KeyExpress.com Blog

As flood waters continue to rise throughout many parts of Georgia, residents of Lilburn are awaking to the need for preparedness awareness. According to experts at FEMA or the Federal Emergency Management Agency, it is imperative to understand what steps to take in order to keep property, people and precious belongings safe.  Keep reading for a short primer on preparedness awareness related to flood damage or other water related issues:

Pets & People. Pets & People are the first and most important consideration during any emergency and ironically, one of the most important parts of preparing for flood damage is actually providing access to clean drinking water. Flood waters typically carry extensive contamination, bacteria and organic debris that can result in illness if ingested. In fact, it is a good idea to limit physical exposure or direct contact with flood waters; instead, stock up on fresh water if possible or be sure to boil all tap/other water for at least ten minutes prior to using. 

Precious Belongings. There are some things that can’t be replaced by insurance; family heirlooms, treasured moments or cherished keepsakes. Make sure these are removed from the environment after flood damage has occurred; remember, mold spores can spread and contaminate the entire home if work is not properly performed. Insist upon water extraction and then ask about duct cleaning, upholstery, carpet and other needed ancillary services to be sure your home is restored to its formerly pristine condition.

Property. The final step is to protect your property; as soon as possible contact a reputable flood damage or water restoration specialists that is licensed, bonded and insured as well as Certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration so you have the peace of mind knowing the job is done right the first time; additionally, it is a good idea to ask about a warranty for areas like the carpet cleaning or mold remediation work following water damage or restoration services.

Preparedness awareness makes sense throughout the year; don’t delay in making sure your family is ready for any type of weather or man-made emergency.  Keep your insurance up to date and make it simple on yourself by contacting Kiwi Services for all your Lilburn flood damage and Lilburn water damage.  The most reputable providers service the Lilburn area 24/7 while providing immediate service any time of the day or night

Smart-HDL introduce to you the most advanced sensor technology in the world until now: The Eight in One Sensor Module

8 in 1 sensor module

Brief History
1970 Motion sensor is used for alarm system
1983 Motion sensor used for home automation
1987 Motion and light intensity companied together in 1 sensor
1999 First digital adjustable Motion sensor with microwave
2001 Digital Motion microwave and light intensity sensor
2003 The 3 in 1 Module include Motion, light intensity and IR receiver
2009 Smart-HDL innovation the  8 in 1   Sensor

The Eight in one sensor include 1- Motion sensor, 2- Light intensity sensor, 3- Infrared Receiver, 4- 360 degree Infrared transmitter, 5- first dry input sensor , 6- second dry input sensor , 7 – 32 Logic Automation tables, 8- 3 zones Security support

8 in 1 Module Features:
• Elegant, ceiling mount functional small module, all what you need for every room in 1 small module.
• Motion sensor, PIR technology with digital range adjustable, occupancy timer, and retriggering delay time.
• Light intensity, Light Range triggering different programming functions.
• IR Receiver, up to 8 Infrared macro triggering from the remote control.
• IR transmitter, 360 degree all directional IR transmitters, 250 IR code memory to control your home appliances, TV, DVD, split AC, etc…
• 2 dry input sensor, to connect to other room sensor like door window contact, or smoke detector, that saving the wiring and programming time.
• Automation Logic, 32 AND/OR Linking table for Automation programming to enhance the functions of all the sensor and bus devices together, with 255 programming flag.
• Security, support 3 zones of security for it motion sensor and the 2 dry input, setting it as fire, gas, away, night zone etc…
• Bus enabled, bus terminal to connect as 1 device in the bus network with broadcast button for its address, 8-24 VDC operated from bus network, this module designed to customize all the functions in 1 that save your time, wiring, and money.

For more info, Manuals, Films and others you can visit our website http://www.smart-hdl.com

For installation and Programming Film you can visit http://www.youtube.com/sbustraining

One of the most under utilized, yet effective self defense impact weapons is the police style expandable friction lock baton. Law enforcement personnel take full advantage of these batons using them daily. Civilians for the most part are just becoming familiar with the weapon.

The expandable baton is an excellent self defense weapon. Made of solid steel the handle is lined with a comfortable, durable and gripping foam. The baton is thickest at the base and becomes more narrow toward the top of the shaft. In the closed position it makes for an excellent “blocking weapon” as well as a pressure point tool. In the closed position the baton is compact, between seven and ten inches depending upon model. With the flip of the wrist the baton more than doubles in length and becomes a very powerful striking weapon.

Expandable batons use friction lock technology, which allows them to easily expand the unit while ensuring it locks in the expanded position to ensure it does not collapse when needed most. In order to collapse the baton you must strike the tip of the baton on a hard surface releasing the friction lock bearings.

One strike can literally shatter bone. A huge advantage of these police style batons are the extended reach, at up to 26? in length you can create valuable distance between yourself and the attacker. This allows you to stay outside of the attackers reach at the same time you are able to strike at any and allow exposed body parts as well as their weapon. Concentrate on striking areas such as the elbow, knee, wrist, hand, ribs, and head. Strikes to these areas can be extremely debilitating and end confrontation quickly.

There are several types of basic self defense strikes you can use with impact weapons such as batons. The slashing strike is similar to that of swing a baseball bat, this is the most powerful type of strike but also takes the longest amount of time in order to complete the action and gain the momentum necessary to be effective.Jabbing or poking can be extremely effective, especially in close quarter combat. Jabbing to the abdomen, groin and chest are great target areas.

A thrust is a striking move that follows the motion of a uppercut punch. The thrust is an especially effective move from the closed position. A strike to the solar plexus or neck of an attacker can end an attack quickly.

Police batons are also great for self defense against aggressive dogs. If you walk, or jog chances are you’ve come across an unleashed dog that would like to take your legs off. Many people walk with a stick or piece of wood. Well the expandable baton is compact and convenient to carry in its compact position. Again, with the flip of your wrist it locks in the expanded position allowing you to keep that dog at bay.

Batons are nearly indestructible, they are made of solid steel and should last you a lifetime. So unlike other self defense products, you won’t need to replace them over time. You can certainly choose to spend over $100 bucks for some of the name brand batons, or you can spend less than half that amount for our Stun Master economy batons. The quality is excellent and you can add an LED light attachment which will turn your baton into a bright led flashlight. I encourage you to learn more by visiting our baton web page.

While many people would like to purchase an alarm system, the task itself can be somewhat confusing.  “What kind of package do I need”, “which components would be most useful for my lifestyle”, “how much should I be willing to spend” are all questions that may run through one’s head. A good first step to choosing the right home alarm is consulting a guide manual which breaks down the devices and components of home alarm systems into understandable information. By briefly reading through the following digest version of home alarms, you will save yourself a good deal of time trying to decode the mysteries of these complex packages on the spot.

Motion detectors are a central feature of most good home alarm systems you will find on the market today. Motion detectors work in one of two ways: microwave sensors interpret information received by reflecting microwaves off of passing objects, while infrared light sensors derive their data from the invisible light that is given off by any heat-producing object. Together, these technologies work in a complementary fashion to ensure that your home is protected, while simultaneously avoiding as many unnecessary false alarms as possible.

While all home alarm systems are likely to be equipped with an audio system, the strength of the siren can significantly impact the effectiveness (or lack thereof) of the entire security apparatus.  A basic home alarm will generally feature a 15-20 Watt siren, which is considered to be an indoor siren.  This will be heard within the home and property, and is the common choice for many homeowners.  A 30-Watt siren is a bit of a more serious option.  With this type, the intruder (and potentially neighbors) will hear the alarm from outside the home.  This type thus has both benefits and drawbacks.  It is likely to add an element of prevention to the system, as the burglar may be deterred more quickly from initial entrance with the loud alarm sounding even before he/she sets foot within the home.  Yet it should be used by people who are aware of the potential disturbance to neighbors, in the event of an occurrence such as a false alarm.  This is likely then to be a better fit, in general, in areas with somewhat larger individual properties, or where lifestyle circumstances are less likely to generate false alarms (I.e. with an individual couple, as opposed to a large family with a constant stream of visitors).

Another potential feature when considering alarm systems is the capacity for having a visual alarm component, rather than solely an audio siren system.  A visual component is likely to consist of either illuminating, broad-range bright lights, or of a strobe light.  The former are suitable for essentially every home type, while the latter is best suited for more specific circumstances.  Specifically, the brightness and long-range visibility of strobe lights render them ideal for homes on larger, more isolated properties, such as in the countryside.  These lights, which would likely be a disturbance to neighbors in suburban areas, are able to deter  burglars swiftly, and to help the authorities to sight the exact home location from a distance.  They thus help to hasten the summoning of assistance as well as the exit of the burglar.

There are many features to consider when choosing an alarm system.  However, there are no empirically right or wrong answers in home safety; when determining the highlights of your home security system, what matters is simply what will best suit your needs and keep you and your family safe.

When you move to a big city for the first time, the thought on your mind might be street smarts rather than home security. But in reality, the two concepts are linked together very closely, and learning to perfect your street smarts goes hand in hand with staying safe in your new apartment building.

Unless you’re particularly lucky, chances are that if you’re living in a big city, you’re going to be living in an apartment. Whether it’s a small building with no laundry room or a gigantic, doorman and gym included affair, there are a whole special set of rules that go with living in an apartment that can be a little tricky for someone used to a house. For one thing, just because someone is in the building doesn’t mean that they live there, or should be there. Until you get to know your neighbors, as in talking to them and knowing their names and apartment numbers, don’t go holding the door open for everyone. Likewise, if someone buzzes on your apartment and says they live there and forgot their keys, unless you know them, forget it. You don’t want to jeopardize the safety of yourself or the building.

If you’re living in a city where you still have a car, it’s great to know that your car alarm can act much in the same way as a home alarm. Just keep your keys in your hand where you can reach them as you’re walking from your parking spot or place in the garage up to your building. If someone tries to cause trouble with you on your walk, just hit the “alarm” button on your car keys. They won’t be able to tell where the alarm is coming from, and will most likely run away rather than bother you any more. This tip is particularly helpful for women living alone who might come home at odd hours.

Just because you’re living in a large building with other people doesn’t mean that it’s not possible to create home security for your apartment. In addition to the regular locks, install a deadbolt or too, to really beef up the safety of your building. Make sure that your peep hole is unobstructed, and if anyone comes knocking on your door claiming to be a repairman or a cable installation guy, be sure to ask for verification, including ID. Also, never hesitate to look up the company in the Yellow Pages, as the best way to check and see if a company sent a worker is to talk to a dispatcher you reach on your own, not just calling a number that some alleged cable installation man gives you.

While living in a city can be a huge switch from a small town or a house with a home alarm system, it’s not impossible to learn the city smarts to keep you safe out and about and at home in your apartment. Following these tips will leave any new urbanite a sense of security in a big new world.

One of the best ways to evaluate your personal home security is through the eyes of a potential intruder in your home–because who would know better than they what types of things make one an easy target for a criminal, or what the most common tactics employed in home invasions are. Most Americans think that the typical things like locking one’s doors or carrying a cell phone at all times are the key aspects of personal safety. While these two safeguards can certainly prevent a lot of disasters and are good precautionary steps towards ensuring the safety of oneself and loved ones, there are other, equally important things to consider these days. Thieves and evil-doers are becoming increasingly technologically savvy, often working in groups to establish the patterns of one’s comings and goings to identify moments at which one is most vulnerable, or one’s home left unprotected.

Often, workers in the surrounding areas or on neighboring homes can prove potential sources of crime, as they have the optimal vantage point to see when the owners of a house leave, or if the head of the household lives alone, or possesses some other kind of weak point. Sometimes, due to the transitory, unstable, physically demanding nature of construction jobs, these workers may be drawn from backgrounds that render them unsuitable for jobs requiring background checks and stable work histories. It thus becomes important to do your homework when choosing a company to perform home renovations or construction; consulting one’s neighbors and trusted online resources can save you the headache of discovering first-hand that a certain company is not all it bills itself as.

Unlike days gone by, modern threats to home security operate with the help of devices that old home security systems are not equipped to counter. Today’s criminals utilize a variety of unsavory technological tactics and do their homework before attempting a hit on a target. They may try tapping into one’s home computer system and emails to gather useful information about the homeowner, or going through garbage to obtain personal information such as social security numbers, birth dates, account numbers, or passwords.  Simply locking the doors won’t be enough to keep a threat to your home security at bay these days. But you needn’t despair, because a change in the times for criminals also means a change in the times for you; modern home security systems have been specifically designed to address the security needs for today’s homeowners.

Home alarm systems help pick up the slack where cell phones and door locks leave off. New advances in surveillance technology will take over to protect your loved ones and belongings when you are unable to do so. A sticker or sign placed in a clearly visible place on your property actually works wonders to deter the would-be home invader before a threat even materializes. Such a sign, as are often seen in stores and offices around the nation, lets criminals know you’re serious about safety, and that they can be sure the police are called within seconds if they make your home a target. Considering your personal and home safety through the eyes of an intruder is one of the most surefire ways to keep your and your family protected.

Most people don’t realize it but pepper spray and Mace brand products are legal in every U.S. state. I bet that surprises many of you. I say this because we constantly get legality questions about pepper spray and most individuals believe that it is a heavily regulated self defense product.

It is a fact, pepper spray is legal in all 50 states, however a few cities and states have restrictions on sizes, strengths, etc.. Unfortunately there are two states that we cannot ship to. In New York and Massachusetts residents are required to purchase defense sprays through a licensed firearm dealer in that state. In addition, New York residents can legally buy from a licensed Pharmacist. It all sounds a little “wacky” to us but it is what it is.

Michigan restricts the pepper spray concentration to 2%, which is a prime example of a huge misconception regarding pepper spray and Mace. There is no doubt that law makers feel that by restricting the concentration to two percent, they will in turn restrict the strength of the pepper spray. Not true!

The active ingredient in pepper spray and Mace are the peppers and the resin that is extracted. Like most other products there are many varieties of peppers; some are very potent and hot, but others are not so potent and hot. Pure pepper resin is rated in Scoville Heat Units, this is how hot it is in its pure form.

Take our Fox Labs product, they have become famous for there 2% concentration and heat rating of 5.3 million heat units. This product is a strong, potent and debilitating spray, yet it is legal in Michigan. A five or ten percent defense spray which has a lesser heat rating is restricted in Michigan which makes little sense.

If you live anywhere else in the US you can carry pepper spray as a self defense product legally and without problem. If you travel by air, please do not try to carry it on the plane, instead pack it in your checked bag and you won’t have any problems. The FAA and Homeland Security allow pepper spray to be carried legally in checked baggage.

If you have questions about an existing local restrictions don’t hesitate to contact your local or state police. An important thing to remember is if you elect to carry a lethal weapon such as a handgun your are taking on a HUGE responsibility. One that many people simply don’t understand. If you carry a good pepper spray instead you can stop an aggressive attack quickly and from a distance. Because it is totally non-lethal you don’t have to be concerned with causing permanent harm to an attacker. You will have great stopping power that will give you plenty of time to get to safety. Carry what federal and state law enforcement agents carry as a first level of defense.

When we think about bad habits, our minds often go straight to the more cliché customs on the list – biting our nails, smoking cigarettes, using foul language, etc.  We’re inclined to make a conscious effort to make changes when it comes to staying up too late at night or skipping workouts in the morning.  In a constant quest of self-improvement, we are constantly seeking out ways to turn a bad habit into a good one.

One area in which we are prone to overlook our habits is in that of home security.  Whereas it is an issue that really does require that we be on our best behavior, we often find ourselves cutting corners in assuring the safety of our homes.  Home security, however, is not an area in which we can continue to behave badly.
So take a look at these four bad home security habits you have to start breaking today:

1.  Opening the Door to Strangers

This is especially important for those living in small towns, enclosed neighborhoods or other areas where it is easy to be overly trusting.  Whenever someone knocks at your door, check to see who it is first.  Even opening the door just a little is enough for an intruder to force his or her way in and put you and your family in danger.  Before opening the door, look out of a window or a peephole to see who it is.  If you don´t recognize the face, ask what the person is there for.  Do not be afraid to refuse to open the door.

2.  Forgetting to Set the Alarm

If you’ve been conscientious enough to invest in and install a home alarm or home security system, you must also be conscientious enough to set it.  Turn your alarm on when leaving your home or when going to bed in the evening to keep your house and your family safe.  If you have a hard time remembering to do so, make up a reminder – leave yourself a note on your nightstand or on the front door.  It’s sure to soon become second nature.

3.  Leaving Doors Unlocked

You may feel so secure in your home and in your area that you often forego locking your doors and windows when you step out for a while or when you go to sleep at night – don´t.  No matter how secure you think you are, it’s best to be safe than sorry.  And locking the door is too simple a task to forego.

4.   Putting Valuables in Plain Sight

After a long day, it may be tempting to throw money on the table and leave jewelry next to the couch.  Though these may seem like little slip-ups at the time, they could lead to big problems later on.  You may not always be able to trust everyone you and other members of your household have let into your home, so it’s best to keep your more important and valuable items tucked away.

Security is of paramount importance in the modern age.  While better alarm systems, more complex locks and other solutions have been developed, fingerprint scanning is one of those solutions on the leading edge of the industry.  Why is fingerprint scanning such a powerful solution?  How can it be of use?

Through the use of a quality fingerprint scanner, individuals are allowed access to specific areas or devices.  This offers immeasurable benefits for security.  For instance, while swiping the magnetic strip of an access badge through a reading device is an excellent way to ensure that only certain people can access sensitive areas, these badges can be easily lost, stolen or duplicated.

The same holds true for other forms of security access, such as alarm codes, keys and more.  However, fingerprints cannot be lost, nor can they be stolen.  In addition, it is exceedingly difficult to copy fingerprints in such a way that they can be read by a fingerprint scanner.  Therefore, fingerprint scanning technology has become one of the industry’s hottest topics.

By using biometric scanning procedures, an employee (or other authorized person) can scan their fingerprints in a reading device and be granted instant access to a sensitive area.  This technology is now playing a role in industrial/commercial security, as well as in security for electronic devices.  As an example, numerous computers now come with a fingerprint scanner, to help prevent unauthorized access to the device.

That said, if you decide this technology is of benefit to you, you will need to ensure that you purchase the highest quality fingerprint scanning equipment available.  Cheap equipment can provide less than perfect results, denying authorized users access to devices or secured areas simply due to a fluke in operations, or a smudge of dirt on their finger.

This means that you must ensure you purchase fingerprint scanners and other related security equipment from a reputable source.  Biometric security devices are the latest advent in security technology and can provide you with numerous benefits and increase your security tremendously.  However, if you do not choose the right provider, you might find yourself saddled with expensive equipment that does not provide you with optimal operation.

Consider the provider’s reputation, the brand of the equipment and the ease of troubleshooting, should issues arise.  You should also remember that simply because a system is low-priced, it does not necessarily equate to the best deal possible.