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

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.

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.

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

Some experts estimate that around 14% of homes in the United States are protected by monitored security systems. However, a burglary occurs every 15 seconds in the US. When asked why they don’t have a monitored security system, many people often cite one (or several) popular home security misconceptions. Here are five common home security myths.

Myth #1 – Home Security is Expensive!
Surprisingly, home security doesn’t cost as much as you might think. Some security companies offer a basic level of monitoring for around $40 per month. However, you also have to factor in the discount that having a monitored security system gives you on your homeowner’s insurance. Most insurance companies will give you around a 20% discount for having a monitored security system installed. However, some companies offer up to a 40% discount! In some cases, you might find that having a security system pays for itself in insurance discounts.

Myth #2 – I’ll Always Have to Pay for Monitoring.
If you’re tech-savvy, you can design your home security system without requiring it to be connected to a monitoring station. Some people don’t like the idea of paying monthly for home security, and that’s completely fine. Instead, you should focus on designing a system of sensors that sends you alerts (email, text, call, etc) when the sensors are triggered. You can even set up a video surveillance system that you can view remotely while you’re away at work.

Myth #3 – My Pet Could Set Off the Security System.
Most monitored home security systems are now designed to accommodate for at-home pets. The sensors can be placed in an area above the pet’s height, or they may also be put at a setting that detects movement over a certain size. For example, some motion sensors can be set to only go off if they detect motion of an object over 50 pounds, which is more than most pets weigh. If you have a pet, talk to a home security company – there are probably many options available to you!

Myth #4 – I Won’t Get Burglarized.
Tough financial times are making more people resort to desperate criminal measures. The average person will lose from $1000 – $5000 from a burglary. Are you willing to take that chance? Spending money improving your home’s security is like buying “insurance”. Even if you don’t get burglarized, it’s impossible to put a price on peace of mind.

Myth #5 –  Installing a Home Security System is Difficult and Expensive.
If you purchase a monitored home security system from a company along with a monitoring package, in most cases you may be able to get the system installed free of charge. Free installation has become a standard for many home security companies. If you don’t plan to pay for monitoring, you still don’t have to be an expert to install a home security system in your home. Stick to wireless systems, which are much easier to set up and install. Most stand-alone systems come with detailed instructions that will walk you through the installation process.

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.

It’s interesting to note the negative connotations attached to the word “preparedness”. Most people equate preparedness with the image of paranoia, conspiracy theories and a negative view on organized government. However, the true definition of preparedness couldn’t be farther from that stereotype. Preparedness is less of a “lifestyle”, and more of a “mindset” that defines your lifestyle. It highlights independence, sustainability and the ability to care for your family without outside assistance.

For example, let’s take one of the common preparedness methods – stockpiling food. Critics assume that families that store extra food are preparing for the “apocalypse” or entertaining thoughts of a government-wide rebellion. However, storing extra food in your home is a great way to have insurance against any potential interruption in the food supply chain. For example, during Hurricane Katrina, most of the residents of New Orleans were unable to purchase food from grocery stores – instead, they had to rely on handouts from disaster assistance volunteers and government workers. What if each of those families had kept a one month supply of extra food in their home? In reality, storing extra food is a smart way to ensure that your family won’t have to rely on outside assistance for food during a disaster.

Another of the concepts of preparedness involves growing your own food. Again, some critics assume that those with home gardens are conspiracy theorists who believe grocery store food contains sterilization agents, cancer-causing chemicals or other components. [Note: It has been proven that many of the pesticides used on commercial produce have the potential to be carcinogenic, so this is less of a ’conspiracy theory’ and more of a valid concern.] However, that shouldn’t be the focus of a home garden. Instead, growing your own food highlights sustainability, and the ability to feed your family independent of the commercial food supply. Instead of being a symptom of paranoia, growing your own food is a great way to take charge of your family’s nutrition.

It’s true that there are different levels of the preparedness mindset, ranging from an extra week’s worth of stored food, to complete “off the grid” living with an independent power system. Even when considering the most extreme preparedness veterans, their lifestyle choices are a personal freedom that we all have. So what if your neighbors want to homeschool their children, or grow their own vegetables? Helping more families have a “backup” method that makes them less dependent on organized networks will ensure resilience during a disaster. How much money could our government save on aid, if people were able to be self-sustainable even after electricity and food chains were disrupted?

Jim Rawles is the creator of SurvivalBlog.com, a “daily weblog for prepared individuals”. Topics on his blog range from storing extra canned food to creating a sophisticated “off the grid” electrical system complete with solar, wind or hydroelectric power. His and other preparedness blogs focus on the importance of self-reliance and sustainability, especially in difficult financial times.

So, to answer the question “Paranoia or Preparedness?” – preparedness as a concept in itself isn’t always a symptom of paranoia. Instead, it’s a personal  mindset to create a sustainable, self-reliant lifestyle that focuses on family security.

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

As the financial system in the United States becomes more unstable, it seems that more people are being affected by burglaries. Burglaries are now becoming an issue even in reputable neighborhoods, or communities that have never had previous issues with crime. Raleigh, North Carolina is no exception, as the city has seen a marked increase in the number of burglaries over the past several months.

Jessica (who asked that her last name be omitted for privacy reasons) never thought she’d be the victim of a burglary. Her neighborhood is very close-knit, with most of the nearby residents being good friends. Every other Saturday, someone in the community has a barbeque, and most families from her street will attend.

Several weeks ago, Jessica was picking her two children from day-care, after a long day at work. She’d only been gone from 9am – 3pm. She usually worked short days so that she could pick up her children before the day-care charged her for extra time. After pulling her car into the driveway, Jessica removed her children from their car-seats, and made her way up to her front door. Here’s her recounting of the events, from an email interview.

*******

It was so weird. I could tell right away that something wasn’t right, kind of a strange feeling. I was carrying Amy, since she was tired, and needed a nap. Joshua immediately ran up to the door. “Mommy, our window is broken,” he said. As soon as he said that, I stopped, and called for him to get back in the car. I put Amy back in her car seat, and then walked up to the front door.

The glass on the door was broken. I didn’t even think – I went inside. I know you’re not supposed to go inside, but I wasn’t thinking straight. My home was a disaster. All of our electronics were gone – television, dvd  player, our Wii, stereo… even all of our dvds, including our home movies. Why would they have taken our home movies? I went into my bedroom, and the little ceramic container I keep my jewelry in was smashed on the floor. Nothing was left. The television from my bedroom was gone as well. They even took the baby monitor – which had a video screen, so I guess they thought it was valuable.

I ran outside, and drove to my neighbor’s house with my kids. I finally called the police. They came, and I filed a report. Not one of my neighbors remembers seeing anything unusual. I don’t even know how the burglars carried out two televisions and so many electronics without someone noticing something. I’m still working on the insurance claim, but it’s so hard explaining this to my kids. They don’t really understand the whole concept of “theft” yet, or where all of their movies went. The police told me that there’s a very poor chance that any of our belongings will ever be recovered. I don’t really care about the other stuff, we can always buy a new TV. But our home movies are irreplaceable.

********

Jessica’ s story is a solemn reminder that burglary can be a devastating experience for any family. Also, it occurred in a very close-knit community, with no history of burglaries (as far as Jessica can remember). It also shows just how little power the police actually have when it comes to theft. Only a very small percentage of burglaries ever resolve with the items being returned. In Jessica’s case, no amount of insurance money could replace the home videos that were taken from her home.

The best way to deal with a burglary is prevention. Once you’re a victim once, you’ll probably want to make sure that it never happens again. Having to walk into your home after it’s been burglarized can be a very traumatic experience, one that will leave long-lasting emotional scars.

That’s why it’s so important to make sure that you take steps to burglar-proof your home. Install secure deadbolts, and buy a home security system (even a basic, inexpensive model). Install window break sensors that will detect any unwanted intrusion into your home. Make windows inaccessible by planting thorny or dense decorative plants. These steps will help you to make sure that your home (and family) will remain safe, even when burglary statistics are rising.