Nowadays, anyone of us could be a victim of crime. You can’t stop a criminal from being a criminal instead, you will have to stop him from choosing you as a victim. Personal safety can be viewed as a pyramid. Each level not only increases your safety, but builds upon the level under it to create a cohesive and consistent whole. This way you have a solid structure, rather than a patchwork of “do this for this situation and that for another” answers for personal safety. Such a fragmented approach requires excessive work, inconvenience and, often, drastically altering your lifestyle. What’s worse is it still leaves opportunities and openings for you to be attacked. This pyramid is designed to work with your lifestyle, not change it.

Start from the bottom and work your way up. Each level takes you higher and keeps you safer. It does this by creating a consistent network that works simultaneously on several fronts. What will stop a burglar will also foil a stalker or a break-in rapist. What works to stop a mugger will also foil a serial rapist or carjacker. This consistency closes the gaps left by a fragmented approach gaps that crime and violence come through to enter your life.

The foundation that the pyramid stands upon is knowledge and understanding. This means knowing how the criminal and violent people think and what they need to succeed . Without this fundamental understanding, there can be no cohesiveness in what you do to protect yourself as well as your property.

Walk-aways are things that you do once and just walk away from. These are security measures that, once in place, serve as both deterrents and safeguards. Generally, these are things you can do around your home or business to discourage and foil break-ins. It does not only keep your home safe from burglary when you are not there, but serve as an early warning system against break-in when you are home. This becomes a critical element if you are in a stalker situation as home security walk-aways are your first line of defense.

Habits are those repetitive actions taken daily to ensure your safety. They are simple acts you train yourself to do that significantly decrease the chances of a criminal choosing you, or your property, as his target. They can range from remembering to enable your “walk-away” security measures (i.e. locking doors, windows and closing your drapes when you leave), never leaving your car running and unattended, to not leaving valuables in plain sight, to looking around when you enter a fringe area or before you reach your car Such habits are not difficult to ingrain and within a week or two become automatic.

Awareness is born of a blend of habits and knowledge. One part would be knowing where a mugger would lurk in a parking garage in order not to be seen by security personnel or potential victims. Having the habit of looking around and seeing if anyone is loitering in that spot when you enter the parking structure is the other. If you see known danger signs, turn around and go back, don’t walk into the lion’s jaws.

Maneuvering and positioning are knowing where you don’t want to be. There are positions from where an assailant can (and probably will) successfully attack you. If he (and his cohorts) can achieve these positions, your chances of effectively defending yourself are slim to none. And Slim left town. The violence will be swift, intense and aimed at your weak spots. Unless you are willing to commit extreme physical violence in self-defense do not allow this situation to develop. Positioning is a strategy game. It is the criminal trying to put you where he wants you and you moving so he can’t.

Knowledge of self-worth and boundaries is essential to not becoming the victim of crime and violence. Even if you have decided that you are not willing to use physical violence to defend yourself, until this point the pyramid still works. It is now however, important to realize that no matter what your decision about using physical self-defense to protect yourself that you have come to a crossroads. Aside from the obvious implications, when we use the terms knowledge of self-worth and boundaries, we also are including knowing how you think and how you are coming across.

Verbal boundary enforcement is communication. It is letting a would-be assailant know that you are aware of what is occurring and that you are committed to doing whatever it takes to protect yourself.

Physical self-defense is the last ditch effort. If it gets to this point through all the other levels, it has been forced here. You are justified to do what it takes to stop him. While some people choose not to participate in violence in order to defend themselves, others have no such qualms. Either choice carries responsibilities.

Source: Pyramid of Personal Safety

Motor vehicle crashes remain the leading cause of unintentional injury-related death among children ages 14 and under. Child safety seats and safety belts, when installed and used correctly, can prevent injuries and save lives. Unrestrained children are more likely to be injured, suffer severe injuries and die in motor vehicle crashes than children who are restrained.

It is best advised to learn these safety tips for your child’s safety in every ride:

* Buckle up every time, no matter how short the trip.
* Children 12 and under should be properly restrained in a back seat. A back seat is generally the
safest place for a child to ride. While air bags can save lives, kids riding in the front seat can
be seriously injured or killed when an air bag comes out in a crash. Even with advanced air
bags or no air bags, the back seat is safer for children.
* Never put a rear-facing child in a front seat with an active frontal air bag.
* Choose the right child safety seat or safety belt for your child’s size and age. Make sure you
have the right seat for your child.
- Infants should ride in rear-facing safety seats as long as possible, until they are at least 12
months old and weigh at least 20 pounds.
- Children who are at least 1 year old, weigh 20 to 40 pounds and can no longer ride in
rear-facing seats should ride in forward-facing child safety seats.
- Children over 40 pounds should be correctly secured in belt-positioning boosters or other
appropriate child restraints until the adult lap and shoulder belts fit correctly, usually around
age 8.
- Once the vehicle safety belts fit children, both lap and shoulder belts should be used
correctly.
* Install and use your child safety seat or safety belt according to the manufacturer’s
instructions and your vehicle owner’s manual.
* Ensure your child safety seat has not been recalled.

Source: Passenger Safety

1. Pay for Extra Driver Training
If you can afford it, consider investing in additional behind-the-wheel driver education for your teen. As we discussed in our third installment, the state of driver’s ed in the United States is absolutely deplorable and shows no sign of improving. There are a lot of reasons for this, not the least of which is the absence of a national standard. Instead, each state makes its rules. Because of this, there is a wide disparity in the quality of driver training from state to state. We specifically recommend an “active” setting (where your child actually gets behind the wheel and drives) versus a classroom setting, since the latter is mainly book learning, while the former teaches your child the real-world driving dynamics of an automobile. There are a number of racing schools and low-cost programs around the country.

2. Have Your Child Drive You Crazy
Well, not literally. What we mean here is, once your child receives her learner’s permit, have her drive everywhere possible — to the store, school, the bowling alley, wherever — with you in the passenger seat, of course. It’s crucial that your child gets as much “wheel” time as possible before going off on her own. Remember, nothing gives a better understanding of the dynamics of a motor vehicle than repeated exposure to the actual driving experience.

3. Talk to Your Child as You Drive
Continuing the theme above, communicate with your child as you travel together. Turn off the radio and talk to him about safety hazards you encounter along the way. Remember this one point: By the time your teen reaches driving age, you’ve most likely been driving him around for 15-plus years; you have much to impart. Remember, too, that body language and hand signals can be as effective as spoken directions. For instance, if you see a car nosing out of a driveway, a simple gesture in that direction can alert your teen driver to the potential danger. Also, remind yourself of the safety hazards you notice in your own driving, and communicate these to your child as you travel. Some common themes: watching downhill speed, spotting trouble ahead, braking sooner rather than later. Remind your child that defensive driving is all about anticipation.

4. Don’t Rant, Yell, Scream or Shout — Until You Get Home
As much as you may want to, it’s best not to overreact while on the road with your teen driver. Wait until you get home. Then you can yell all you want. Seriously, there’s a safety reason for this. Studies have shown that an emotionally charged conversation compromises driving performance, reducing attention span and increasing distraction. If your child does something wrong on the road, make a mental note to discuss it when you get home, or, if you find the infraction serious enough, have her pull over and take over the driving for her. Whatever you do, do not yell or rant at your child while she drives. This could be dangerous for both of you.

5. Review Your Driving Session
Along these same lines, consider a brief review of the day’s driving once you return home. As gently and calmly as possible, discuss potential problems and solutions, dangers you encountered on the road and things to pay attention to in future trips.

6. Meet Your Child’s Traveling Companions
The social aspects of teen driving cannot not be underestimated. The sudden freedom of mobility acts like an elixir to some teens. Be sure to monitor your child’s comings and goings, doing the best you can to keep track of his companions. A number of factors influence teen driver safety. Besides the usual culprits of drugs and alcohol, other issues, such as speeding, bravado and failure to wear seatbelts, account for thousands of lost teen lives every year. Equally significantly, a recent study found that a 16-year-old driver with three or more passengers was three times as likely to die in a fatal wreck than one driving alone.

7. Remind Your Teen Driver About the Risks
Be the most annoying parent you can be. Remind your child frequently of the inherent dangers of operating a motor vehicle with anything less than 100 percent concentration. Insist that she not operate a car while drunk or high — and, equally important, that she not ride with a driver similarly intoxicated. If necessary, make yourself available for emergency pick-ups.

8. Choose a Safe Car
The type of car your teen driver operates can be a matter of life and death. Choose one in good working condition, with solid crash test scores and a strong record for reliability. If shopping for a used car, closely inspect tires and brakes, belts and hoses, and other systems that can influence the safety or dependability of the vehicle.

9. Ride Periodically with Your Teen
Continue to ride with your teen driver from time to time, reviewing safety tips and monitoring his driving skills. Bad habits can crop up at any time, but are especially prevalent in the beginning years of driving. Best to nip them in the bud. Frequent, ongoing drive-alongs are the best way to keep tabs on a teen driver’s progress. Remember that the first few years are absolutely crucial in establishing solid driving habits, which can then lead to a lifetime of safe driving.

10. Have Your Child Share Insurance and Other Costs
Since driving is a privilege and not a right, consider having your child share in the cost of operating the vehicle. This will not only teach her responsibility, but will also give her a dawning realization that nothing is free. It might also translate into better driving skills.

Source: Teen Driver Safety Series Part Five from Edmund.com

A short summary of statistics from the CDC:

* In the U.S. during 2004, 4,767 teens ages 16 to 19 died of injuries caused by motor vehicle crashes. During 2005, nearly 400,000 motor vehicle occupants in this age group sustained nonfatal injuries severe enough to require treatment in an emergency department (CDC 2006).

* The risk of motor vehicle crashes is higher among 16- to 19-year-olds than among any other age group. In fact, per mile driven, teen drivers ages 16 to 19 are four times more likely than older drivers to crash (IIHS 2006).

* In 2005, teenagers accounted for 10 percent of the U.S. population and 12 percent of motor vehicle crash deaths (IIHS 2006).

* The presence of teen passengers increases the crash risk of unsupervised teen drivers; the risk increases with the number of teen passengers (Chen 2000).

FACTORS ENDANGERING TEEN DRIVERS

Inexperience Though this may seem obvious on its face, it bears repeating. Young drivers simply don’t have the behind-the-wheel experience necessary to understand the dynamics associated with driving a motor vehicle. There’s a vast difference between riding in the passenger seat and being behind the wheel. Generally, when it comes to driving, age and experience lends a certain “street-savviness” to the endeavor. (Although this is not always the case. We see examples on the freeway almost every day of “seasoned” drivers who could use a refresher course.)

Bravado In the Shakespeare play “Henry the Fourth, Part I,” there’s a minor character called Hotspur. Hotspur, as his name implies, has a very short fuse — he’s always running around getting into other people’s faces, challenging them to duels, that sort of thing. He’s the embodiment of callow youth.

Something similar occurs when a young person gets behind the wheel of a car. They think they can slay any dragon, crush any obstacle. Young people are like that, which is why generals send them off to war to serve as cannon fodder. While this may be desirable on the battlefield, it’s dangerous behind the wheel of a car.

Speeding and Racing Teen drivers also have a tendency to drive too fast. This, combined with inexperience and bravado, sometimes leads them to make poor driving decisions.

Drugs and Alcohol As if things aren’t risky enough on our highways and byways, young drivers often mix alcohol and drugs with their driving. Consider the following:

In 2001, 26 percent of 16-20 year-old drivers fatally injured in crashes had blood alcohol concentrations of .08 percent or more. While teen substance abuse has been a concern for decades, mixing it with motor vehicles has particularly lethal side effects. It’s dangerous enough for teens to ingest substances that alter perception and reaction times; doing it behind the wheel of a car is almost suicidal. Statistics indicate that this activity shows some signs of abating, but the numbers are still too high.

No seatbelts Almost equally suicidal is the refusal to wear seatbelts. According to NHTSA, approximately 41 percent of young people who die in passenger vehicle crashes are not wearing seatbelts. Whether this harkens back to the “invulnerable youth” illusion or some other misapprehension of reality, it’s impossible to change Newton’s laws. An object in motion tends to remain in motion — i.e., if you’re not belted during an accident event you will go through the windshield.

On this point, we at Edmunds.com wish to issue a plea to all parents. The surest way to prevent your child from dying in an automobile accident is to be a good example and buckle your own seatbelt. They will follow suit. Children, like most human beings, learn through imitation.

Choice of Vehicle Because most young people have fewer resources than more mature Americans, they often drive older cars that may lack some of the latest safety equipment — airbags, ABS, traction control and the like. This makes them more vulnerable in accident situations. Second, because their vehicles are older, they may have more service issues that compromise their safety, such as worn brakes, tired shocks, bald tires, and so on. Lastly, to save money, young people often choose economy boxes and small pickups, which have smaller crumple zones and fewer safety features.

Too many passengers This last point is frequently overlooked, but has drawn attention recently. In a new study conducted by Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health, researchers discovered that the risk of deadly accidents among young drivers rose sharply with each additional passenger.

The study, which looked at the driving habits of 16- and 17-year-old drivers, revealed a strong correlation between the number of passengers in a car and the risk of a fatal wreck. For example, a 16 year old with three or more passengers faces nearly three times the risk of a fatal wreck as one driving alone.

The study also found that young drivers are much more likely to engage in dangerous activates — drinking or using drugs, speeding, swerving, running red lights — when in the presence of their peers.

So serious is this correlation that several states, with California leading the way, have instituted passenger limits for young drivers. In the Golden State, for example, 16- and 17-year-old drivers must wait six months before legally carrying teen passengers.

Source: Teen Driver Safety Series from Edmund.com

This video shows the different safety features of Ford Taurus that has helped them become one of the top safety picks of 2008, alongside the Mercury Sable.

1. Mini Mobile Alert SE-0201

This simple and small alarm device can be attached to your cell phone for extra security when you’re on the go! It’s easy to carry and comfortable to hold, and when it’s triggered it gives a loud high-pitched alarm sound as a distress signal.

2. Safety Signal Alert

With a unique triangle design, the Doberman Safety Signal Alert device is very useful when on an outdoor activity. It can be attached to backpacks, bags, and apparel. The device includes red emergency flashers and a loud alarm in case you get lost or are in danger.

3. Electronic Defense Whistle SE-0302

This stylish whistle can help ward off attackers by emitting a loud alarm. It also includes a bright LED light and emergency flashers. Its cool style allows you to bring it anywhere with you.

4. Power Button SE-0303

This personal security device was mainly designed for joggers. It has a stylish lightweight design and adjustable elastic bands for comfort. It has a one-hit emergency alarm that emits a loud distress signal and its bright flashing lights can be seen more than a mile away! An additional feature of this device is that it is water-resistant.

5. Bag Protector Alert SE-0304

Its main function is to any bags and valuables within. This personal security device acts as a motion sensor and is triggered when protected items are moved or taken. The motion sensor is armed and disarmed by the Bag Protector Alert keypad.

6. Infrared Perimeter Protector Alarm SE-0305

This is the perfect security device when you’re on your camping trip or outdoors. It has a powerful high-decibel alarm that is activated when the invisible perimeter is breached. The Passive Infrared (PIR) function of the device spreads a 90 degree sweep and up to 15 feet in length outward from the device.

7. Credit Card Reminder SE-0202

This security device is designed for people who keeps on forgetting their credit card somewhere. It has a push button timer and a lock function that will remind you to get your credit card, and helps you avoid credit card and Identity theft. The Credit Card Reminder is designed to fit most wallets and purses.

8. Traveler Defense Alarm SE-0203

This security device is perfect for you and your family when you’re traveling. The traveler defense alarm acts a door alarm and can easily be mounted on any hotel door. It helps decrease hotel theft and security breaches. It has a handy flashlight function and its high-pitch alarm can be triggered by unauthorized entry.

9. Security USB Light SE-0204

It’s a multi-functional personal security device for the busy person. You can charge this device while using your computer. The product has a handy flashlight and flasher, with a sturdy carabineer and an emergency whistle. With a light and whistle always with you as you go, you’ll be able to alert people when you are in distress.

10. Remote Activated Tool Box Alarm SE-0205

This tool box alarm from Doberman Security focuses on preventing tool box theft and break-ins. Installation is easy and when someone tampers with your tool box a high-pitch alarm will sound off to alert you. It also comes with a remote control that activates and deactivates the alarm with a touch of a button.

Source: Doberman Products: Active Security

1. An automated surveillance monitor of non-humans

Patented: June 29, 2004

The gist of this invention is to detect non-human activities to determine whether an alarm situation exists and it’s not just a cat or a bird tampering with your sensors. It includes an animal noise sensor and an animal noise analyzer to check with non-human animal noises.

2. “Baton”

Patented: December 18, 1997

This baton is special due to its appearance. But you use it like any other baton.

3. Gas Visual Notification Device

Patented: June 4, 2002

This device is mainly used for signaling distress. The compressed gas within the device is made up of a quantity of aerosol, and non-toxic micro-dispersion colored particles to add color to the compressed gas. When activated, the gas is released to serve as a visual notification that you are in duress.

4. An Alarm Device That Notifies You Have Experienced Fear

Patented: October 3, 1995

It’s basically a computer system wherein the system compares the monitored psychological data to that of the stored stress profile data. When it determines a pattern that signifies fear, it activates the alarm.

5. Mobile Detection System That’s Like a Robot

Patented: February 18, 1993

It detects any abnormal condition in your home, like a fire of an intruder. The robot then sends signals to a monitor, and the monitor alerts the authorities.

6. “The Instant Savior”

Patented: January 11, 1977

This is a personal security device in the form of a flashlight! It informs a person by remote control who is outside the door of his or her house. It gives a picture and determines whether the person outside is male, female, or child.

7. Protective Bed With Shield

Patented: February 6, 2004

It’s bullet-proof and impact-resistant! It has quick access doors to provide entry to the interior sleeping area, and has a ventilation system and a rebreather that scrubs carbon dioxide from the air within the unit.

8. Cell phone and Gun In One

Patented: August 14, 2004

It basically a sort of cell phone or electronic device with an added tubular wall with a central bore to function as the barrel of a firearm. Electronic elements allow the bullet to be discharged.

9. Spit and Bite Protection

Patented: April 4, 2002

This device is comprised of a collar that protects and stabilizes the neck. It helps prevent neck injuries and head-butting. It also has a face shield that is attached to the collar, and helps prevent spitting and biting. The shield can be released from the collar.

10. Missile-Proof Vest

Patented: February 9, 2001

It’s a ballistic resistant body covering that protects the torso, groin, and neck from ballistic missiles. The torso and groin portions are made of ballistic resistant material.

Source: AlarmSystemReviews.com