This post is originally authored at the home security blog at FamilyHomeSecurity.com.

To compete with services such as Foursquare, Twitter has recently released a targeted location sharing feature. This feature is called “Tweet With Your Location”, and is similar to other location sharing services. Here’s a quick guide to this feature, its potential advantages and disadvantages, as well as how you can protect your privacy.

How it Works

When you have the “Tweet With Your Location” feature enabled, every tweet you make will be tagged to your geographical location. This means that any twitter user can mouse over your tweet, and a pop-up map will pinpoint exactly from where you made your tweet. There are two choices: you can either have your general neighborhood be tagged to the tweet, or your geographical location. The neighborhood sharing feature is slightly more broad, since it only allows your general area to be attached to your tweets. Once you attach your location to a tweet, Twitter will store this information. To delete the location information from your past tweets, there is an option under your Settings > Account page.

This is what it looks like when you allow Twitter to attach your exact location to your tweets.

Advantages of Location Sharing

Sharing your physical location has recently become very popular among social network users. For example, if you are a club in Orlando, you have the ability to see who else from your Twitter friends is also at the same club. You can also search for tweets of random people who are currently there, which could range from “That DJ’s hair is awesome!” to “I wouldn’t recommend the sushi here”. This gives you a real-time stream of information about any given location.

Another potentially useful example would be checking tweets of people currently at a popular restaurant. With a few quick searches, you can see if there’s a long wait for a table, or if you can sneak in right before the dinner rush. This is a huge bonus in convenience.

When trying to network with a large group of people (such as if you are attending a live concert or a business conference), this feature could also give you real-time updates on where everyone is. Instead of asking everyone how long before they’ll reach the venue, you can check the location of their tweets.

“A recent burst of interest in location sharing applications, games, and services has many Twitter users excited about appending geographic data to some of their tweets” – Twitter co-founder Biz Stone.

Disadvantages of Location Sharing

Any time that you allow people to search for your personal schedule by using the internet, you are putting yourself at risk. For example, if you check in at a location several hours from home, a burglar can use this information to assume that your house will be unoccupied until you return. You may remember that filmmaker Israel Hyman was robbed, which was supposedly connected to a tweet that he made advertising that he was on vacation with his family in Kansas City. The website titled “Please Rob Me!” highlights how easy it really is for a burglar to discover empty homes in their area.

Reactions to Twitter’s location sharing feature have been mostly negative. Here are a few reactions taken from Twitter users about their opinions on location sharing:

“I know I’m paranoid but NO, I don’t want 2 tweet my location. Tweeting a million strangers where I am goes against my survival instinct.”- Twitter User Zazochi

“I turn it (Location Sharing) off, not like I have anything to steal at my current location, but you can never be too careful.”- Twitter User TinPanAlley

“…married with 2 daughters. Worries me, ladies announcing their schedule over and over. Makes it easy 4 predators.” – Twitter User lunarwrase

“Location sharing is fine if you want everyone to know where you are but if you respect any of your common rights, like privacy..it is unwise to share your location at all times.” – Twitter User Mighty_Lark

“I don’t use geo tracking, the less people know about me the better, too much information on the Internet already.”- Twitter User kyonkun

“Twitter Location Sharing is a great feature if used correctly but I still prefer FourSquare for better overall control/Privacy ”- Twitter User SpazWuzHere

Another disadvantage of location sharing (which applies more to women) is that it allows for extensive “stalking”. By constantly updating your location, you give people an idea of your weekly schedule, which means that a potential stalker could know when and where they could find you.

Protecting Your Privacy

By default, this location sharing feature is off in a user’s Twitter settings. To enable it, a user has to manually activate it by choosing the opt-in setting. If you do not want to share your location with your tweets, you can keep this feature off, and activate it later if you change your mind. To check to see if you have this feature enabled, navigate to:

Settings > Account

Then, look at the setting for “Tweet Location“. If the “Add a Location to your Tweets” box is checked, you are sharing this information. If not, your tweets will remain location-free.

As with any location sharing feature, it’s important to be very aware of what type of information that you share with the internet community. If your tweets are not protected, this means that they are visible even to people who aren’t following you. If you have any concerns about sharing your location being a security risk, you may want to double check to make sure that you aren’t sharing your location via Twitter.

YouTube Video about FourSquare, Gowalla and Twitter

Click here to view the embedded video.

Sources:

http://twitter.zendesk.com/attachments/token/v5ca220eeeff13u/?name=John_shadow-1.jpg

http://www.kokeytechnology.com/social-networks/twitter/twitter-debuts-location-sharing-feature-like-using-a-gps-device/

http://www.pcworld.com/article/191457/twitter_adds_locationsharing_im_eating_tacosin_texarkana.html

http://virgintech.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Local-trending-topics.jpg

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Some historians believe that 12,000 years ago, emigrants from Siberia traveled across the Bering Land Bridge into what is today known as Alaska. However, they weren’t alone. They brought with them hundreds of sled dogs, which is suggested to be the earliest form of dog domestication. Today, dogs are mostly kept as companions, work animals and family pets. However, some people keep dogs for a different reason – to have an animal bodyguard. 

What is a Personal Protection Dog?

A personal protection dog is an animal that is trained to protect against suspicious activity. These dogs are often subjected to very specific training, and may only obey spoken commands from a single person. Some personal protection dogs are “Bluff Dogs“, which are only designed to intimidate a person engaging in suspicious behavior. “Bluff Dogs” are often trained to bark, growl, lunge and engage in characteristic aggressive behaviors upon command. Other protection dogs are called “Man Stoppers“, which are trained to detain and hold a suspect until help arrives. “Man Stoppers” are dogs that can identify aggressive behavior in humans, and will attack upon command. Depending on your personal protection needs, you may choose to train a dog in either of these specializations.

Misconceptions about Protection Dogs

Many people mistakenly believe that personal protection dogs are constantly aggressive, and can’t be safely socialized in a family environment. However, with the proper training, a personal protection dog can also be a loving, affectionate and loyal family pet. The “attack dog” image causes many people to forget that protecting their “pack” is actually an inherited canine instinct. Dogs are naturally defensive of their pack-mates, and engaging in personal protection training may actually help you to strengthen your bond with your dog.

Protection Dog Breeds

Not all dog breeds are able to exhibit aggressive protective behavior. Some dogs have been selectively bred for specific breed-based traits over time, which may have caused their protective instinct to become less dominant. Here is a short list of dog breeds that can be effectively used as personal protection dogs:

• German Shepherd
• Doberman
• Pit Bull
• Rottweiler
• Akita Inu
• Bullmastiff
• American Bulldog
• Fila Brasileiro

Training a Personal Protection Dog

Due to the liability of keeping a dog that has the ability to obey attack commands, it’s strongly encouraged that personal protection dog training be done by a professional. Many dog trainers have a separate course for protection dogs. In order to be a protection dog, however, it’s essential that a dog first pass basic obedience classes. A dog must be completely obedient to their master in order to prevent them from attacking when unprovoked. The laws are very strict in regards to dog attacks – the dog’s owner is nearly always liable.By taking on the responsibility of keeping a personal protection dog, you are required to take every measure necessary to ensure that your dog will not cause unprovoked harm to others.

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This post is originally authored at the home security blog at FamilyHomeSecurity.com.

When many people think of self defense, they immediately associate it with martial arts. Becoming skilled in a martial art can be a great way to improve muscle tone, gain concentration and lose weight. However, taking a martial arts class can also help you to defend yourself in times of need. There are many different martial arts styles, each of which focus on a specific set of goals and concepts. However, how can you choose the best martial arts style that fits you?

Evaluate Your Goals
Before you begin to research martial arts styles, you first need to decide to outline a list of goals. Possible reasons for taking a martial art may include:

• Self Defense
• Weight Loss
• Enhanced Flexibility
• Meeting New People

Write down your reasons for taking a martial art, in the order of their priority. Decide how important each reason is to you, and what you would like to achieve from your classes. Once you have compiled this list, you can begin to research different styles, and evaluate how well they fit your goals.

Classify Your Body Type
Some martial art styles are very physically demanding, and are significantly easier for people in top physical shape. Other styles are suited to people that are exceptionally short, or have good leg strength. Other styles are designed to minimize damage to your limbs while effectively defending your core. Be honest if you’re overweight, and may not be able to participate in some of the more demanding martial art styles. At this time, you should also choose if you want your style to be focused primarily on disabling your opponent, self defense, or adopting an offensive stance.

Choose Your Style
Here is a brief overview of some of the more popular martial arts styles, as well as what body type they are best suited for. This is a general guide, and it’s recommended that you attend at least one “test” class before committing to a specific martial arts style.

Tae Kwon Do
Tae Kwon Do focuses primarily on kicking and using lower body strength. This style is best suited to someone who is flexible, with a long reach. Usually, Tae Kwon Do is best for people that are tall, with long limbs. However, if you have a significant amount of muscle or fat on your legs, you may not be able to execute some of the faster and more complicated kicks in this martial arts style.

Judo
The martial arts style of Judo focuses on unbalancing your opponent, usually through complicated throwing techniques. Because of this, Judo is best suited to someone who has a short, stocky body style. Since Judo focuses on staying off of the ground, it can also be possible for tall, slender body physiques as well. However, shorter people usually have more success with the Judo fighting style.

Kendo
Kendo is an ancient martial arts style that places a huge emphasis on formality and etiquette. Kendo can be a great martial arts style for someone looking to learn discipline and concentration. However, the uniforms and weapons in Kendo tend to be fairly expensive, so it’s important to keep this in mind.

Krav Maga
Krav Maga is an Israeli martial arts style that has recently become popular with the American Army. Krav Maga is very physically demanding, and focuses on dealing damage to your opponent. The style can be likened most with “street fighting”, due to the abundance of grappling, striking and wrestling techniques that are used with this style.

Karate
Recently, the term “Karate” has been generalized to include many different martial arts styles. There are martial arts schools that say they focus on “Karate”, but this can mean any number of things. Usually, a Karate class will focus on direct hitting with punches, kicks, open-handed strikes and elbow contact.

Jujitsu
The concept of Jujitsu focuses on disarming an armed opponent, or disabling an unarmed opponent. Jujitsu requires you to be fairly small, since it will involve moves in which you roll quickly away from your opponent, or sometimes even dart through their legs. Jujitsu will also require you to be on the ground constantly, so it’s important that you aren’t carrying a significant amount of weight.

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This post is originally authored at the home security blog at FamilyHomeSecurity.com.

Stun guns are a very popular defensive tool used by students, women and other people who require additional protection for their personal safety. There are many different types of tasers and stun guns on the market, which tend to vary greatly in price and features. If you’re currently looking to purchase a taser, you may be slightly intimidated at the number of choices. Here is some useful information that will help you to choose a stun gun that will best help you to stay safe.

A Word of Caution

Just like many other defensive products, tasers and/or stun guns are not legal in all states. In addition to this, some states have strict restrictions on stun guns and other self defense products. It’s important to be aware of these laws before purchasing a stun gun, especially if you’re traveling. If you are caught with a stun gun in a city or state that has an operational ban, you could face legal consequences as well as a hefty fine. Here are some states that currently have strict restrictions on stun guns.

States with Taser/Stun Gun Bans

• Wisconsin
• Rhode Island
• New York
• New Jersey
• Michigan**
• Massachusetts
• Hawaii
• District of Columbia

** Michigan only allows stun guns and/or tasers to be possessed by sworn police officers, aircraft pilots, bail agents and private investigators. In addition to this, each stun gun contains a tracking device that identifies its owner. Violation of this law is punishable as a serious offense.

States with Restrictions

Connecticut
In Connecticut, it is illegal to possess a taser or stun gun outside of your home. If caught with a taser in your vehicle or on your person, you may be punished by up to 3 years in prison, federal charges and a monetary fine. These restrictions exclude law enforcement officers.

Arizona
In Arizona, it is legal to carry a stun gun or taser for defensive purposes. However, every sale of a stun gun or taser is required to be documented by the seller, under penalty of legal consequences.

Indiana
In Indiana, there are specific restrictions pertaining to stun guns, tasers and electric stun weapons. If you wish to purchase a taser, you need to obtain a handgun licence.

New Hampshire
In New Hampshire, it’s illegal to sell a taser or stun gun to an individual that is under the age of 18. If used against a law enforcement officer, use of a taser is punishable by a potential felony charge.

North Dakota
In North Dakota, it’s prohibited to carry a stun gun or taser in a liquor establishment, or into a casino/gaming site. When carrying concealed, you must have a licence.

It’s also important to note that not all cities follow the same laws as their specific states. For example, it may be legal to carry a stun gun in a specific state, but it may be punishable by criminal charges in certain cities. When traveling, be sure to double-check the state and city laws in order to ensure that you can safely carry a stun gun or taser.

Types of Stun Guns/Tasers

In general, there are three different types of tasers, each of which uses a slightly different electrical impulse to provide a method of self defense. The three types are:

Static Charge
This type of stun gun operates as a defensive tool by utilizing a static charge, which powers the electrical current.  Range of voltage is usually from 80,000 and 625,000.

Phase Induction
This type of stun gun (often sold under the “Talon” brand name) is able to deliver an electric shock through using phase induction. This is a more efficient method of delivery, and is more powerful than the Static Charge type of stun gun.

T-Wave
The T-Wave stun gun is the type most commonly used by law enforcement officers. It uses two small barbed darts, which deliver an EMD (Electro Muscular Disruption) charge to an assailant. The darts are usually released by compressed nitrogen gas chambers, which need to be reloaded in between firings of the stun gun.

Close Contact or Ranged?

Some stun guns require direct contact between the device and a potential assailant in order to operate. Other tasers fire two pronged charges that can stun an assailant through clothing. In addition to this, some devices are able to stun both on direct contact, and from a distance. It’s important to remember that a ranged stun gun will require that you re-load the wires, as well as install a replacement air cartridge in between firings. This means that if you miss the first time, you won’t be able to fire again.

For most students, women and other individuals interested in personal safety, it’s best to stick with the direct contact tasers. They don’t require expensive refills, and are able to be used repeatedly until their battery charge is depleted. In addition to this, they are often small enough that they can be kept in a purse, laptop bag or backpack in case of an emergency.

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This post is originally authored at the home security blog at FamilyHomeSecurity.com.

In today’s world, it’s very important to take the necessary steps to protect your personal safety. One of the most common crime-related problems that many people fear when traveling, is that they will be mugged or robbed. This is an especially common fear when traveling in an unfamiliar area, or walking alone during the night hours. Here is some useful advice that you can use to protect yourself against muggers, or discourage them from choosing you as their target.

Be Inconspicuous.
Even if you’re a naturally creative person, it’s best to avoid standing out from the crowd. Avoid wearing bright colors, flashy jewelry or carrying an expensive bag/purse. If you’re traveling in the city, it’s usually best to choose your attire by what most other people are wearing. In most cases, a dark-toned overcoat with a stylish cut will allow you to be comfortable, yet avoid attracting too much attention.

Travel Smart.
Though it may be common sense, avoiding dangerous areas while traveling can greatly lower your risk of being a target of crime. Before entering an area, plan your route to your destination. If necessary, make use of public transportation in order to avoid unnecessary travel in dangerous areas.

Be Prepared.
In the event that you are threatened by a criminal, you may need to defend yourself. It’s highly recommended that you carry a travel-size can of pepper spray in your purse or bag when traveling in dangerous areas. However, some states have restrictions that prohibit certain types of pepper spray. For a more detailed explanation of these state-specific regulations, as well as some important tips about pepper spray, you can read: Defensive Pepper Spray – A Buyer’s Guide.

Bring a Companion.
As a general rule, it’s always best to travel with a companion than to travel alone. When possible, bring someone with you if you absolutely need to travel through a dangerous area. If you are in an unfamiliar city, ask a friend or relative to accompany you. Traveling alone may be appealing to some, but it also increases your risk of being targeted by potential thieves.

Don’t Be a Tourist.
Many criminals target potential mugging victims from the tourist population in a specific area. Because of this, try not to be too conspicuous about your tourism activities. Avoid wearing novelty items, or taking an excessive amount of pictures when in a dangerous area.

Don’t Flash Your Wallet.
Many cities have street vendors that offer a variety of inexpensive items for purchase. However, when removing money from your wallet or purse to purchase an item, you are making yourself vulnerable. Try to avoid removing your wallet from your pocket, since it may be easily taken by a potential thief.  Instead, remove only enough money for street purchases, keeping it in the front pocket of your pants or coat.

Never Press Your Luck.
In order to be completely safe, if you feel that you are in a dangerous situation, it’s always best to leave. Even if you are only confronted by a single attacker, do not risk your own safety because you believe you have a chance of overpowering them. If you have a defensive item such as pepper spray, use it to disorient your attacker, and then immediately run to a safe area.

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This post is originally authored at the home security blog at FamilyHomeSecurity.com.

When it comes to personal security, there are many things that you can do to feel safe. Aside from using common sense when outside of your home, you can also choose to carry defensive tools in case of an emergency. Pepper Spray (also called ‘Mace’) has become a defensive standard mostly targeted towards single women, though can be a useful personal protection tool for anyone looking for extra personal security. However, not all pepper spray products are equally effective as a self defense product. Here is some information that can help you make the best choice when buying pepper spray.

A Word of Caution

Pepper Spray devices are technically legal in every state, though may often be subject to strict regulations. In order to avoid being fined or charged with possessing an illegal pepper spray product, be sure to pay attention to your specific state’s regulations. Many states restrict the percentage concentration of the active ingredient in many pepper spray products, or the specific chemical that can be used. States that currently have regulations are:

California
In California, it is only legal to carry or possess a pepper spraying canister that is less than 2.5 ounces in net weight. Approved canisters must also carry a warning label.

New York
In New York, you may only purchase a pepper spray product from a licensed firearms dealer or an approved pharmacy. Purchasing from any other source may result in a fine or legal action.

Wisconsin
In Wisconsin, only pepper sprays containing OC (Oleoresin Capsicum) as the active ingredient are legal. Sprays with CS or CN (man-made ‘tear gas’ chemicals) are illegal in Wisconsin. The OC concentration in the spray must not be stronger than 10%, and the can must be between 15 and 60 grams. Safety features are also a requirement.

Michigan
CS tear gas and OC pepper spray are both legal in Michigan. However, the OC concentrate in the pepper spray must not be more than 2% concentration. The limit for both pepper spray and tear gas is 35 grams, with tear/pepper combination sprays being illegal.

Massachusetts
To purchase pepper spray in Massachusetts, you must obtain a FID (Firearms Identification Card). In addition to this, it is only legal to purchase pepper spray from licensed firearm dealers locally.

In addition to these state-specific laws, it is never legal to carry pepper spray onto an aircraft. You may be able to carry pepper spray in your checked baggage, as long as you inform your airline beforehand. Pepper spray may also be banned from courthouses, federal buildings and other places that involve passing through a security checkpoint.

Types of Pepper Spray Devices

Not all pepper spray devices are designed to work in the same way. Some are designed to emit a liquid spray, others emit a foam or a fog-like gas. For defensive purposes, a liquid stream spray is usually the best choice. This is also sometimes referred to as the spray pattern of a specific pepper spray product.

Active Ingredient Percentage

The active ingredient in most pepper spray products is called Oleoresin Capsicum, or OC. This is a concentrated substance that is made from extracts from certain hot peppers (such as cayenne). When sprayed in self defense, it causes your attacker to experience temporary blindness, burning sensations, disorientation and other symptoms.

Many people mistakenly believe that the percentage concentration determines how effective a pepper spray product is. However, this is not true. Pepper sprays with a higher percentage concentration (>10%) may take longer to be effective, and are also illegal in certain states. It’s usually best to purchase a pepper spray product that has from a 2% to 5% OC concentration.

The main factor that affects how well a pepper spray product works as a self-defense measure is the SHU units of the spray. SHU stands for ‘Scoville Heat Units’, and is a rating of how potent the OC concentration in the spray is. You should usually try to purchase a pepper spray product that has at least a 3 million SHU rating.

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This post is originally authored at the home security blog at FamilyHomeSecurity.com.

If you were injured on a crowded street, would you expect the people around you to come to your aid? If you were being robbed in a public area, could you count on an honest citizen intervening on your behalf? As an easy answer, many of us are quick to rely on the protection of other people. Generally, we find that we feel safer amongst large groups of people, since most criminals prefer to conduct their activities unnoticed.

However, there is a social psychological phenomenon called the “Bystander Effect”, which theorizes that we are actually less likely to be helped when in large groups of people. According to the theory, the more people witness an emergency situation, the lower the chances are that any of those people will actually step in to provide assistance.

Kitty Genovese
Perhaps the most famous source for the Bystander Effect theory is the 1964 stabbing murder of Kitty Genovese. According to newspaper reports of the event, Kitty Genovese was stabbed to death by a serial rapist and murderer, while at least 38 witnesses were present. The murder apparently took place over ten minutes, with Ms. Genovese crying for help. Even though her cries were easily audible, no one came to her aid. At one point, the killer even left for a period of time, and then returned to finish off Ms. Genovese. Though this story was later discovered to be largely exaggerated by the newspaper article, it is often cited in many college textbooks as being a prime example of the bystander effect.

The Five-Step Process
According to most psychological studies, a bystander of an emergency situation will go through five separate phases, during each phase of which they will decide that there is nothing they can do.

1. First, a bystander will notice the event, and take note of the events that are transpiring.
2. Second, a bystander will realize that there is an emergency (but decide that there is nothing they can do).
3. Third, a bystander will either assume responsibility, or assume that other bystanders will assume responsibility for the situation.
4. Fourth, a bystander will either recognize that they have the knowledge to help the situation, or acknowledge that they do not know enough to be helpful.
5. Fifth, a bystander will either act to help the situation, or simply remain an observer.

Modern Explanation

With recent studies, it has been suggested that the reason people may not act in an emergency situation is actually a bit more complex. It may be related to personal beliefs, or out of a desire for self-preservation. It may even be related to a racism issue about the persons or people who are involved in the emergency. Two of the most commonly cited reasons for a lack of action in laboratory studies were “fear of bad consequences” and a “loss of important personal relationships”.

Sources:

http://changingminds.org/explanations/theories/bystander_effect.htm

http://psychology.about.com/od/socialpsychology/a/bystandereffect.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bystander_effect

This post is originally authored at the home security blog at FamilyHomeSecurity.com.

Its funny how mundane day-to-day tasks can leave us full of anxiety when we must conduct them under the guise of night. One activity that no doubt can create some anxiety is parking and returning to your car in an empty street or car parking lot.  This can also be a frequent experience with working late at work or returning home after a late night out with friends. Fortunately there are some simple tips you can take note of to keep an eye on your safety and make yourself feel more secure the next time you make a late night trip.

Tips for parking your car late at night

-Try to park your car in a well-lit, busy area.

-When parking in more secluded places, make sure to look around before getting out of your vehicle.

-Do not leave your car in parking lots where attendants leave vehicle doors unlocked or request to hold your keys. If you must, leave only your ignition key.

-Ask the parking attendant whether the lot will still be attended to and well-lit when you return.

-When parking in large underground or enclosed lots be extra cautious of the surroundings. Walk in the center aisles rather than between the parked cars. If you have the choice, park in lots that have security patrols or an attendant. Areas that have heavy pedestrian or vehicle traffic would also be preferred.

-When parking in any type of lot, try to park close to a walkway or building entrance. Always avoid parking far away from others.

-Be aware of your environment before exiting your vehicle. Turn off your engine, listen for any sounds. Use your mirrors to help scan the area.

Tips for returning to your car late at night

-Upon approaching your vehicle be aware of your surroundings. The best possible situation is if you can clearly see your vehicle from a safe distance. Are there any obstructions that are limiting your view?

-Check under the vehicle from a distance to make sure that no one is hiding under your car. As you move closer, be alert to other vehicles parked close by.

-Suspicious situations would include: an occupied vehicle parked close by, or a nearby vehicle in which you cannot see inside. Also, be cautious of any suspicious person approaching as you near your car.

-If there is a group of individuals near you car: do not attempt to approach your car, immediately contact police or a security officer for an escort.

-If your car looks odd, or perhaps has a flat tire, leave at once and seek help.

-Visually check the front and rear passenger compartments before entering. If you own a hatchback check the rear compartment as well.

-Have your key in your hand before reaching your car.

-Consider installing a remote car starter. As you approach your vehicle in a parking lot, activate the signal to start your car. Many car starters illuminate the parking lights as they start. During the evening hours, this may deter an aggressor who might think that there is someone else in the car waiting for you.

-If your instincts tell you that something is not right, leave the situation immediately and request an escort from building security, a store manager, or contact the police. Ignoring your instincts if you do not feel safe is simply not worth the risk.

This post is originally authored at the home security blog at FamilyHomeSecurity.com.

Fortunately, most people will never be in a position where they are in close proximity to a riot. However, in the interest of personal safety, it is always best to be prepared in case you are encountered with this situation. Though rare, riots can break out even in well-respected communities.

After Hurricane Katrina, the rioting and looting that occurred in New Orleans was severe enough to interfere with rescue efforts. In 1992, the riots in Los Angeles lasted for several days, with over 2,000 documented injuries. In June of 2009, thousands of rioters trashed downtown LA after a sporting event, even setting fire to at least once police car. In the case that you ever have to encounter this dangerous situation, there are some things that you can do to keep your family safe.

A riot is defined as a form of civil disorder participated in by a gathering of people, who act out due to an undesirable situation. This situation may be increased taxes, high unemployment, the result of a sporting event or unpopular governmental decisions. Though riots are more common in third-world countries, it’s still important that you know the basics of surviving a riot, so that you can act quickly in a worst-case scenario.

How Can I Keep My Family Safe During a Riot?

Stay Indoors!
The most important thing to remember during a riot is that you are safest if you stay indoors. The behavior of a riot crowd can be unpredictable, and you are always safest if you remain out of the way of the rioters.

Stay Away from Windows.
Due to the sometimes violent nature of rioters, it’s best if you stay as far away from the windows and doors in your home as possible. This can prevent you from becoming unnecessarily injured by gunfire, glass, bricks or other dangerous materials.

Remain Calm.
By not panicking, you are increasing your ability to think clearly in a difficult situation. If you are able to force yourself to remain calm, you have a greater chance of making rational decisions that will ensure the safety of both you and your family.

Your Safety is Most Important.
If the situation escalates to the point where you believe that your home is in danger of being looted, or that your life is in danger, leave immediately.Your safety is more important than any possessions that are inside your home. Do not try to take anything with you, except for the members of your household.

Have an Exit Route.
In the event that you do need to leave your home quickly, it’s best if you have a quick way to exit your home. Having an exit route is a good way to ensure that your family will be able to leave the house on short notice during any sort of safety situation.

What Should I Do if I’m Away From Home?

Be Prepared.
Though riots are often difficult to predict, if you are traveling in an area that is a known place of civil unrest, there are certain things that you can do to keep yourself safe. Wear clothes that cover all of your exposed skin, and that fit in with the local dress. It’s important that you blend in, and do not appear to distinguish yourself in any way. Rioters can be unpredictable, and you may be the target for violence if you stand out as an outsider.

Have an Escape.
During a riot, it’s important that you get as far away from the rioting crowd as possible. If you are in an area that you know well, this may be easy for you. However, if you are in an unfamiliar area, you may have a bit more difficulty. Before traveling to an unfamiliar area, it’s best if you have a general idea of how to make your way around the area without attracting too much attention.

This post is originally authored at the home security blog at FamilyHomeSecurity.com.

Statistics have shown that people who are living alone are at an increased risk to be victimized by a crime. This is usually because experienced burglars will target dwellings with a single resident, in order to minimize their chances of being caught. In addition to this, other criminals may prey on single homeowners for car theft, assault, general robbery and other crimes. However, it is possible to protect yourself, by following a few simple guidelines.

Living Alone Security Tip #1 – Install Security Lights
This is one of the most commonly cited ways to increase your home security, and for good reason. The inclusion of motion-sensing, high-intensity security lighting on and around your property can be a great way to discourage potential intruders. When you are living by yourself, your personal security becomes much more important. Security lighting is relatively inexpensive, being available for purchase at many hardware stores and online retailers. Even if you are currently residing in an apartment complex, you may still be able to get approval to install security lighting near your windows or doors.

Living Alone Security Tip #2 – Common Sense
Lock your doors, windows, and any other entry points into your residence. Though it’s best to keep your doors locked at all times, you can also opt to keep your residence locked as soon as it gets dark. Windows should always be locked when closed, even if you are currently at home.

Living Alone Security Tip #3 – Security Cameras
If you have a flexible budget for personal security, you can invest in a security camera system that will allow you to monitor your home at all times. However, if you are in a tight financial situation, a “dummy” security camera can also be used to help deter potential burglars. These fake security cameras are usually operated by batteries, and give the appearance that your home is being protected by a security camera system.

Living Alone Security Tip #4 – Always have Phone Access
Even if you are simply parking your car in your driveway, it’s best if you always keep your cell phone close at hand. This is especially important if you have a job that requires you to work late, or if you are returning home during nighttime hours.

Living Alone Security Tip #5 – Know Your Neighbors
A great way to improve your personal security when living alone is to get to know your neighbors. As soon as you move into a new residence, make a point to introduce yourself to your neighbors. This can help ensure that if any of your neighbors notice suspicious activity around your residence, they will alert the authorities.

Living Alone Security Tip #6 – Install a Home Security System
While purchasing a home security system may seem like a significant expense, it can actually be a cost-effective way to protect your personal safety, as well as the safety of your home. Many home security systems offer customizable plans and competitive pricing, which can help you to choose the system that will best suit your needs. In addition to this, having a home security system provides peace-of-mind, in knowing that your home is protected against potential intruders. Many homeowner insurance policies offer a discount on their rates if your home is protected by a security system.