Protecting Yourself While Holiday Traveling

Many people are taking to the road this holiday season, either traveling to a loved one’s home or enjoying a nice winter vacation. While nobody likes to be too concerned about personal safety while enjoying such a cheerful time, there are some security products that can give you some additional peace of mind before you make it safely to your destination.

Staying at a bed and breakfast, ski lodge or hotel is part of the fun of holiday trips, but these sites can also compromise the personal safety of your family if you do not take some additional precautions. Not only can you secure all doors and windows with a door brace, but you might also consider taking along a mini alert alarm or a volumetric pressure alarm. Both of these products require no wiring and are easily moved from location to location, which means that you can place them in every lodging room you stay along your trip. Remember that no matter how luxurious the hotel or lodge, it is never too safe that it does not warrant some backup safety plans.

Once you are secure in your room, or even while en route, keep some additional items handy and within easy reach—such as a personal alarm or even a pepper spray device. Personal security items such as these are invaluable in the case of an unexpected attack or room invasion; and they may give you just the time you need to make it to a safe, public location. For more information on which safety products to take on your holiday travels, visit www.promarksafety.com.

Try a Personal or Home Safety Gift Basket for a Christmas Gift

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Are you searching for that perfect Christmas gift for that someone who seems to have everything? Or, do you have a friend or family member who has recently moved out on their own or purchased their first home? If so, put together a personal or home safety gift basket and watch them show their appreciation for such a thoughtful gift! Below are some ideas for baskets that are unique, as well as very helpful:

Personal Safety Gift Ideas

· Personal alarm

· Keychain flashlight

· Electronic barking dog device

· For older adults: taser device or mace sprayer device

· Cell phone with either prepaid minutes or activated plan

· Pepper sprayer

· Door stop alarm

· Flashlight with batteries or light sticks

· Emergency kit in a small travel bag that includes: battery-powered radio, water, energy bars, flashlight and first aid kit

Home Safety Gift Ideas

· Smoke detectors with batteries

· Fire extinguisher

· First aid kit

· Carbon monoxide detector

· Window alarm

· Pool alarm (if necessary)

· Door brace

· Motion home alarm with keypad

· Voice alert alarm

There are many other ideas for personal and home safety Christmas gifts, these are only a few suggestions. Visit www.promarksafety.com for additional gift ideas. Just place these personal safety products into a nice basket, wrap with cellophane and tie with a bow, and you will have the perfect present for anyone on your Christmas list!

To sign up for Promark Safety’s monthly enewsletter, filled with more product tips, safety information and fun facts, click here.

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The Runt Stun Gun: Perfect for Women

Many women would love the additional personal security protection and peace of mind that comes with carrying a stun gun; however, the bulky size makes traditional personal safety products such as these distasteful to many women. The answer to the dilemma of how to reconcile the need for extra protection with ease of use is to find a product that fits the lifestyle and preferences of today’s women.

The Runt Stun Gun is a mini personal safety product that delivers maximum protection. It is easy to conceal and is, in fact, virtually undetectable when held in the hand. A would-be attacker will probably never see the product that is capable of making an average-sized person drop instantaneously. The makers of The Run use the latest micro-technology to design a product that delivers very powerful personal safety protection from something that is incredibly small.

There are three levels of voltage with The Runt, which means you can pick how strongly you want to stun your attacker. Further, The Runt is easy to carry in either your hand or your pocket; or, it may be worn using the belt loop holster that is included—when carried like this, it appears to be a simple pager. Many women may choose to carry this product in their purse when they are not using it; however, these women should make sure to remove The Runt and carry it in their hand while walking through parking garages, dark lots or other places of potential danger.

For more products and information about how to keep yourself and your loved ones safe, visit us at www.promarksafety.com. We carry the latest in personal security and home security products, and are sure to have just the items you need.

To sign up for Promark Safety’s monthly enewsletter, filled with more product tips, safety information and fun facts, click here.

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Fall Safety Tips

Fall is a beautiful time of year, and it’s also a great time to take a second look at your family’s personal safety and reassess areas that could use some reinforcement. Think of it this way: just like the leaves are taking time to change, it may be time to change some of your own personal security habits!

You should already be changing the batteries on your smoke alarm whenever you reset your clocks at the end of daylight savings time; why not go a step farther this year? Check the backup batteries on your home alarm system, and double check the functioning of your carbon monoxide detectors. It’s also a good idea to inspect your furnace and chimney to make sure they are safe to use during the cooler weather. Be sure to also create a new or practice your existing fire escape plan—including reminding all family members to never return to a burning building for any reason!

With school swinging into full gear and family calendars filling up, it is a great time to go over your family’s rules about how kids should behave when they are home alone. Up to 40% of kids spend a substantial amount of time alone, so parents should be very explicit about the need for these kids to stay aware of their personal safety. Establish a regular personal security routine for your kids, including calling you once they are made it home safely, turning off the home alarm system, and locking all doors and windows. If you do not already have a door alarm or other home security product, consider investing in one this fall.

Finally, autumn means back to school time, and parents should firmly establish personal security rules for traveling back and forth to school. Children who walk to school, and who are old enough and responsible enough, may want to carry a personal safety product such as a personal alarm or pepper spray device in order to protect themselves from a surprise attack.

For more advice about how to approach fall safety in your home, visit the security professionals online at www.promarksafety.com.

To sign up for Promark Safety’s monthly enewsletter, filled with more product tips, safety information and fun facts, click here.

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Benefits of a Handheld Metal Detector

Are you the owner of a security company that is tasked with screening attendees at large events or venues in order to improve the personal safety of participants? If so, then you already understand how difficult and time-consuming it can be to shepherd large numbers of people through standing metal detectors. Trying to shuffle individuals through these areas quickly, while continuing to scan every person for weapons, is not only time-consuming, but it is also irritating for others in line who have to move forward so slowly.

One way to help move this screening process along is to use a handheld metal detector such as the Pro-Scan model. Even though this personal security product is small, it meets the exact requirements of the security industry and is capable of detecting weapons for crowd control, border security and even package checks. Basically, the Pro-Scan Handheld Metal Detector can find hidden metal in any location.

Security professionals will learn of the hidden metal by an audio warning tone that is accompanied by a red light; however, the sensitivity of this metal detector may be adjusted to meet the specifications of any situation. For example, a .38 caliber gun will be found at 7.75 inches using low sensitivity, and at 11 inches at the highest sensitivity. It is easy to switch between sensitivity modes, and the scanning area of the detector is large.

For more information about other personal safety products, including personal alarms, pen knives, pen video recorders, mace devices and more, visit our website at www.promarksafety.com. We will help you choose products that can keep you and your family safe, and our experts are available to give you the knowledge you need to make well-informed personal security and home security decisions.

What to Know about Pocket Knives

Choosing and carrying a pocket knife, or folding knife, is one way that some people choose to improve their personal security. There are many different types of pocket knives, so if you are in the market to purchase a new personal safety item, take care to consider the following:

• Legal Issues: Some states may have local laws that prohibit the length of a knife that may be carried on a person. There are also some locations that place restriction on the blade deployment and locking methods. Of course, many locations, including banks, liquor stores, work places and schools, severely restrict or prohibit pocket knives of any lenth.
• Blade Locking Mechanism: In general, blades should be able to be locked when they are open to avoid accidentally closing on the user’s hand. Try to purchase a folding knife that has an automatic locking feature, as a manual lock requires an extra safety step.
• Blade Length: Depending on the size and dexterity of the user, the length of the blade should be short enough to control, yet long enough to use effectively. Try to choose a blade that is between two and four inches long, as anything longer is more suitable for chopping than for personal security.
• Edge: A serrated, or saw tooth, edge is great for cutting materials and stays sharp longer; yet these knives are harder to open and are considered more aggressive. It is usually best to choose a smooth edge blade.
• Handle: It is essential to choose a non-slip grip for safety. This grip comes from a rough handle (yet won’t scrap skin) and the shape of the handle (which could include finger indentations). You definitely want to choose a knife that will allow you to use it without fear of your hand slipping up onto the blade.

For a great variety of folding knives, as well as a range of other personal safety items, visit www.promarksafety.com. We can help you choose products that will allow you to take charge of your own personal safety.

To sign up for Promark Safety’s monthly enewsletter, filled with more product tips, safety information and fun facts, click here.

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How to Use Pepper Spray Effectively

Promark Safety offers a variety of pepper spray products.

Pepper spray is an excellent personal safety device, as long as the user understands when and how to user. The basic method to use a pepper sprayer is to slightly crouch with your weight balanced evenly on both feet and lift one outstretched hand (without the sprayer) in front of you. Thrusting your shooting hand in front of you, shot “Stop!” as loudly as you can. While you are shouting, raise your shooting hand, with the pepper spray, to eye level and shoot towards the attacker’s face and head.

Your personal security product retailer should be able to give you additional information about how to best use pepper spray; however, the following measures should help you be able to use your device safely and effectively:

• Don’t Stick Your Hand Out Very Far: If you stick your hand out far, the attacker may react quickly and either hit your hand our grab the pepper spray. Instead, shoot will backing up and away.

• Shout Stop: Shouting can sometimes cause an additional diversion during an unexpected attack; you may also want to raise your outstretch hand toward the opponent, as this can cause him/her to focus on it instead of the hand with the pepper spray.

• Keep Your Eyes Open: Never shut your eyes while you spray, because you may need to adjust your aim. After spraying for 2 or 3 seconds, the assailant should be forced to stop and cough and rub his/her eyes. When this happens, concentrate on getting away as quickly as you can.

• Use an X or Z Pattern: The attacker is obviously not going to stay still while you shoot them with spray, and an X or Z pattern can help you hit your target.

• Practice, Practice, Practice: Besides carrying this personal safety product in the same place every time, practice drawing the pepper spray and aiming it towards a target. One ideal location for the device is inside a pants pocket.

To purchase your own pepper spray device, or to learn about other personal security product, visit the home and personal security professionals at www.promarksafety.com.

To sign up for Promark Safety’s monthly enewsletter, filled with more product tips, safety information and fun facts, click here.

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Swimming Pool Safety for Families with Young Children

A swimming pool can be a real highlight of your home, a place where families and friends gather to enjoy spending time with each other and warm summer days. As fun as swimming pool can be, it is still a very dangerous addition to homes—particularly homes with young children. Some personal safety advocate organizations advise that families with children younger than five years old refrain from having a swimming pool installed; however, you can protect children of all ages by sticking to child safety and general pool safety measures.

Of course, the best way to protect your children from harm is to never leave your children alone when they are in or near the pool—even if they can swim well. Many parents think that their children are old enough, or can swim well enough, to be left alone for a couple of minutes. This is simply not true! Very young children need to be within an arm’s length at all times.

Another safety measure that parents need to consider is to build a fence between their house and the pool, as many children drown by simply wandering out of the house and falling into the pool. Also, keep all rescue equipment and a telephone within easy access of the pool. Another great product that parents should strongly consider purchasing is a pool alarm, which alerts parents if a child or a pet falls into their swimming pool. This product is easy to use and can be a literal lifesaver in an emergency situation.

Don’t let your swimming pool become a child safety hazard—take real steps to improve the personal safety of everyone in your home. For even more ideas about how to keep your family safe around your swimming pool, visit www.promarksafety.com.

To sign up for Promark Safety’s monthly enewsletter, filled with more product tips, safety information and fun facts, click here.

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Safety Tips for On-Campus College Students

Many college students will tell you that the best part of going to school is living on campus with all of their friends. What could be more fun than hanging out with your classmates, enjoying late night food runs and gabbing until the wee hours of the morning? Dorm room living is not all fun and games, however, and many parents are understandably leery of sending their kids off to live on campus without addressing personal safety concerns.

Aside from keeping personal security products such as pepper spray and personal alarms handy, how can college students improve their safety while they are living in dorms?

• Find out if your residence hall is equipped with locks on the exterior doors and windows. If these are lacking, ask the administration why they have not taken these basic safety precautions.
• Never loan out your dorm room key, and be sure to always lock your door and window when you are absent. This includes telling your new roommate that you will decline to leave the door unlocked, even if this is what he or she prefers. Of course, it is always best to have this type of discussion in the first few days after moving in together!
• Find out if residence hall assistance and/or security professionals patrol the residence halls during both day and night, checking for propped doors.
• Even if you do keep your dorm room door locked, never leave your wallet, checkbook, laptop, cell phone jewelry or other valuables in open view.
• Program your room’s landline phone with speed dial numbers to family, friends and emergency personnel.
• Develop a relationship with your residence hall neighbors, and keep an eye out for suspicious activity and loitering by people you don’t recognize.
• Purchase small personal safety items, such as a pen knife or a pepper spray device, that you can keep handy at all times—including when you are asleep in your dorm room.

For more advice on how to stay safe while living on campus, or for suggestions for personal security items that are ideal for college students, visit www.promarksafety.com.

To sign up for Promark Safety’s monthly enewsletter, filled with more product tips, safety information and fun facts, click here.

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What to do in case of a home invasion

Would you know what to if the unthinkable happened, and you and your family became the victims of a home invasion? Although there isn’t a single way to safely react to such a frightening situation, the following suggestions may help you keep your loved ones safe in the case of an intruder, whether or not your home is fitted with a home security product:

• Resist the temptation to confront the intruder: The first instinct of many homeowners when they hear a suspicious noise is to check out what is going on. (Or, at least to send a spouse!) The truth is, however, that the safest way to approach a home invasion is to try and flee from the situation. If you can leave the home without the intruder even knowing you were there, that is the absolute best outcome.

• Call 911 immediately. Before you do anything else, you need to immediately call your local authorities by dialing 911. Don’t worry about running the risk of reporting a false alarm; your local police force would much rather you call in a mistake than to ignore a very serious situation.

• Gather your family together. Bring all of your family, if possible, into a single location—particularly young children. This will help you not only keep tabs on everyone, but will also help to quiet younger family members.

• If you have a personal security product, have it ready. Of course, it is not wise to beginning spraying pepper spray or your mace device randomly in an effort to hopefully hit the intruder; however, get products such as a stun gun or a pen knife ready to use in the event that the intruder discovers you are present.

Home invasions are a terrifying prospect, which is why the professionals at Promark Safety are pleased to offer our clients a full line of useful personal security products and house alarms. Visit us today at www.promarksafety.com.

To sign up for Promark Safety’s monthly enewsletter, filled with more product tips, safety information and fun facts, click here.

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