Emergency Kits and Self Defense Products – Is There a Fit?

There is additional attention given to disaster response, emergency supplies and emergency planning and there has been a surge in sales of 72 hour go bags and emergency kits, sometimes called bug out bags. Many kits have the same supplies.

All Kits contain basic tools, and hygiene and first aid supplies. The product line up from each category depends on how many individuals the kit is supposed to support and, not surprisingly, the cost. Unless you assemble a kit one piece at a time, it's hard to fond something perfectly suited to your family. But that needs to change. Soon you'll easily be able to include an assortment of other useful products like GPS trackers, supplementary power, equipment repair kits and more choices for food, water and communication. But something that I feel is missing from the current kits are personal defence and security options and I think that's a mistake. Consider what kind of situations your preparing for. Since natural and man made disasters and emergencies are the reasons we buy these emergency supplies, ask yourself, under those circumstances, will people be at their best?

Not too likely, is it? The sad truth is that whe society is threatened we'll see vandalism, looting, theft and violent crimes. It puts defense products in a new light - doesn't it? There are lots of products to choose from so if you're opposed to something that seems too luch like a weapon you can at least have some alarms, or police quality flashlights. At least. Also, there are lots of OC pepper spray alternatives- as long as you are living where pepper sprays are legal. Also there are pepper sprays used for animal deterrents and those sprays are more widely allowed. You'll find your choices are not limited.

Tasers & Stun guns are also candidates to include with your kits. Like it or not, they could very easily prove to be necessary. If you do include them with your kits, be sure that you check them periodically to make sure they're functioning properly. And don't forget about the batteries. While we're talking about it, store them safely, far from the reach of children. They're weapons that can be harmful. Although a taser can be used as a stun gun after the cartridges have been discharged, you'll probably want to have an extra cartridge on hand.

Finally, you should really consider some self defense training. You'll learn more than physical technique. You'll learn how to stop certain situations from escalating and how to not look like a victim. Actually, you might want to learn these skills anyway.

So when you're bringing all your emergency supplies into one place, give some though about whether there should be some defense products in there as well.

May 11 2009 | home security | No Comments »

Access control system Basics

Access control system (ACS) can offer top notch security for both private and commercial premises. An ACS is used for preventing unauthorized entries into restricted areas. Access control systems can also play the role of permission granter- a smart one actually. An ACS can be programmed to allow only authorized people to enter. When an unauthorized person seeks permission to enter, you can or cannot grant permission for entry. An ACS can also record check-in and check-out time of company personnel.

The systems offers better and increased security for unwanted people and trespassers of all kind. State of the art access systems can also be a very good idea for managing your workers.

For both commercial and residential facilities, functional versatilities are integral parts of Access Control Systems. An access control system can be truly useful for facilities with multiple entry points. Access Control Systems can come on different hardware platforms. Here are some common ones-

Control panels - Control panels are used with many access control systems. You interact with numeral keys or buttons here. But modern systems also have touch screens as interactive interfaces. Such arrangements are directly tied up with the locking or releasing system. If you know the right pin codes, all you have to do is enter them and the lock will open after verification of your entries.

Magstripe Readers - Magstripe Readers are used extensively with access control systems. They are also renowned as Swipe Card readers. Their usage is simple yet efficient. For instance, a company can issue encoded cards to its employees.

Proximity Readers - Long Range readers happen to be the closest counterparts of proximity readers. But both of them are usable with standard access control platforms. This hardware has sensors to read encoded cards. This means there is no swiping. Proximity Readers come with the functionality of reading cards from distance up to 100mm.

Smartcard Readers - They enable access control systems for processing additional info for additional services of a company or private premises. Good examples are time-ins and outs record maintenance. Access control systems usually have the capacity to be interfaced with payroll coordination, parking scheme, catering or even vending services.

Identification methods The bottom line of access control system is to identify visitors or non-employees. For efficient identification, 3 methods are used in access control systems. a) Door bell system- These systems alerts people inside a premises. b) Audio intercom system- They allow visitors to speak with people inside the premises. c) Camera equipped audio intercom systems- When you are inside the building, they allow you to actually see and talk with a visitor. If you grant access to the visitor, the entry door is unlocked remotely. At this point you can send someone to escort the visitor.

In some instances, cards and tags are issued for apposite identifications. Access control systems are great way to control, monitor and grant access into or out of premises.

April 26 2009 | home security | No Comments »