Also interesting is that 100% of the completed carjack victims called the police, whereas only 57% called to report an attempt carjacking. This variable in reporting is probably related to the desire to get their property back and for insurance purposes.

Popular carjacking locations are parking lots, shopping centers, gas stations, car washes, convenience stores, ATMs, hotels, valet parking, fast-food drive-thru, and outside of retail stores. Close proximity to a freeway onramp is a desirable escape factor from the carjackers prospective. A risky, but popular location for the carjacker is a roadway intersection with a stoplight. A carjacker will jump out of another vehicle, pull open your unlocked drivers’ door, and force you to get out. The type of carjacking allows for a quick escape but increases their risk of being followed by other drivers armed with cell phones. There have been incidents where well-meaning citizens got into a high-speed chase following carjackers and ended up being victims themselves.

The "Bump" and Carjack

Another copycat scheme used by carjackers is to bump your car from behind to get you to pull over and stop. We have all been trained to always stop following an auto accident to exchange license and insurance information. What a perfect scenario for a carjacker!

The carjacker, and his accomplice, will follow the intended victim to a suitable location with good escape routes and few witnesses. The carjacker will crash into the back of your vehicle at low speed and "bump" you with enough force to make you believe a traffic accident had just occurred. Beware of the Good Samaritan. Typically, the drivers of both vehicles pull over, stop, and get out discussing the damage. At this point the carjacker robs you of your vehicle, its’ contents, and drives away. The carjacker's car gets driven away by the accomplice. Hopefully you won't be injured during the exchange.

What Should You Do?

Carjacking of parked vehicles depends on the car owner being inattentive to their surroundings. Carjackers, like street robbers, prefer the element of surprise. Most victims say they never saw the carjacker until they appeared at their car door. To reduce your risk of being carjacked, I have listed some common sense steps below:

-Always park in well-lighted areas, if you plan to arrive/leave after dark
-Don't park in isolated or visually obstructed areas near walls or heavy foliage
-Use valet parking or an attended garage, if you're a woman driving alone
-As you walk to your car be alert to suspicious persons sitting in cars
-Ask for a security escort if you are alone at a shopping center
-Watch out for young males loitering in the area (handing out flyers, etc)
-If someone tries to approach, change direction or run to a busy store
-Follow your instincts if they tell you to walk/run away to a busy place
-As you approach your vehicle, look under, around, and inside your car
-If safe, open the door, enter quickly, and lock the doors
-Don't be a target by turning your back while loading packages into the car
-Make it your habit to always start your car and drive away immediately
-Teach and practice with your children to enter and exit the car quickly
-In the city, always drive with your car doors locked and windows rolled up
-When stopped in traffic, leave room ahead to maneuver and escape, if necessary
-If you are bumped in traffic, by young males, be suspicious of the accident
-Beware of the Good Samaritan who offers to repair your car or a flat tire. It's okay to get help, just be alert
-Wave to follow, and drive to a gas station or busy place before getting out
-Never agree to be kidnapped. Drop the cars keys and run and scream for help
-If you are forced to drive, consider crashing your car near a busy intersection to attract attention so bystanders can come to your aid and call the police
-Take necessary steps to receive self defense training and self defense tools if so inclined
-Call the police immediately to report the crime and provide detailed information

www.midwestdefense.com

*National Crime Victimization SurveyBureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) - 1999

Preventing Sexual Assault

2009-03-11T09:22:00.000-07:00

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO TO PREVENT SEXUAL ASSAULT?

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* Always be aware of your surroundings.

* Stay in well-lit areas as much as possible.

* Walk confidently, directly, at a steady pace. A rapist looks for someone who appears vulnerable.

* Walk on the side of the street facing traffic.

* Walk close to the curb. Avoid doorways, bushes and alleys where rapists can hide.

* If you think you are being followed, walk quickly to areas where there are people and lights. If a car appears to be following you, turn and walk in the opposite direction or walk on the other side of the street.

* Be careful when people stop you for directions or money. Always reply from a distance and never get too close to the car.

* If you are in trouble or feel you are in danger, don't be afraid to attract help any way you can. Scream, yell or run away to safety.

* Always lock your car. Keep your car locked when you are away from it to keep someone from hiding and waiting inside.

* When you are inside the car, lock the doors for safety.

* Look inside and around your car before you get in.

* Be aware of other people in parking areas, especially those close to your vehicle.

* If you think you are being followed, drive to a public place or a police station to get help.

* If your car breaks down, open the hood or attach a white cloth to the antenna. If someone stops to help, stay inside your locked vehicle and ask them to call the police.

* If you choose to carry any type of weapon for self-protection, give careful consideration to your ability and willingness to use it. Midwest Defense offers several different types of defense options.

Midwest Defense's Lipstick Pepper Spray is especially effective in these situations.

http://www.midwestdefense.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=40&zenid=34a408790d7cb7cbf1992508d65a6534

Parking Lot Security

2009-02-19T09:20:00.000-08:00

AVOIDING CRIMES WHEN PARKING
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Preventing Parking Theft and Vandalism

-Wherever possible, provide each residence with its own locked garage within the property boundaries. Locked garages outside the boundaries or well-lit and visible common car parks are the next best option.

-Where private garages are not available, carport or driveway parking is preferable to grouped parking away from residences.

-As a general rule, underground or multi-story car parks should be avoided, as they are breeding grounds for vandalism and crime. If they already exist, limiting entry points and providing them with sturdy locked gates could minimize danger.

-Alternatively, each resident could be provided with a lockable garage in their own space, with sturdy, vandal proof metal doors - garages within garages, so to speak. Or users can be provided with a secure lock or a plastic keycard, which operates electronic doors.

-Grouped car parking should be avoided in high-crime areas. If they cannot be avoided, they should be within view of some residences; they should be equipped with sturdy gates or tilt doors, and should never be sited near the alley.

-Open car parking should be small and within view of residents’ and visitors' car parks should be clearly identifiable, well lit, and visible from residence.

http://www.midwestdefense.com

Preventing Parking Lot Rape, Assault, Robbery

-To make car parking lots safer, planners should provide direct access from parking areas to the entrance of residences.

-Parking lots should be no further than 50 yards from residences, and the path should be well lit and free from untrimmed shrubbery.

- Visitors' car parking should be well lit, clearly identifiable, and visible from dwellings.
Access to enclosed car parks should be limited to residents by some form of electronic entry control device if possible.

If it is desirable to limit access to dwellings, make sure access via parking lots are monitored as well.

- In high-crime areas, advanced technological surveillance methods may be needed in parking lots. For example, an infrared unit is available which detects the presence of intruders - but not cats and dogs - by body heat, and automatically switches on all lights in the car park and turns them off after 15 to 20 minutes.

Apartment Security

2009-02-19T08:44:00.000-08:00

Apartment Security Survey

I just finished inspecting a one-bedroom apartment unit for a friend on a twenty-year old upscale property in the Country Club Plaza neighborhood of Kansas City. This property is managed by one of the largest property managers in the country. I was shocked by what I found.

Because of the premium rent, I expected to find the property in compliance with all the minimum recommended security features.

On my earlier recommendation, my friend had selected a highly visible second floor unit, in view of the office, because it would be inherently safer for a single woman living alone. I inspected the door locks and found only one in place. It was a tired-looking deadbolt lock that had obviously been switched from another unit.

As a former police officer and locksmith, I thought a new resident surely deserves a newly keyed lock, especially if it’s the only one on the door?

To make matters worse, the old lock had paint splashed on it making it easily distinguishable to the former users. No one could say for certain how many times this lock had been rotated between units and how many keys were out there.

Upon examining the lock strike-plate, I found two half-inch wood screws holding the strike plate onto a frail-looking piece of dried-out doorjamb. It would only take one firm kick to gain access into the unit and to my friend. I examined the accessible sliding glass windows and doors and found them with the usual aluminum latching hardware. All these glass sliders were missing secondary track-blocking devices and anti-lift measures. I feel these devices are necessary on all accessible sliding windows because of the potential for the latches to fail and not withstand minimal prying or lifting force.

I was concerned how these security measures were somehow overlooked when inspected at turnover by maintenance workers and by the leasing consultants who showed it. I learned that instead of a detailed unit walk-through with the leasing consultant, my friend was simply handed a form to fill out and return only if she noticed anything that was damaged in the apartment. How many new residents would know to check the door locks, strike-plates, and window security? Does this practice sound familiar to you?

Imagine how you would feel, if someone who you cared about was brutally attacked inside their apartment unit. Imagine how you would feel if you learned that the assailant gained entry by either using an old key or by easily kicking the door open. Wouldn’t you be upset? Wouldn’t you what the apartment property manager punished for not acting responsibly? This is precisely why lawsuits are filed.

Starting today, take a look at all your apartment units to see if they comply with these basic security rules:

- re-key or replace deadbolt locks at resident turnover
- use 3" screws for strike plates on wooden doorjambs
- use secondary blocking devices for sliding doors and windows
- use anti-lift devices on sliding doors and windows
- replace window screens if missing or damaged
- use wide-angle 160-degree peepholes on entry doors
- participate in and document a new resident walk-through
- respond quickly to resident lock-repair requests

http://www.midwestdefense.com/

Home Security

2009-02-12T21:14:00.000-08:00

You Are Going On Vacation - Help Burglars Take One Too!

An empty house is a tempting target for a burglar. Use this checklist of tips to help safeguard your home while you're away.

* Have good locks on all doors and windows and USE THEM!
* Ask a neighbor to watch the house while you're away. It's a good idea to leave your vacation address and telephone number with a neighbor so you can be reached in case of an emergency.
* Never leave your house key hidden outside your home.
* Stop all deliveries, or arrange for a neighbor to pick up your mail, newspapers and packages.
* Arrange for someone to mow your lawn, rake leaves and maintain the yard to give the home a lived-in look.
* Plug in timers to turn lights, a radio or television on and off at appropriate times. This helps to disguise the fact that you are away.
* Don't announce your absence on answering machine messages.
* Leave your blinds, shades and curtains in a normal position. Don't close them unless that is what you do when you are home.
* Close and lock garage doors and windows. Ask a neighbor to occasionally park in your driveway. If you leave your car at home, park it as you normally would. Vehicles parked outside should be moved occasionally to appear that they are being used.
* Tell your local police you plan to be away. Patrol officers may have the opportunity to periodically check your home.
* Engrave your valuables as recommended in Operation I.D. This simple step will allow your stolen property to be identified and returned to you if recovered by the police.

Traveling Safety

* If you are driving, make sure your vehicle has been properly serviced and is in suitable condition for the journey.
* Try to have specific directions and routes to your destination.
* If you get lost, call the local police for directions or assistance.
* Always keep your vehicle doors and windows locked.
* At stop lights and other traffic delays, leave enough space in front of your vehicle so that you have an escape option in case of an emergency.
* Let someone know the route you intend to travel and your itinerary. This will help authorities in locating you if there is a need to do so.
* Plan your trip carefully and allow for factors such as weather, fatigue, facilities for lodging, food and fuel. Be sure you have sufficient finances, either cash, travelers checks or credit cards.
* Ask the hotel or motel staff about their security measures so you know what to expect.
* Use the hotel safe to store your valuables during your stay.

http://www.midwestdefense.com
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Handgun Self Defense

2009-02-09T21:13:00.000-08:00

one in four american women will be assaulted in her lifetime...every women has a right to defend themselves.

http://www.midwestdefense.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=8&products_id=127&zenid=8b49310de8b875ac989391080fb47022
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Kansas City, MO woman uses Pepper Spray in self defense

2009-02-08T11:20:00.000-08:00

An old story, but local and always relevent:

On March 28, 2005, a woman from Kansas City, Missouri drove into the parking lot of a car wash on Independence Ave. to clean her vehicle. She got out of her car to find two men approaching. One of the men revealed a gun and told her to give up her keys.

The woman reached for her keys as instructed, but pulled out the pepper spray on her key chain and sprayed the two men. The men backed off and she was able to escape without harm. While we do not suggest using pepper spray in cases where the aggressor is holding a lethal weapon such as a gun, we do recognize that some people have been able to escape the most difficult situations using their pepper spray key chains.

The woman was quoted by KCTV5 news: "Thank God. This is something that saved my life, and it could save any woman's life."

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Hotel/Motel Security for your Family

2009-02-06T12:12:00.000-08:00

Family Hotel and Motel Security

Our family is at the center of our personal universe. Most people would do almost anything for the sake of their family. That includes protecting them from known dangers and harm while lodging at hotels or motels. This becomes increasing difficult, at times, because we live in an open society where we share the same public places as the violent criminals like at hotels and motels..

Family Security Plan

Whenever your family walks out the front door they leave that zone of protection that you have created. The secret to keeping your family reasonable safe once they leave home is to have a family security plan. To develop a family security plan you must give careful thought to the public routines of each family member and think of ways to make them safer from the violent people in the world. The best way to accomplish this is to hold a family meeting to discuss this plan and play what if using different scenarios. For example, what if we need to stay overnight in a hotel? What steps should we take to make the process safer? What if we want to go to the swimming pool or gym? What precautions can we take to be safer in the parking lot? What if someone approaches to rob us while walking to our car on the street at night? What would we do and how would we react? Where would we go and who would we notify in case of emergency?
Most people have no such family plan and have not met as a family to discuss what if situations. When or if a criminal assault does occur, the family will not be prepared and will have to rely on instinct in response to the incident. What if their response instincts are wrong or their reactions inappropriate, under the circumstances? We read about these all the time in the newspaper or hear about them on television, for example, where a child was walking in an unfamiliar place and was tricked into a car of a total stranger and kidnapped.

Hotels and Motels

When traveling on business or pleasure with your family, it may become necessary to stay overnight in a hotel or motel. Your hotel room becomes your home for the night and is your sanctuary while you sleep. It is important to give some thought to what hotel or motel you select and what room you are willing to accept. The cost of the hotel room is not always a good predictor of how safe the room or property will be. There are a few rules of thumb that should apply to any hotel room you rent.

Room Location

Always request a room on an upper floor, if possible. Ground floor rooms are more vulnerable to crime problems because of access and ease of escape. In a high rise building, rooms above the fifth floor are usually safer than those below, again because of accessibility and ease of escape. Criminals do not want to be trapped on an upper floor inside a high-rise hotel. High-rise buildings usually have fewer ground level access points and are easier for the hotel staff to monitor who passes through the lobby after hours.

Room Security Features

Hotel or motel rooms should be equipped with a solid-wood or a metal door for best protection. Room doors should have a deadbolt lock with a one-inch throw bolt. If the lock looks worn or there are pry marks around the lock area, get another room or move to another hotel. The knob lock should be hotel-style where you can push a button on the inside knob and block out all keys. This feature is designed to prevent a former guest or housekeeper from entering the room once you are inside. Hotels with electronic card-access have the advantage of being able to disable former key-cards issued to other guests. The room door should have a wide-angle peephole so you can view who is at the door before opening. Do not rely on door chains or swing bars to secure the doors when you peek out to speak someone. Teach your children not to open the door to any hotel room without knowing the person on the other side.

Make sure all windows and sliding doors are secured if they are accessible from the ground. It is a good idea to pull on all windows and glass doors to test if they are secure. Beware of balconies where someone can climb from one to another and enter through an open window or sliding door. If the windows or sliding doors are not securable, ask for another room or find another hotel.

Supervise Children

Children should not be allowed to wander the hotel grounds unsupervised. Everyone at a hotel is a stranger and it is difficult to discern who is a registered guest or who has criminal intentions. Do not leave a child at the pool or gym unsupervised. These are prime targets for predators.
If you are a woman traveling alone or with small children, take advantage of car valet service, if available to avoid the parking lot. After checking in at the desk, ask the bellman or desk clerk to escort you to your room. After unlocking the room, quickly inspect the closets, under the bed, and bathroom including behind the shower curtain before the bellman leaves. When you find a suitable hotel that meets your standards and will cater to your needs, try to stick with it or with the same hotel chain.

-Always request a room on an upper floor, if possible
-A solid core door with a good deadbolt lock is best
-Electronic card-access locks minimize key control questions
-Make sure your door has a peephole and night latch and use it
-Use your do not disturb sign whenever you are in the room
-Inspect the room hiding places upon entering and check all locks
-Supervise children at al times especially at the pool or gym
-Ask the bellman for an escort and use valet parking, if alone

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