Posts Tagged ‘personal security’

Panic Alarms: How to Use and Different Types

In this day and age, you’ll never know when you’ll need a panic alarm.  Not only are panic alarms a necessity for people who have physical limitations, they are also important self-defense and medical emergency tools for those who might require immediate assistance.

What is a panic alarm?
Panic alarms are portable electronic devices that are used to trigger an alert – either in the form of an audible alarm or as a remote alert to a monitoring station.  As their name suggests, they are used in case panic situations emerge that may threaten or endanger an individual, his home or other properties.

Types of panic alarms

Handheld types
These panic alarms are directly controlled by the user.  In many handheld models, a trigger device such as an alarm button, switch or pin built into the panic alarm unit is pushed or pulled off.  This causes the panic alarm to produce a loud alert, such as a siren or a bell.

This type of panic alarm is handy enough to be carried in a purse or used as a key chain.  They are quite useful for individuals who wish to use panic alarms as self-defense tools to prevent an attack (such as during an attempted robbery, hold-up or sexual assault) and/or to call for help.

Once triggered, this type of panic alarm will require a reset.

Receiver-Transmitter types
This type of panic alarm is an excellent choice for home use by the elderly, the sick or very young children left alone in the house.  The transmitter device is either handheld or portable (such as those worn around the neck or wrist) or fixed (such as those installed on the wall).

The transmitter device can be triggered two ways – manually or automatically through a pre-set electronic signal.  In the case of a manual panic alarm, a receiver unit detects the signal and sends out an audible alarm. This alarm is usually loud enough to be audible to people within the same house or to the neighbor next door.  An automatic signal, on the other hand, is triggered by a sensor on the transmitter.

Monitored alarms
Monitored panic alarms usually require the assistance of a third party to work.  They are usually the alarm of choice for people who require emergency medical services.  The panic button or transmitter is usually worn.  When triggered, it will send a signal wirelessly to a receiver console.  The console will then automatically call a pre-set number of a monitoring center to alert them.

From hereon, there are different scenarios that could occur, depending on the service subscribed to.  The monitoring center could:

- dial the nearest 911 center to alert them of the user’s needs and current condition
- alert an emergency medical team who can assist the user
- call an emergency number specified by the user, such as a family member, friend or medical facility

Services and features can differ, offering users enough choices to customize the options according to their needs.

dual purpose personal alarm image

Personal Panic Alarm: What is it and what are its Benefits?

Regardless of who you are, what you do and where you live, there is always a risk of running into an emergency or a dangerous situation. The worst thing that could happen should such a thing occur is when you find yourself completely unprepared to handle the situation or worse, protect yourself and call for help.  Potential emergencies such as these have prompted people to use personal panic alarms.  But what exactly are personal panic alarms and what are their benefits?

The personal panic alarm
The personal panic alarm is an electronic device that consists of a switch and a small speaker that will sound an alarm when turned on.  There are several brands of panic alarms and while they may differ in features, they all have one purpose – to sound out a loud alarm when activated.  This is to draw attention to the user, call for help in case no phone is available or if the user is incapacitated and to scare away an intruder or an attacker.

Benefits of the personal panic alarm
There are several options to choose from when purchasing a personal panic alarm.  Some are designed to be used in the home, where the elderly or physically incapacitated can make use of them, while others are handy and can be carried around.

The handy personal panic alarm is a small handheld device which comes with a switch button or pin.  In case of an emergency, the user simply has to press on the button or pull the pin to activate the alarm. How loud the alarm is will depend on its size and type.

The handy personal panic alarm is often sold by personal security retail stores online and offline.  They are battery operated and can be used readily after purchase. They are stand-alone products, in that there is no need for a third party service to activate the alarm.

There are also alarms that work as transmitters.  Another device, called the receiver, is placed within recommended range in the room, home or building.  This type of personal alarm can either be carried around or attached to the body or it can be placed in a fixed position in a designated area.

Fixed personal panic alarms usually come with a push button or a pull cord.  Portable alarms, on the other hand, sometimes come with a sensor to detect motion or pulse.  Others may even have a sensor to detect falls.  Should an accident happen, the personal alarm transmits a signal to the receiver, which then sounds out an alarm.

Personal panic alarms of these types are very useful for people who live by themselves or those who are frequently left alone in the house.  They are also beneficial for seniors and the elderly or those who have problems with mobility.  An alarm can call the attention of a neighbor or passerby or it can be used to dial a pre-set emergency number.

personal alarm with flashing light image

Home Security Systems That Will Keep Your Home Safe During the Holidays

The holidays are always a time for celebrations and while most people prefer to stay at home to have fun with family and friends, others prefer to go on vacations. This is an opportunity that many burglars and thieves take advantage of because they know that homes are at their most vulnerable when there’s no one around. To keep your home safe during the holidays, here are some of the most effective home security systems you can use:

Door and window alarms
The entry and exit points of every home can also be its weakest areas. These are commonly used by intruders to break into your home. To keep your home safe, install alarms that will go off in case of unauthorized entry.

For door and window alarms, you have two choices: one that works independently and one that is connected to a home security company. A home security system could sound a loud alarm to alert neighbors, passersby and other people. The sound can often be enough to scare away a burglar and deter them from going further.

Another option is to use an alarm system that is rigged to go off silently. This is an alarm that is monitored remotely by a second party, usually the company from whom you purchase the system. After checking if the alarm is legitimate and not just a false alarm caused by accidental tripping, the company will alert authorities to check your home for you.

Security cameras
Security cameras have time and again helped protect and prevent homes from burglaries and other crimes. Once installed in strategic locations, security camera systems can deter potential criminals from entering your property.

If you rig your home security system to be monitored remotely, a security camera system can alert you in advance so you could immediately call authorities on site. In case a burglary does occur, security cameras can monitor and record any activities and help in the identification of the criminals.

Automatic timers
Another very useful home security system you could use is an automatic timer. You could install this for outdoor lights (patio, garage doors, yard, etc.) or for radios and/or TVs inside your home. Automatic timers can be programmed to switch lights, radios or TVs on at a particular time of the day or night and keep them on for a specific number of hours. This can be very effective in making your house appear as if it has occupants in it, even if you’re away for the holidays.

fake TV image