American homes are victims of burglary about every 15 seconds, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. The typical homeowner suffers a loss of nearly $2,000 in stolen goods or property damage.    "With the national economy getting worse, burglary is again becoming a more common crime," said Charles Sczuroski, a former police officer and now senior trainer for the National Crime Prevention Council.    If you have a high deductible on your homeowners insurance policy, you'll likely have to pay out of pocket to replace your stuff. But for a small investment, you can make your home less appealing to burglars in the first place.   9 Ways To Protect Your Home From Burglary   1.  Prune your shrubs.  Bushes, shrubs and trees can offer an intruder places to hide and camouflage signs of a break-in. Trim back any overgrown vegetation so that your home's windows, porches and doors are visible to neighbors and passersby. This doesn't cost but a few hours of your time, yet it can make a difference in making your property much less attractive to a burglar.   2.  Draw the blinds.  Use shades, drapes and other window treatments to keep potentially tempting household items out of view. Burglary is sometimes a crime of opportunity and "window-shopping" is one way criminals choose potential targets.   3.  Don't advertise new purchases.  Be sure not to draw undue attention to your home by discarding empty boxes at the curb with your trash -- a big problem during the holidays.  By putting out boxes from a new flat-screen television, video game system, a laptop computer or other expensive home electronics at the curb, you're showing a potential burglar exactly what new and valuable items are now available in your home.   4.  Get motion sensors.  Adequate nighttime illumination is critical, because a dark or poorly lit property makes it easier for a burglar to go about unseen.  The best deterrent for crime and therefore safety for your home and family is to install motion-sensing security.  Motion-sensing security lights are ... activated when motion is detected and the sudden change from darkness to the bright light will not only startle intruders, but also provide a visual alert to the homeowner and neighbors.   5.  Set timers indoors.  Many insurance companies recommend using timers that are hooked up to indoor lights, as well as radios or televisions. Setting a timer to switch on about 30 to 45 minutes before it gets dark makes it appear more like someone is really at home, and combined with a radio or TV activating during the day and evening, that impression can be even more convincing.  Burglars generally don't want to be confronted by anyone in a home. They basically want to slip in and out unseen. If they hear sounds of activity, they'll generally move on.   Timers can run from about $5 to $40, depending on their sophistication. A basic plug-in unit can turn a light on and off once or twice a day, whereas a wired digital outlet switch can switch lights on at any number of set or random times.   6.  Reinforce entry points.  Sixty percent of all burglaries take place at ground floor doors and windows, so it makes sense to "harden" these entry points.  All entry doors should be solid wood or steel-wrapped wood-core doors.  Hollow-core doors or rickety old wood-panel doors can be kicked in easily and don't offer much of a deterrent. New solid (slab) doors cost around $100. Installation, of course, will cost extra. However, an experienced home handyman can tackle the job with the help of instructions.   7.  Shield windows near doors.  For existing doors with windows, safety experts recommend installing a protective barrier of quarter-inch Plexiglas over any existing glass. Attached properly, it can prevent the burglar from breaking the window and either opening the door's lock from the inside or getting into the house through the opening.   8.  Install deadbolts.  A deadbolt should be installed on every exterior entry door, and the bolt should have a throw of at least one inch. Insurance companies and locksmiths recommend Grade 1 or Grade 2 American National Standards Institute deadbolt locks on exterior entryways.  The two main types of deadbolts are single and double cylinder locks. A single cylinder deadbolt, about $35, has a keyed opening on one side and a knob that can be turned by hand on the other. A double cylinder deadbolt lock, about $45, is keyed on both sides.   A double cylinder locks should be used on a door with a glass section or one located near a window.  If the glass is broken and someone tries to reach in to open the door, they won't be able to.   Consult local building codes before buying new double cylinder deadbolt locks, though. Some communities don't allow their use due to safety concerns: They can impede a speedy exit from a home in case of fire. And when upgrading any entry door lockset, make sure that the strike plate is properly secured with strong 3-inch screws into the home's structural framing (studs). 9. Use Common Sense.  But the best form of protection is to simply lock all your doors and windows whenever you leave your home.  It's amazing how many people don't do that, and yet it's the simplest and best thing anyone can do.   At this time of year the warm weather finds most of us outside, or in the backyard pool, or getting ready for that summer vacation.  An open garage door, and unlocked door or open window, or newspapers piled up on the porch are all invitations to would-be intruders.  Take a moment to safe-guard your home and valuable possessions this weekend.  A theft can happen in less than 60 seconds.   

When a nearby neighborhood was the target of a burglary ring, the police went door to door helping homeowners understand how to make their homes more secure. Many of the tips they shared can be found in this article.  http://patch.com/california/newark/9-tips-to-prevent-home-burglaries  

  Police Force 9.2 Million Volt Tactical Stun Flashlight   Streetwise Security raises the bar once again with the introduction of their patented Police Force 9,200,000 Tactical Stun Flashlight. This may just be the best compact tactical Stun Flashlight on the market today. Although it is only about 6.5 inches long, it packs the power normally found in units twice its size. Using advanced technology to create a superior tactical stun flashlight, the PF9200GM can be depended upon to provide you with a lifetime of security and safety.   Features:   •US Design Patent No. US D736,975 S: Please contact us for additional information and supporting documents. •Police Strength Protection: Engineered to meet the demands of Police, Military, and Security Professionals worldwide but also available to civilians •Triple Stun Technology: Most stun guns on the market today have only one or two points of contact. When using this model to defend yourself, the Triple Stun Technology (TST) allows an electrical charge to emanate between three separate points on the top of the stun baton (two sides and the middle). This creates a larger stun radius, allowing you to easily defend yourself. Even when test fired the loud, bight electrical burst is often enough to stop an attacker, and if not, a jolt from this unit certainly will! •Shock Proof Exterior: Military Grade aluminum alloy protects the Police Force from damage so it can always be ready to protect you. •No Slip Grip: Etched ribbed handle ensures a firm grip. •Blinding 1 Watt LED Light: Not only will the flashlight safely illuminate the entire area at night, but it can also help to protect you. When shined in the eyes of an attacker, the ultra-bright light can have a temporary blinding effect making it easy for you to immobilize them with the stun. •3 Light Modes: Allows you to easily change between the light modes: 100% for full strength, 50% for conserving battery life, and Flashing Strobe for emergencies or self-defense. •Economically & Environmentally Friendly: The stun gun and flashlight are fully rechargeable and the light bulb has a life of up to 100,000 hours. •Safety Features: To prevent accidental discharge, three levels of safety have been built in. The power switch on bottom must be set to on, the function selector switch on the side must be set to the stun function, and the stun activation button must be pressed before the stun will activate. •Rechargeable: Recharge cord (included) plugs into a standard wall outlet to save you money on batteries. Complete charging instructions enclosed. •Holster and Wrist Strap Included: To make it easier to carry, both a heavy-duty holster with belt loop and a wrist strap are included. •Lifetime Warranty: The Police Force is made of the highest quality components and comes with a lifetime warranty. See the enclosed instructions for complete details.   Includes:   •Streetwise Police Force 9,200,000 Tactical Stun Flashlight - Gun Metal •Heavy Duty Holster •Recharging cord •Instructions         Standard shipping is FREE for all retail orders totaling $100.00 or more! (48 Continental US orders only) Flat rate  of $8.50 shipping applies to orders under $100.00    

    Police Force 9.2 Million Volt Tactical Stun Flashlight   Protect yourself with the power of the Police Force….   Streetwise Security raises the bar once again with the introduction of their Police Force 9,200,000 Tactical Stun Flashlight. This may just be the best compact tactical Stun Flashlight on the market today.   Although it is only about 6.5 inches long it packs the power normally reserved for units twice its size. Using advanced technology to create a superior tactical  stun flashlight, the SWPF9200BK can be depended upon to provide you with a lifetime of security and safety. It is loaded with the following features Features Police Strength Protection: Engineered to meet the demands of Police, Military, and Security Professionals worldwide but also available to civilians Triple Stun Technology: Most stun guns on the market today have only one or two points of contact. When using this model to defend yourself, the Triple Stun Technology (TST) allows an electrical charge to emanate between three separate points on the top of the stun baton (two sides and the middle). This creates a larger stun radius, allowing you to easily defend yourself. Even when test fired the loud, bight electrical burst is often enough to stop an attacker, and if not, a jolt from this unit certainly will! Shock Proof Exterior: Military Grade aluminum alloy protects the Police Force from damage so it can always be ready to protect you. No Slip Grip: Etched ribbed handle ensures a firm grip. Blinding 1 Watt LED Light: Not only will the flashlight safely illuminate the entire area at night, but it can also help to protect you. When shined in the eyes of an attacker, the ultra-bright light can have a temporary blinding effect making it easy for you to immobilize them with the stun gun. 5 Light Modes: Allows you to easily change between the light modes: High, Medium, Low, SOS, and Strobe Economically & Environmentally Friendly: The stun gun and flashlight are fully rechargeable and the light bulb has a life of up to 100,000 hours. Safety Features: To prevent accidental discharge, three levels of safety have been built-in. The power switch on the bottom must be set to on, the function selector switch on the side must be set to the stun function, and the stun activation button must be pressed before the stun will activate. Rechargeable: Recharge cord (included) plugs into a standard wall outlet to save you money on batteries. Complete charging instructions enclosed. Holster and Wrist Strap Included: To make it easier to carry, both a heavy-duty holster with belt loop and a wrist strap are included. Lifetime Warranty: The Police Force is made of the highest quality components and comes with a lifetime warranty. See the enclosed instructions for complete details.    Included Streetwise Police Force 9,200,000 Tactical Stun Flashlight Black Heavy Duty Holster Recharging Cord Instructions Stun Gun FAQs Click Here for Stun Gun Restrictions         Standard shipping is FREE for all retail orders totaling $100.00 or more! (48 Continental US orders only) Flat rate of $8.50 shipping applies to orders under $100.00.  

    Police Force 9,100,000 Blue Line Stun Gun &  Paracord Bracelet   Protect yourself with the power of the Police Force… Now you can protect yourself while supporting those that protect you. The Police Force 9,100,000 Blue Line Stun Gun proudly displays the American flag with the well-known blue line running through it so you can show your support for the men and women who lay their lives on the line every day to protect you and your family. In addition, in order to show our support in a practical way a portion of the proceeds from each sale goes to support police organizations (currently those funds are going to C.O.P.S.). Just like your local police force you can depend on this stun gun during your time of need. It is made of the highest quality components and comes with a lifetime warranty. To thank you for supporting the police, we are also including a free Blue Line paracord survival bracelet. This bracelet contains over 9 feet of military grade paracord that is strong enough to hold up to 450 pounds. It also features a built-in whistle that can used scare off an attacker or call for help in an emergency.            Features: Police Strength Protection: Engineered to meet the demands of Police, Military, and Security Professionals worldwide but also available to civilians Triple Stun Technology: The electrical charge will quickly jump between three points on the top of the stun gun creating a loud, bright electrical burst. Even when test fired, just the sight and sound of this is often enough to stop an attacker and if not, a jolt from this unit certainly will! Metal Disable Pin: Prevents an attacker from taking the stun gun away and using it on you. A strap worn around the wrist attaches to a disable pin on the bottom of the unit. If the stun gun is taken from you the pin will pull out, preventing it from working. Unlike many cheap models with plastic pins, this pin is made of metal. LED Flashlight: The LED flashlight provides a convenient source of light whenever you need it. Safety Switch: To prevent accidental discharge, three levels of safety have been built in. The disable pin must be inserted, the safety switch must be in the on position and the stun activation button must be pressed before the stun gun will operate. Rubberized Armor Coating: Protects the unit and ensures a firm grip. Economically & Environmentally Friendly: The stun gun and flashlight are fully rechargeable and the light bulb has a life of up to 100,000 hours. Built-In Charger: The slide-out plug allows for easy charging. There are no cords to keep up with; simply plug into a standard wall outlet. Heavy Duty Holster Included: A heavy duty nylon holster with belt loop is included for easy carrying. Lifetime Warranty: The Police Force is made of the highest quality components and comes with a lifetime warranty. Includes: Police Force 9,100,000 Blue Line Stun Gun Heavy Duty Holster with Belt Loop Wrist Strap with Metal Disable Pin Instructions Blue Line Paracord Survival Bracelet with Whistle       Standard shipping is FREE for all retail orders totaling $100.00 or more! (48 Continental US orders only) Flat rate of $8.50 shipping applies to orders under $100.00.        

  Every semester of every year you can read hundreds of reports where a woman was physically assaulted on campus.  While colleges and universities have tried to step up security patrols, especially at night, reports of attacks and attempted rape continue to persist.  While there are precautions a woman can take to lessen the chances of becoming a victim, one of the best weapons she can have at her disposal when confronted in a threatening situation is a shot of pepper spray. A less than $20, the MACE Keyguard Pepper Spray is compact, convenient, and has a key ring that easily attaches to your house, dorm room, car, and other keys you carry.  Be alert, be cautious, and be prepared. http://www.thecoverteye.com/preview/m7/80365--mace-key-guard-pepper-spray.html     http://www.athensohiotoday.com/news/woman-uses-pepper-spray-to-allegedly-fight-off-attacker/article_00fc4e80-8d84-55d7-a989-90264ed2f3be.html    

Working parents- and that's the majority of American families today- share the anxiety, frustration, and even fear involved in leaving children "on their own" when school lets out, child care arrangements with neighbors and relatives break down, or there simply are not any alternatives. WHAT CAN YOU DO? 1. Make sure your children are ready to care for themselves. 2. Teach them basic safety rules. 3. Know where your kids are, what they are doing, and who they  are with. ARE THEY READY?   CAN YOUR CHILDREN- 1. Be trusted to go straight home after school? 2. Easily use the telephone, locks, and kitchen appliances? 3. Follow rules and instructions well? 4. Handle unexpected situations without panicking? 5. Stay home alone without being afraid? Talk it over with them, and listen to their worries and ideas. Work out rules on having friends over, household chores, homework, and television. Remember, staying at home alone can build a child's self esteem, sense of responsibility, and practical skills. TEACH YOUR "HOME ALONE" CHILDREN 1. How to call 9-1-1 or your area's emergency number, or call the operator? 2. How to give directions to your house in case of an emergency? 3. To check in with you or a neighbor immediately after arriving home. 4. To never accept gifts or rides from people they don't know well. (And you approve of) 5. How to use the door, windows, locks and the alarm system if you have one? 6. To never let anyone into the home without asking your permission. 7. To never let a caller at the door or on the phone know they are alone. 8. To carry a house key with them in a safe place (inside a shirt pocket or sock)-do not leave it under a mat or on a ledge. 9. How to escape in case of fire? 10. To not go into the house or apartment if things do not look right- a broken window, ripped screen, or opened door. 11. To let you know about anything that frightens them or makes them feel uncomfortable.  

The best way to prevent a child from drowning is to be vigilant. But can you be vigilant 100% of the time? Last year more than 300 children in the U.S. under the age of 5 drowned in backyard swimming pools. Six-hundred more between the ages of 6 and 14 also died due to accidental drowning. There are times when even the best parents take their eyes off their children for a minute or two. At any moment, without any warning, a tragedy can occur. Most pool accidents happen in less than five minutes; about the time it takes to grab a sandwich or a cold bottle of soda. But there are tips and tools that can help reduce water mishaps and promote pool safety. Pool safety alarms are one item that every pool owner should have. The added protection they provide could keep your children from becoming another statistic.   The Pool Alarm is an electronic monitoring system that automatically sounds an alarm when children or pets fall into your unsupervised pool. It's portable, self-contained, and lightweight. The unit is simple to operate. Entry into the pool will be detected by the pool alarm's electronic sensor, triggering a loud pulsating alarm at the unit and inside your house from the remote receiver. Installation of the pool alarm is easy. It sits on the pool deck as in the picture. After you install the alarm, it can't be deactivated. It is always in the alarm ready mode until you put it in sleep mode. If someone who does not know how to put the pool alarm in sleep mode attempts to remove the alarm, it will sound an alarm. The pool alarm comes with a remote receiver which can be mounted in your house up to 200 feet from the main unit. It also comes with a 12 volt power supply, and the unit itself uses one 9-volt battery, which should last approximately one year. Installing a pool alarm is only one safety measure, though, when it comes to safe-guarding your children around the backyard pool. You need to be aware of the other nationally recognized water safety steps to ensure your children, or any child who enters your pool area, is protected as much as possible. Review these tips below and learn them. Don't let your child become another statistic. Practice pool safety. Step 1. For starters, never allow children to swim without adult supervision, even if they know how to swim. And always keep children under five within your reach while at the pool. Step 2. Enclose the pool with a fence that is at least five feet high. Keep the fence clear of chairs or other objects that children can use to climb over the fence. Make sure the gate stays locked and closes automatically. Step 3. Always keep a life saving ring near the pool. Don't use inflatable swimming aids as a substitute for adult supervision or approved life vests. They give children and parents a false sense of security. Step 4. When you are at the pool, be sure to keep a cell phone or a home phone line with you. You would never want to have to leave the pool area to use the phone. In the short amount of time that you are gone, a child can get injured or drown. Step 5. Install pool security devices like infrared motion detectors, underwater wave sensors, and pool alarms that will alert you if someone is in the pool. Step 6. When you're not using it, keep the pool completely covered. Never partially open the pool cover. Step 7. Finally, take the time to learn CPR. Utilizing these guidelines will help you keep your pool a fun, safe area.

  Over the past several weeks we've received an unusually high number of calls and emails from people having questions and seeking advice regarding our line of security cameras and hidden nanny cams, wanting to know which one would work best for them in solving their particular need. This month I would like to address some of those questions. By far, questions about choosing the right hidden camera come up the most. Each customer has their own need for wanting to monitor a certain area of the house, and each area presents its own special set of circumstances. One of the first things people look at when browsing the images under “Hidden Cameras” or “Nanny Cams” is which one would best fit into the area or room intended? Hidden cameras can be made into just about any “every day” object imaginable, and we have over 100 such cameras to choose from. One of the things I encounter most, though, is people who start second-guessing themselves on a model. By that I mean, once they know where the lens is on a disguised camera and they go to place it in a room, they feel others will be drawn to it immediately and realize that it's in fact a hidden camera. This is seldom the case. People, for the most part, are not observant. Question 10 people what they saw at the scene of an accident, and you'll get 10 different answers. One illustration I give out is magic. Ever been left wondering after watching David Copperfield? Many years ago when I began practicing magic as a hobby and doing some local shows, my main concern after learning a new trick was that my audience would see exactly how I did it. Of course this is where practice comes in, but once I had all the moves down pat I would fret unnecessarily that the audience would follow those moves exactly and hence know how the trick was done. Because I knew, I gave undue credit to the audience for knowing too, and the simpler the trick was, the simpler it had to be for the audience to see through it. Nothing was farther from the truth, and in fact the simpler the trick the more amazed was the reaction. I was over-thinking my act. Likewise, people are not going to recognize a hidden camera because they're not expecting one; just as an audience isn't expecting you to pull out the Ace of Spades from their shirt pocket at the conclusion of the trick. Most people will hardly give a second glance to a new object placed in a room, even a clock radio that you've placed on the bedside table. How many of you became extremely curious when your parents put up a new smoke detector in a room, or added a new book to the bookshelf, or plugged an outlet into the wall, or hung up a new mirror? Not many I would imagine. Don't over-think the camera. Only you will know what it really is. There are three basic types of cameras;wired, wireless, and Stealth Cams (or those with built-in DVRs).     Teddy Bear Nanny Cam (Stealth Cam)   Mini PTZ Wifi Security Cam         Exit Sign Hidden Camera (wired)   CCD Security Camera (wireless)     Wired cameras are mostly seen in security cameras, especially in businesses and commercial use buildings, although we do carry wired hidden cameras as well. As the name implies, these cameras require cable connections running back to your recording device, such as a TV, VCR, DVR or PC. Security cameras also come in different styles as well, including domes, bullets, infrared and hidden, and can be used both inside and outdoors. Security cameras tend to have a fixed 4mm lens that can detect facial features out to 90 feet, and some even have pan/tilt and zoom features. And with wired cameras, there is no chance of outside interference hindering the picture quality, as can sometimes occur with wireless. Wireless cameras send a video signal to a receiver which is connected to the recording device. The advantage with wireless is that it eliminates the need for cables, but is susceptible to interference (like from a cordless phone that's placed too close and if that phone happens to be on the same 2.4GHz frequency as the camera.) 2.4GHZ is the standard frequency at which data and video is transmitted. The distance at which a wireless camera can operate will vary slightly between cameras, but will usually transmit between 700 and 1000 feet back to the receiver. It has also been asked if the wireless signal can transmit through walls and cement block, and the answer is, yes, providing there isn't too much metal within. Wireless cameras themselves can be powered either by battery or AC. In models such as alarm clock radio hidden cameras which are plugged in, the AC powers both the functioning clock as well as the camera. In the mini wireless systems – those that use a board camera or button camera the size of a dime, they can be operated both ways. The battery option here is usually a 9-volt, but the battery life is only about 5 hours. Some wired and wireless camera set-ups also come with software that provides remote viewing capabilities. These become IP cameras, which allow you to log into the Internet from anywhere in the world and see exactly what the camera is seeing in real time. This not only lets you keep an eye on your house while on vacation, but also an eye on the Nanny when you're at work. The last types are the Stealth Cams with a built-in DVR that captures all the recording. They are the easiest to use, and the most popular choice for a hidden camera. Most Stealth Cams are plug & play, while others operate on an internal rechargeable battery, where often times recharging is done by connecting the camera to the computer via a USB cable. These are the perfect all-in-one cameras. The internal DVRs are simply SD cards; the same SD cards you use in your digital cameras and video camcorders. This eliminates the need for cables, transmitters, receivers, and hookups to monitors. When you're ready to view the video, simply connect the camera to the PC by the USB cable. You can also remove the SD card and either insert it into the SD slot on your PC (if you have one), or into a card reader. Most cameras will also allow you to set film speed, schedule your recording time, and have a motion activation feature which will trigger the camera to come on only when its sensors have picked up motion in the room. Many of these cameras come with a 4GB or 8Gb card, but will take up to a 32GB SD card for even longer recording time. Depending on the speed and resolution you choose, you can record hundreds of hours on one card. Many also offer an overwrite feature so that once the memory has been filled, recording will continue from the beginning of the SD card again. Recently, technology has tweaked these last two types a bit more. New to our hidden camera lineup this month are 7 new wireless IP cameras. What makes these wireless cameras different is that the receiver is completely standalone. It doesn't require a computer! The IP receiver plugs directly into your wireless router, so there is no software or program to worry about. Not only can you stream your video over the Internet to view anywhere in the world, but each receiver also has a built-in DVR so that you can record directly onto your own SD card. It doesn't get any simpler than that! Two other new wireless models we've added now contain their own Wi-Fi transmitters. This allows you to transmit the camera's video signal directly through your existing Internet connection for remote recording or viewing from virtually anywhere. It's the perfect answer to any of your hidden camera or baby monitoring needs.     Clock Radio Hidden Camera (Wi-Fi)     One last note about choosing the right camera for you. If the room where the camera is placed will have varying degrees of light, then you'll have to select a camera whose lens can adapt to those light conditions. Color video needs to have adequate lighting conditions, so is best recorded during daytime hours or in a well lit room. If the room well be semi-dark, then you'll need to record in black & white with a lens that will adjust for low-light conditions. Low-light means there is some illumination, if only from a night light or the light cast from a TV screen. Camera specifications give a LUX rating, which is the amount of light needed for the camera to see. If the LUX rating is .003, then the camera will see and record in low-light conditions. Some camera are offered in color or B&W models, while others have the ability to record in color and automatically switch to B&W when the lighting conditions change. For night time recording or when wanting to record in total darkness, then you will need an IR camera built for that intended purpose. The IR (or infrared) lens is designed to see and record images in total darkness. To see these very special cameras in action, click here on our Nitespy Clock Radio DVR and scroll down to watch the video.