Back-to-School Safety Tips for Children

It is that time again in the season where children return to school. There are so many safety concerns with kids and school these days it is difficult to know where to focus. Depending upon the age of your child, mapping out routes for walking, biking and preparing them for school bus etiquette will assist in preventing problem areas as they travel to and from school. Many schools now have e-alerts which can provide a key contact with updates and emergency information through email or text.

If your child is older, discussions on proper use of cell phones during school (know who is calling, what NOT to send people and why) and Internet protocol is usually the way to go. It may also be wise to remind your young drivers that smaller children will be walking to and from school so extra caution should be taken at the wheel.

If you work outside the home and want to be notified when your family begins to arrive home, there are certain security features that can be added to your home to provide you with video clips, email and/or Internet alerts. For example, you can be alerted when:

• The children come home for school
• The backyard gate is opened
• The garage door is opened
• Someone uses the pool
• Your gun safe or liquor cabinet is opened
• A car drives up your driveway
• Someone arms / disarms the security system

These are just a few ways a well designed security system can help you as you and your family begin the 2011-2012 school year.

More Knowledge; Better Rape Prevention

In the past several days there have been 2 reported rapes and one reported sexual assault in the Kansas City metro area.

Two rapes have been reported in the Rosedale area next to the University of Kansas Hospital. The Kansas City Kansas police notified the news to call out to the metro area in hopes of tips to identify the rapist. They also want to remind people that KU Police Escorts are available by calling 588-5030.

In another area of town, called the Trolley Trail near East 85th and Main Street, a woman in her 50s reported being sexually assaulted at 5:50 a.m. Not much yet is known on that case.

If anyone knows anything about these three cases, contact the TIPS hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477).

Everyone is a potential victim for sexual assault, no matter your age, your race or social status. The main way to protect yourself and your family is to always be aware of your surroundings. Don't live in fear . . . live with knowledge.

The following is a list of other preventative measures:

1. If you walk or jog carry mace, pepper spray, your keys held between your fingers or a whistle. The mace can also be excellent protection against a dog attack, as well.
2. Try to walk or jog in populated areas.
3. At home, whether you are single or have a family, remember to always lock your doors.
4. When you are walking to and from your car to your work, the grocery store, the mall or anywhere else, walk with a purpose. Hold your head up and look people in the eye. Walk quickly and be aware of your surroundings.
5. Look under your car before you unlock the car door. It is possible for a body to hide under the car and cut your ankles.
6. Take a self-defense class. Not only is it a good exercise program but it will help you react quickly in case of an attack and show you key spots on a person as you take them off guard, perhaps make them lose their balance, and then you can run. Eyes. Nose. Throat. Groin. Knees. Feet.
7. Don't open your door to a stranger. Keep your safety chain on and stay on the phone with someone as you answer the door.
8. Keep your home well lit. Attackers hide in the shadows.
9. If you find someone is following you, drive to the nearest police station. If someone appears to need help loading something in a vehicle, let them know you will get them help. Walk back into the store and contact a security guard.
10. And please, if you own a security system . . . USE IT.

Sources and other Rape Prevention sites:

http://www.kansascity.com/2011/06/16/2953975/police-investigating-report-of.html

http://www.nbcactionnews.com/dpp/news/crime/kansas-city,-kansas-police-department-asks-for-help-in-identifying-rape-suspect

http://www.kevincoffee.com/women_safety/rape_prevention_tips.htm

http://ezinearticles.com/?Protecting-Yourself-Against-Rape&id=244770

Fraud Protection

As the blogger at Atronic Alarms I research many facts and figures about safety protocol and procedures. Normally this research is conducted through conversations with local authorities, alarm companies or going online for extensive Internet searching.

This post, however, is coming from first hand, personal experience.

Bank fraud. It happened. Over the weekend there were four transactions to my personal account totaling $600.00.

I had first caught it on Sunday and on Monday I called the bank. I was relieved to hear that I was covered by Fraud Protection, a service they offer that "watches" accounts and flags anything out of the ordinary. They had me scheduled to be called that day because they had noticed many unusual transactions. After filling out some paperwork, canceling and reinstating the debit card, no money was lost.

"The company we use has lists of "fraudulent" organizations and will notice them immediately if one appears as a withdrawal. They will contact you to verify you did not authorize the transaction."
First Option Bank, Louisburg, KS

Talking with the bank, as well as extensively with the company, Fraud Prevention Services in North Dakota, it was clear that this kind of thing happens ALL OF THE TIME. In order to protect yourself from bank fraud, follow these simple rules:

1. Check with your bank to understand their procedures of fraud protection. Make sure your bank offers this service on debit card transactions.

2. Update your contact information with the bank. When fraud is detected, the company will contact you to verify the wrong-doing so it can be stopped from going through your account.

3. Check over your bank transactions at least once a week. Many banks offer the online service so you can log into your account easily and see all withdrawals. I noticed the post description, didn't recognize it, Googled the company name and found it to be a company in France.

4. Don't hand over your credit/debit card to waiters or other cashiers who leave and return. During this time they can write down the information, including your pin numbers on the back. Eat out a lot? Pay with cash.

5. Don't ever respond to emails or phone calls from what appears to be your bank asking for you to "update" personal information like bank account number, social security or maiden names. Banks do not update their information through this way.

In the end it was a fantastic learning opportunity. My bank has a safety net. Does yours?

Links to more resources:
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Is-It-Safe-to-Bank-usnews-4209634978.html?x=0

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/menus/consumer/data/idt.shtm

Tax Day Safety Tips : Avoid Identity Theft

Welcome to tax day 2011. Most of us on this day are focused on those pesky tax returns and getting them to the I.R.S., either hard copies or electronically, before day's end. This is a perfect time to remind you about identity theft and provide a couple of tips to help prevent it.

According to the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) Identity Theft Survey Report of 2003, almost 10 million Americans (or 4.6% of the population) have discovered that they were a victim of some sort of ID theft within the last year.

Identity thieves steal your information by several ways: Mailbox raiding or dumpster diving and fraudulent activity through email, the telephone, ATM machines and personal file hacking. Social networking sites are also used by identity thieves to find more personal information to help "fill in the gaps."

The average victim spends 30 hours resolving their ID theft problems, total each year American spend 297 million hours resolving their ID theft problems.

To help keep your identity on maximum security during tax season, follow these five rules:

1. If you file your return electronically, do so with an authorized e-file partner of the IRS.

2. Encrypt copies you keep on your computer.

3. Make sure your Internet security is up-to-date.

4. Turn off all sharing services.

5. Make sure your Internet connection is secure before you file. There should be a "https" at the beginning of the web site address.

Source(s): http://www.allbusiness.com/crime-law-enforcement-corrections/criminal-offenses-fraud/13828784-1.html

http://www.ncvc.org/ncvc/main.aspx?dbName=DocumentViewer&DocumentID=32359#4

Landscaping Your Home for Security

Winter is officially over, the Robins are pulling worms, and there have been sightings of flying bugs. Your crocuses have bloomed, daffodils are opening and you can't wait to get out in the yard to begin this season's landscaping projects.

While you are laying out new plans and cultivating your brain for full-steam ahead this landscaping season, don't forget to think about security.

How can landscaping affect your security? Just remember the bottom line: if you have a lot of hiding places and secluded areas in your outdoor paradise then it is probably not deterring the criminal element.

Bad guys like areas that are overgrown and shadowed so they can watch, or "case," the residence. Some people even would argue that the more overgrown the area is, the more likely it will appeal to intruders. Perhaps they are thinking they'll find an open or "loose" window push open; perhaps they think that no one lives there. What ever their thoughts, they are able to linger in the bushes while deciding what to do.

If you are the type of person who likes a secluded area with a lot of shrubbery, you may want to consider utilizing lighting effects to enhance the area in the dark. Motion lights are excellent because they are not glowing constantly and only come on when tripped. Not only does this help lower electricity usage but it may startle someone enough to make them leave.

There is a fine line between privacy and seclusion. Keep your home well lit and maintained. Remember, the best security measure is prevention.

What NOT to Do on Facebook

Facebook and Twitter are great social networking groups. They help keep you connected to friends, reconnect with people long-lost, and let "bad guys" know every move you make.

DON'T post on your social Internet pages when you will be leaving for a vacation, how long you will be gone, or who is, or who is not, house-sitting while you are away. DON'T post about your teenage daughter baby-sitting tonight while you and your spouse head off for the weekend. DON'T post about your kids coming home after school to an empty house before you get home from work.

Remember to use common sense in your social networking. Be Safe.