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Is America Safe?
As the devastation and death toll from deadly Hurricane Katrina becomes more apparent, it is a grim reminder that we live in dangerous times. Every year, millions of people around the world lose their lives or have them seriously disrupted because of floods, tsunamis, wildfires, earthquakes, blizzards and hurricanes. In today's troubled world, we face even greater threats from terrorism, civil unrest, explosions and the possibility of chemical, biological or even nuclear attack. In the United States, the terrorist threat is not only from overseas groups; domestic terrorism has been with us for decades. Violence on the road and in our places of work and schools is another growing area of concern. ?In the last 25 years there has been more than 320 domestic terrorist incidents and suspected incidents ? an average out of one every month over this period. ?Over a quarter of the U.S. population are children. In the last eight years more than 40 students, teachers and custodians have been shot dead at incidents in schools. ?More than 1.7 million people are the victims of violent crime while at work. ?There are 1,200 road rage related deaths every year with a further 40,000 people killed in traffic crashes and half a million hospitalized, "The threat is real and it is growing," warns Is America Safe.com, a new website dedicated to protecting Americans and the Homeland from natural disasters and terrorist attacks. Every year about 1.7 million people are victims of violent crime while working or on duty. About 75% of these incidents ? around 1.3 million ? are simple assaults while an additional. However, over 800 workplace homicides occur every year ? more than two every day somewhere in the country. "Not only are many Americans not safe at work, many bosses are doing little to protect their workers in the event of an emergency ? whether from natural causes or man-made such as violence and terrorism," says Is America Safe.com spokesperson Don Philpott, "It is a disturbing thought that more than half the businesses in the United States do not have a crisis management plan ? what to do in the event of an emergency - and many that do, do not keep it up to date. Even fewer businesses and organizations have a physical security plan to protect their building and people who work in it," he says. "How many of these buildings are safe from terrorist attack or natural disaster. And what about the nation's 110 million households? How many families would know what to do in the event of another Katrina or other emergency," says Philpott. "Terrorism is not a new challenge and it is not going to go away any time soon so we have a duty to our families, friends and loved ones to ensure that the places where we live, work, learn and play are secure and that the people using them are safe," he says. Is America Safe.com has launched a series of practical handbooks on how to plan for and survive a major emergency whether it is a natural disaster like a hurricane or flooding, or a man-made incident, such as a terrorist attack. "Our aim is not to alarm people but to prepare and protect them so that they have the tools they needed to survive, get on with their lives and preserve the freedoms that we all hold so dear," he adds. Ends For more information go to www.isamericasafe.com or contact Don Philpott at 407.862.5477 Don Philpott has been writing, reporting and broadcasting about security, civil unrest and terrorism for almost 40 years. For 20 years he was a senior correspondent with Reuters-Press Association, the wire service, traveling the world reporting on major events and trouble spots including Northern Ireland, Lebanon, Israel, South Africa and the Far East. He is now senior correspondent with Homeland Defense Journal, the leading homeland security publication in the U.S. , and he writes for magazines and newspapers in the United States and Europe. He is the author of more than 50 books and is a regularly contributor to radio and television programs on security issues. His latest book to be published this fall is The Building Security Handbook. He has produced special reports on Protecting the Athens Olympics, The Threat from Dirty Bombs, Anti-Terrorism Measures in the UK, The National Guard , Nanotechnology and the U.S, Military and The Global Impact of the London Bombings, published in August, and which resulted in a number of radio interviews in the U.S. and UK
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RELATED ARTICLES
Handling a Hurricane; Part 2 - Preparing for and Surviving an Approaching Hurricane Part 1 of this article described some of the characteristics of hurricanes and the damage they can cause. In the days before high tech weather forecasting, well organized emergency services, and mandatory evacuation, major hurricanes resulted in hundreds, if not thousands of deaths. Infrared Goggle Pop Down in Hallways for Structure Fires Most people who are killed in structure fires die from the smoke not the flames or fire. Generally they are overcome by the smoke and lack of oxygen as the fire takes all the oxygen and replaces the airspace with smoke. There needs to be a way to get these people out of the fire situation and structure immediately to prevent loss of life, however without good visibility one cannot see to get to a fire escape, stairway or exit. Hurricane Preparedness If you are about to get hit by a Hurricane are you prepared? Do you have enough plywood to board up your windows? Often the local lumber companies will be sold out. In fact if you wait till the last minute Home Depot will be out too. Do you own a portable generator? No? Get one. Do you have enough fuel to keep it powered up? Most generators can use up to 1.5 gallons per hour and thus you need spare fuel tanks as well? If you wait too long the gas stations will be closed and after the Hurricane the power may not be turned back on for up to two-weeks depending on the damage. If you are talking about a direct hit Category III or IV it is entirely possible that it will be at least that long. Alarm Systems & Automobile Tires? What do alarm systems and automobile tires have in common? This may sound like a strange question to the untrained ear, but lend me yours and I will make sense of it. Emergency Telephone Numbers Emergency is a situation that poses an instant threat to human life or possessions though this description may be different in some areas. Deliberate bogus reports of an emergency are usually prosecuted as an offense. One should call for help any time there is a danger for life or public order. The emergency telephone number is a special case in the country's telephone number sketch. Security Alarm System Motion Detectors Passive Infrared Motion Detectors- These detectors are also known as PIR detectors. The technology they utilize is "passive infrared". The device is mounted on a wall or in the corner of a room. It sends invisible fingers out into the covered area in several layers. The top layer goes the furthest and averages about 60 feet straight ahead and 35 feet on the sides. Securing Home Water Supplies; Conservation of Water Planning Generally when it rains the water runs off the house and yards into the gutter and into pipes or storm drains which feed it into the river, stream or ocean. This conventional approach is problematic in that many of the countries regions are in severe drought. As we expand our population base we will see issues where the growth and water usage far exceed the regional annual rainfalls. This will indeed over tax the water supplies and cause issues with exacerbated droughts and lengthy recoveries. Eventually if kept unchecked we will be in perennial drought in most of our nation. Tips for Keeping Your Home Invasion Free Home invasion formerly known as burglary is the type of crime that you can do something to prevent. Home invasion falls into two categories burglary and robbery. In my book "Crime Awareness 101" I discuss the differences of both and what you can do. In this article I am going to address preventative steps to protect your home from being unlawfully entered. What is home invasion? Home invasion is where someone enters a dwelling with the intent to commit a felony, larceny (theft), or assault. In most cases these criminals look for easy opportunities or in other words look for the path of least resistance. In fact it is stated that statistically a home invasion criminal will not at the most spend more then two minutes attempting to break into a home. By understanding this, your best defense is to create a path of great resistance. Here some suggestions to securing your home. Home Security After An Earthquake After an Earthquake you need to do an immediate damage assessment. First go turn off the gas if you smell anything, a leaky gas line could explode and take out your entire home and your cats nine lives. Look for cracks in the slab or any areas where the house carpet is lifted up. Then walk around the exterior of the house, what do you see? Do you see downed fences, retaining walls, support structures holding up the garage at weird angles or any areas where your house was knocked off its foundation? Look also for water pipes which have been broken, if so shut off the main water line coming into the house. If there is extensive damage then that means the other neighbors have also and the entire area. Turn Your Home Into A Fortress The best way to turn your home into a fortress is to carefully and strategically consider all your options. First you need to make a layout of your property and look at an aerial diagram of your home. Then you will need an aerial of the neighborhood, you can go to Google maps for this. Aerials pictures can provide you with possible escape routes of burglars. Drainage ditches, side roads, school playgrounds and wooded areas. You can also get an idea of every possible way the burglars might try to park a moving van without being seen or without being noticed. Often burglars look for areas where they can park a van or pick-up undetected for hours while they load up your prize possessions. Handling Weather Emergencies: Part 2; Home Security, Evacuation, and Emergency Kits Introduction Avoiding Pickpockets Every year, thousands of senior citizens fall prey to the quick and clever tactics of pickpockets and thieves. What may take thieves a moment to "lift" from your pockets (passports, credit cards, and airline tickets) may take weeks to replace. It is difficult to recognize these changeling thieves sometimes the well dressed businessman standing next to you who just dropped some coins, at other times the "friendly" group of young children with newspapers approaching you in a city subway. A thief may be hard to recognize, but their time tested tactics are not. When traveling or in your home area you can prevent the majority of common thefts by arming themselves with the knowledge of typical scams, following some basic travel safety tips. Alarm System: Contacts (Window & Door Switches) Alarm Contacts- Contact switches are magnetic switches used to protect doors and windows for the most part. There are three main styles that are used by most alarm companies. They are recessed contacts, surface mount contacts and roller-ball contacts. Kevlar Sheets for Your Home Walls Home security is more important today than ever. You may have even considered Kevlar Sheets for your home or car. They are available and there are some companies who specialize in these things. The military uses them in Humvees and other vehicles. In the Vietnam War the spotter planes and helicopter pilots would put bullet-proof vests on the floor boards since the AK-47 rounds would come up thru the aluminum and kill pilots. Without getting too dramatic you might wish to employ the same strategy in your home. Neighborhood Mobile Watch Patrol Have you found yourself disgusted with the crime lately. You know much of it is gang and drug related yet cannot understand how it has infiltrated your quiet town or how it has become such a menus in your city? Have you recently been a victim of a crime, vandalism or petty theft. Have you just about had enough of this? There is something you can do and it won't cost you a dime to do it. Start a Neighborhood Mobile Watch Patrol in your area today. Where Does Safety & Security Begin? Security Expert Explains Personal safety begins with you. It is widely accepted that a wide-ranging personal safety strategy must incorporate prevention, deterrence and defiance. Someone Spying? Someone Spying? So are the Teddy Bear and the Potted Plant Home Security ? Defend Your Home and Possessions Against Intruders! With all of the emphasis in the past few years on Homeland Security, many people have overlooked the importance of home security. While it might not make the first story on the news, when your house is burgled, safeguarding your home soon becomes the most important issue in your world. How to Use a Fire Extinguisher Millions of people everyday rely on fire extinguishers to put out minor fires which start in the home. Fire extinguishers contain a powder which is known to instantly put out a fire and prevent it from spreading any further. In 2004, fire extinguishers saved over 25 lives in the United States and prevented over 1,500 injuries. Fire departments all over the world encourage home owners to have at least one fire extinguisher in the home at all times. That said, studies show that approximately 80% of homeowners do have at least one in their home, but the question is do they know how to use it? Who Abducted the Missing Child? What is going on with these people who feel they can walk onto your property or in front of your home and abduct your child? If those parents had installed a hidden camera in their home, the police could use the recordings from the camera and have a quick lead to find the child and return them safely. Being prepared for the unthinkable act of your child being abducted by installing hidden cameras is much better than wishing later you had installed cameras!
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