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

“1 in 4 boys who bully will have a criminal record by age 30.” – American Medical Association

Bullying is a big problem. The United States government even built a website (Stop Bullying) filled with resources that help children, parents, teachers and others learn more about bullying and how to stop it.

Learn the high level facts and statistics about bullying below:

Infographic source: MAT@USC

Related posts:

1. The Dangers of Cyber Bullying This post is originally authored at the home security blog...

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

It’s no secret – we’re a society that relies heavily on the internet. As our technology becomes more advanced, we also increase our reliance on being connected to the internet 24/7. While this in itself isn’t a bad thing, it has introduced a unique issue – internet addiction.

If you ask the average person, they wouldn’t admit to being addicted to the internet. However, how much time do you really spend online each day? If you’re without access for a period of time, do you begin to feel anxious and disconnected? You might not realize how dependent you’ve become on having access to the internet on a regular basis. Here are some tips for dealing with internet addiction.

Start Timing Yourself.
The most important part of dealing with any addiction is recognizing that you have a problem. To do this, start timing exactly how much time each day you spend online. You can do this with a regular kitchen timer, or you can keep a running tally of exactly how much time you spend in front of your computer. Have an internet-enabled cell phone? Don’t forget to count the hours you spend on your mobile browser as well!

Make Time for Disconnection.
A good habit to get into is to set aside designated time each day (or each week) when you won’t spend time online. It’s best if this is a time you can stick to, since a routine is extremely important when dealing with internet addiction. This time away from your computer (and phone’s browser) can be a great way to let your brain “rest”, and realize that you don’t need constant internet access to be entertained.

Make Time for Other Activities.
I’m sure our children and grandchildren will be asking us, “What did you do in the days before internet?”. How will you answer this question? There are still a lot of fun (and entertaining) activities that you don’t need the internet to enjoy. You could organize a popcorn and movie night with your family. Or, you could plan a family camping trip for a weekend when you don’t have to work. Even a day spent outdoors hiking, kayaking or playing sports can be a great way to get your mind off of the constant need to be connected online.

Spend More “Face” Time.
Sure, you talk to your best friend on Facebook, but when’s the last time you talked face-to-face? Take some time out of your week to visit all of your local friends to have a “real life” conversation. You’ll be surprised at how much more fulfilling it is to interact with someone in person.

Related posts:

1. 4 Key Warning Signs of Internet Addiction This post is originally authored at the home security blog...

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

The beautiful summer sun shines in a cloudless sky, as you lounge in a beach chair watching the ocean waves. Your family is around you, the sunshine is warm, and the tang of salt water is tangible on the light breeze. It’s the perfect family vacation!

During the summer months, thousands of families take to the beach for a relaxing ocean vacation. With around 12,000 miles of total coastline in the United States and surrounding territories, you’re bound to find an ocean beach that gives you the perfect getaway.

However, during your ocean vacation, you’ll still need to keep your family’s safety in mind. Here are a few tips to help you have a relaxing and safe ocean beach vacation.

Beware of Rip Currents
Rip currents are the number one danger for many ocean locations. These powerful jets of water will pull you quickly away from shore, and can quickly exhaust you while swimming. If you do get caught in a rip current — don’t panic! Instead of trying to swim directly towards shore, instead try swimming parallel to shore.  Eventually, you should be able to break free of the rip current, and make your way to safety. Be sure to tell your family about how to escape a rip current.

Respect Local Wildlife
This isn’t just so that you can avoid disturbing animals in their natural habitat – it’s very important for safety as well. Most ocean-living organisms will leave you and your family alone, as long as they aren’t disturbed. However, you still need to be aware of any poisonous or potentially dangerous wildlife in the area where you’ll be having your vacation. This could include jellyfish, poisonous fish or even local insects. Be sure that you know the proper treatment method for dealing with an incident involving local animals.

Anticipate Changing Weather
Many ocean areas are subject to rapidly changing weather patterns. While you may be enjoying a beautiful cloudless sky one minute, a powerful storm could roll in without warning! Be sure to pay attention to any changes in the temperature, air pressure or wind speed while vacationing in an ocean area.  You should also get regular updates on the weather forecast, including the chance of any storms developing. If you hear thunder or see lightning – don’t delay! Immediately get your family dried off, leave the beach area and bring them to safety.

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

A few years ago, a group of hikers left on a day-long excursion to the mountains. However, when a storm hit, they weren’t able to return home. During the storm, they lost the trail, and became completely stranded in the woods. Without any supplies, food or water, the hikers had to figure out how to survive, especially since one of their party had been seriously injured during an accident. Though the group was rescued a few days later, the injured member nearly died during the experience. Experts agreed later that if one member of the group had been trained in first aid, they could have provided better care during their survival experience.

First aid training has become widely available to the public over the past few years. It’s also become extremely affordable, especially from public organizations like the American Red Cross. First aid training might not be your top priority right now, but there are many good reasons why you should think about taking a first aid class.

Natural Disasters
During a natural disaster, you might be cut off from medical care, at least for a short time. By obtaining training in first aid, you can rest easy knowing that you’ll be able to provide a basic level of medical care for your family. Also, being trained in first aid can allow you to assist others that may become injured during a natural disaster.

Family Emergencies
On the chance that someone in your family becomes injured at home, how long are you willing to wait for medical care? By having first aid knowledge, you can have a much better chance of providing care until certified medical help can arrive. If someone in your family has a medical condition (such as diabetes) it’s best to know how to treat complications of their condition. First aid classes can go a long way towards helping you understand how to take care of your family during an emergency situation.

Camping or Hiking Trips
Most families take a vacation during the year, often to a campground or hiking area. If you’re taking your family to an area that won’t have readily available medical care, it’s better if you have at least a basic level of first aid training. You might only have to treat sprained ankles and skinned knees, or you might have to deal with a real medical emergency. Wouldn’t you feel better if you were prepared to deal with any sort of medical situation?

Personal Safety
Knowing how to treat even basic injuries can go a long way towards improving your personal safety. Do you know how to treat a puncture wound? How to deal with a poisonous snake bite? What to do if you think you’ve broken a bone? By taking control of your own personal safety, you can improve your chances of a quick recovery from any injury.

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

Let’s face it – the chance of you actually needing to wear a kevlar vest (unless you’re in law enforcement) are very small. Though handgun crimes are common in certain areas, the average person has an extremely low chance of needing bullet protection. However, some people like the peace of mind offered by a bulletproof kevlar vest. If you’re in the market, here are a few tips for choosing the vest that’s right for you.

Protection Level
The main factor that you’ll probably want to consider is the level of protection that you want out of your kevlar vest.  Though a higher level offers better protection, it can also be much heavier and more difficult to conceal compared to some other types of vests. Also, you have to take into consideration what types of calibers you would like protection from. For example, the .22 rifle bullet is common, but most situations involving gunfire might be more likely to involve handguns than rifles. The protection levels are:

Level I
This type of vest is lightweight and easy to conceal. However, it also only has a low level of stopping power. It can stop .22 rifle bullets (with an impact velocity of less than 1,050), 38 special rounds, .25 handgun rounds and .32 handgun rounds.

Level IIA
This level of protection can take an impact from .45 automatic rounds, 38 special +P rounds, 9mm rounds and 357 Magnum rounds.

Level II
This vest is designed to withstand 357 Magnum rounds  and 9mm rounds with a higher velocity.

Level IIIA
The Level IIIA vest protection level can withstand 9mm rounds that have a full metal jackets, which have a high impact velocity. It can also withstand most handgun rounds, as well as .44 Magnum rounds.

Level III
This level of protection is designed mostly for protection against high-powered rifle rounds, such as 7.62mm round with full metal jackets. It can also protect against 30 Carbine FMJ bullets, and 12 gauge rifled slugs.

Level IV
You’ll only need this level of protection from a bulletproof vest if you are seeking protection from armor-piercing rounds. This vest will help take the impact of 30 caliber armor-piercing bullets, as long as they have a nominal mass of 10.8 grams.

Disclaimer – These protection levels are meant as a basic guideline only. Other factors, such as the distance between the vest and gun, or the angle of the bullet could affect how much protection each vest offers. 

Making Your Decision

If you’re simply purchasing a bulletproof vest for peace of mind, you’ll probably be safe with buying a vest that offers protection from the most common caliber bullets. If you want to be able to easily conceal your vest, you’ll probably be purchasing one of the lower-level protection vests, since they’re lighter and less bulky. Some kevlar bulletproof vests are specially designed so that they can be worn underneath clothing without being conspicuous.

In the end, it comes down to your specific reasons for purchasing a bulletproof vest, and which factors are important to you. As stated before, the chances of an average person needing protection from gunfire are extremely low. However, if you have the extra money, and would like some “peace of mind” insurance, a kevlar vest might be the best option for your personal security.

Related posts:

1. An Introductory Guide to Personal Protection Dogs This post is originally authored at the home security blog...

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

It’s a gorgeous summer day. The temperature is in the high 90′s, the sun is shining, and it’s too hot for most outdoor activities. Suddenly, you have a brilliant idea! You pack your kids in the car, grab some towels, pick up some sunscreen and head to the beach. What better way to spend a beautiful summer day than swimming with family?

Summer is the most popular time for many families to hit the water for some aquatic fun. However, there are some important safety tips that you should be aware of. Here’s some information to help your lake trip be fun, safe and accident-free.

Stay Close to the Lifeguard
It’s best to park your towels and umbrellas a short distance away from the lifeguard stand. This will make it much easier for your lifeguard to assist you (or your children) in the event of an emergency.

No Lifeguard?
Some beaches don’t have a dedicated lifeguard on duty.  If this is the case, you’re going to want to be extra careful with your children. Don’t allow younger children to go above waist-deep in the water. It’s best to also have your children wear life preservers (no matter how much they complain!). If you’re still concerned, you can even take a lifeguard course to become certified yourself.

Bring First Aid Supplies
It’s best to bring your own first aid kit when going to the beach. Though most lifeguard stations will often have a fully stocked first aid kit, you might need yours for small emergencies. Scraped knees, cut feet and bug bites are all minor issues that can be easily treated with a basic first aid kit. If you’d like to gain a greater degree of control over your family’s safety, you can take a Red Cross First Aid course, which will teach you how to deal with more serious injuries or health conditions.

Swim Responsibly
Don’t try to outdo yourself while at the beach. It’s important to understand your limitations, especially if you’re not a particularly good swimmer. If you’re feeling tired, or light-headed, cease all physical exertion immediately. It’s important to bring water to stay hydrated (even though you’re surrounded by water!).

Use Sunscreen
Both UVA and UVB rays represent a real hazard when you’re at the beach – both for you, and your children. You should always carry sunscreen that offers protection from both UVA and UVB rays. At the beach, you’ll probably need to reapply sunscreen every hour, even if you’re using a waterproof formula.

Know Your Wildlife
Every swimming area usually provides a natural habitat for wildlife. While wildlife are fun to watch (especially for your kids) don’t get too close! Disturbing wildlife could cause animals to become startled, which could cause them to either flee or become aggressive. Teach your children to respect wildlife in the area, and not to get too close to animals in their natural habitat.

Pack for Bad Weather
Even with a great weather forecast, it’s still possible that a storm could strike at any minute. To be safe, pack enough extra clothing and rain gear in case you get caught in a storm at the beach. If you live in an area that’s prone to severe weather, you should also pack a “hurricane kit” of extended supplies for emergencies.

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

There are hundreds of articles, publications and videos that talk about the importance of preparing your family for a potential disaster. However, did you know that less than 5% of families have an evacuation strategy for their home? There are a wide variety of scenarios which might require you to leave home in a hurry. Here’s a quick guide to what you can do to plan an evacuation strategy for your family.

Planning for Different Scenarios

Deciding on an evacuation strategy for a house fire will be drastically different than planning an evacuation for a home invasion. It’s best to have at least a few strategies for each scenario. You should have an evacuation plan for the following situations:

• Flash Flood
• Mandatory (ordered) Evacuation
• Home Invasion
• House Fire
• Hurricane
• Tornado
• Earthquake

You can also plan your evacuation to prioritize for disasters that are a high risk in your area. For example, if you live on the East Coast, you might want to make your first plan for a hurricane evacuation. If you live in a high risk flood area, you’ll want to make your flood evacuation plan first.

Making Your Plan

Once you’ve outlined your evacuation scenarios, it’s time to make a definitive plan. Your goal should be to get your family out of your home in the easiest and safest way possible. To start, first mark all of the entrances and exits in your home. This should include alternative exits, such as windows, skylights and basement access areas. Though your priority will be to evacuate through one of your doors, this may not be possible in all scenarios.

To plan for a second-floor evacuation, make sure that there’s an easily accessible escape ladder in at least two of your upstairs rooms. Most escape ladders can be folded for easy storage. Make sure your escape ladder is long enough to allow your family members to reach the ground safely.

Evacuation Supplies

It’s best to have a “grab and go” evacuation kit that can be used in the event of an emergency situation. This kit should be multi-purpose, and have basic supplies for your family. Aside from other items, be sure to include:

• Food
• Water
• At least one change of clothing for each family member
• Flashlight
• Communication (i.e. Walkie Talkies) in case of separation
• Portable shelter or tent
• Basic medical supplies
• Water Purification System

Implementing Your Plan

Once you have your final plan, it’s time to begin educating your family. Work with all members of your family on the plan, especially small children. Evacuation doesn’t have to be scary – you can make your evacuation drills a fun activity for your kids. This will help them stay calm and focused in the event of a “real” evacuation.

You should give each family member a checklist to use when evacuating. This checklist can be posted on the back of a door, or in another easily visible area. Most children will have a much easier time with an evacuation if they’re given clear guidelines to follow. Make sure that at least one member of your family is in charge of bringing the “grab and go” kit in the event of an evacuation.

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

Internet addiction is a relatively new concept for many people, since (believe it or not) we’re still in the very early stages of our technological era. The idea that we could become addicted to easy access to information seems almost laughable to many people. However, how much time do you really spend online? The internet has become such an integral part of our society, which we’ve adapted to incorporate into our daily routines. Are you, or a member of your family addicted to the internet? Here are five key warning signs that will help you identify an internet addiction.

1 – A “Need” to Be Connected
What happens when you don’t have access to the internet? Do you feel anxious, nervous or disconnected from other people? Do you try to finish your current activity as fast as possible, just so that you can get back online sooner? These behavioral traits are the sign of a serious internet addiction.

2 – Loss of Interest in Offline Activities
When was the last time that you did an outdoor activity that you previously enjoyed? Did you previously love to read, or draw – activities which you find yourself no longer interested in? This is another very important sign that you might have developed a dependence on online communication. Essentially, your internet time has become a replacement for other “offline” activities.

3 – Less “Real” Social Time
Of course you spend time interacting with your friends online – who doesn’t? However, the question is – do you spend time with them off of the internet as well? Most of us have become very accustomed to simply communicating via online messages, which requires us to spend less time actually “talking” to someone face to face. If you find that you’re avoiding actual social encounters in favor of chatting online, you may need to acknowledge that you have a serious problem.

4 – Others Have Commented About Your Internet Use
If other people are beginning to notice that you’re spending a lot of time online, it might be time to listen to their analysis of your behavior.  While all of us spend at least some time online, if it’s becoming noticeable to others, you might want to take a step back. Are your friends saying that they never see you anymore outside of chatting online? Is your family complaining about spending less time with you? Do you find yourself constantly checking your social media accounts? If any of these are true, you might want to stop denying it, and actually listen to the feedback you’re receiving about your online activities.

Related posts:

1. Tips for Dealing With Internet Addiction This post is originally authored at the home security blog...
2. 5 Warning Signs of an Online Dating Scam This post is originally authored at the home security blog...

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

Every 46 seconds, a robbery takes place. Did you know that many of the victims of robbery are young single women? It’s no secret that single women need to take extra safety precautions. Many criminals target single women because they believe them to be trusting, vulnerable and easy to intimidate. Don’t be part of a statistic! Here are a few home security tips for single women.

Keep Your First Name Off Your Mailbox.
This tip might not make sense to you at first. What harm can it do to have your first name on your mailbox or apartment buzzer? Since many criminals may target single women, listing your name on your mailbox can actually increase your chances of being the victim of a crime. Instead, put your first initial and full last name. This way, you’ll still get your mail, but you’re not advertising that you’re a single woman living alone.

Consider a Personal Alarm System.
A personal alarm, or “Panic Button” can be a useful tool in making sure that you aren’t the victim of a crime while outside of your home (such as at your door with your keys). Though personal alarms usually only emit a loud audio alarm, it may distract a criminal for long enough that you can either escape or call for help.

Carry Personal Protection.
Even if you aren’t trained in self defense, you can still carry useful tools to help protect yourself.  Check the laws in your state, and see if it’s legal for you to carry pepper spray or a Taser device. However, these items are useless if you don’t know how to use them! Always have a personal protection tool close at hand when you’re in a potentially dangerous situation.

Consider a Personal Protection Dog.
Dogs can be wonderful companions for single women that are living alone. Aside from providing companionship,  they can also be trained to offer protection. However, for many criminals, the threat of a woman having a dog that appears aggressive may be enough to deter them from committing a crime. Good breeds for personal protection dogs include German Shepherds, Rottweilers and Dobermans. However, remember that any dog, especially one for personal protection, is a huge responsibility.

Purchase a Security System.
Many monitored home security systems have the ability to offer substantial protection for women living alone.  Some of these systems can even call in to listen to what’s going on in your home if the alarm is triggered. Many home security systems also have a “panic button” feature, which instantly signals that you need fire, police or medical authorities sent to your home.

Upgrade Your Door Locks.
Many people mistakenly believe that a standard doorknob lock will keep them safe from intruders. However, it’s absolutely essential that you have a locking deadbolt on all doors that allow entry into your home. The deadbolt should extend at least one inch into the door frame, and should be made of solid steel.

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

Most of us have heard of E Coli, especially in reference to food recalls. E Coli is a dangerous type of bacteria that can cause serious illness when ingested. Are you worried about E Coli, and how it can affect the safety of your family? Here are a few safety tips that will help you understand this dangerous type of bacteria.

What is E Coli?

E Coli is a type of bacteria that’s naturally found in our intestines. When in this environment, E Coli is harmless, and won’t cause us to become ill. E Coli is a rod-shaped, gram negative bacteria that actually has positive effects for us when in our intestines. It produces a type of Vitamin K, which helps contribute to the health of our digestive tract. E Coli also helps keep other pathogenic bacteria from invading our intestines and causing illness.

How is it Dangerous?

E Coli isn’t dangerous when in our intestines. However, it can be dangerous when it contaminates our food or water supply. There are a large number of different strains of E Coli, some of which can cause serious, life threatening health complications. Some strains of E Coli cause symptoms of food poisoning, which can range from mild to severe. Other strains can cause severe dehydration, neural problems and even death.

Unwashed Food Items

The primary way to become infected with E Coli is to consume unwashed fruits, vegetables or other items. This is especially important when eating fruits or vegetables that have a fuzzy or pitted skin. For example, peaches are sometimes a culprit of carrying E Coli, since not many people remember to wash them before eating. Leafy vegetables, such as lettuce and spinach are also sometimes contaminated with E Coli. This is the main reason why it’s extremely important to wash all fruits and vegetables before eating.

Personal Hygiene

A great way to protect yourself from E Coli? Use common sense! Practicing daily personal hygiene is a wonderful way to make sure that you remain healthy, and can help protect you from E Coli as well. Always wash your hands before eating, and interacting with a large number of people. Also, use hand sanitizer when in public areas, such as restrooms, subways and any other areas were people gather.

Cook All Meat

To avoid E Coli, you should always cook all raw meat to a temperature of 160 to 180 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature should kill all bacteria in the raw meat, making it safe to eat. You should also always wash your hands after handling raw meat, especially raw chicken.

Discard Old Food

Those old leftovers in the fridge may be tempting – but did you know that it’s still possible for E Coli to flourish in your fridge? As a safety precaution, you should always make sure to discard any leftover food that’s over a week old. Also, items that are in the front area or door of your fridge are more prone to growing bacteria, since they’re exposed to warm air every time you open your fridge.