What does Home Security Have to do with Healthcare?

By Annie Blanco


GE says their motion sensors used for home security to catch a thief have been incorporated into an innovative, intelligent wireless medical sensing platform. The new platform announced and created by GE Global Research, could dramatically improve neonatal and home patient monitoring.

Here’s how the platform was created - GE researchers developed sophisticated signal processing algorithms for a wireless sensor that can classify different types of motion and closely monitor a person's breathing and heart rate. This type of sensor could have advantages in monitoring premature babies in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Premature infants have very sensitive and fragile skin, which can make it difficult to directly attach sensors to them. GE's new sensor could wirelessly monitor an infant's movements, including breathing and heart rate.
Similarly, this sensor could be installed in a home for elder care or other outpatient monitoring.

Jeffrey Ashe, an electrical engineer at GE Global Research said, “We have essentially built a more sophisticated brain for an existing GE sensor that can tell whether someone is moving or motionless and whether an individual is breathing or not breathing. One of the most promising applications of this new technology could be in neonatal infant health monitoring. We have seen considerable interest from the medical community in having this type of wireless sensing capability to monitor the well-being of infants under intensive care.”

Ashe, added, similar to a home security medical alert system, “GE’s sensing technology could enable new applications in elder and outpatient care as well by enabling remote monitoring of the health and well-being of a patient and loved one.”

Do Panic Rooms Provide Home Security?

By starcarat

There are many things you can do in order to make your home less attractive to intruders. The truth remains however, that there are times when nothing you do will affect whether or not your home will be invaded. It could merely be a moment of chance and your home happened to be in the wrong place on the wrong night of the week. In moments like these, it often doesn't matter whether anyone is home or not. The intruders are going to take what they want and do not care who is harmed in the process.

In larger homes that have a lot of ground to cover and many amenities to tempt invaders one increasingly common safeguard is the installation of what is known as a panic room. These rooms are designed as a safe retreat within the home in which the family can meet and be protected from the intruders until help arrives. The idea of a panic room, while relatively new to the average household has been a common theme for homes of the wealthy and famous for quite a while. We are seeing more and more 'normal' homes in America that have these rooms installed however in recent years and the primary reason is the safeguarding of family members in a 'worst case scenario'.

Unlike the recent movie "Panic Room" starring Jodie Foster, the average home panic room isn't designed to hold off intruders for an indefinite amount of time but merely to delay them from harming the family until help could arrive. Phones are a necessity in these rooms or at the very least a cell phone that has a signal and can place outgoing calls is a necessity. Most panic rooms are very basic and not meant to hold a large number of people for more than a small amount of time. They are essentially safes that are built inside the home that can hold people (as well as some valuables though the purpose of the protection of life rather than property).

For those who are handy or in the process of designing their own homes, it is quite possible to incorporate a safe room within your home if you are willing to sacrifice some space in order to do so. The average low-tech version of a panic room does not require copious amounts of money or technical knowledge. You are not creating a fortress merely a safe place within your home where your family can hide in the event of an emergency intrusion.

Plans can be found online for those who can do the work of building a panic room themselves and should be closely followed. It is amazing the amount of protection and security that a room such as this can provide for your family. The peace of mind alone is well worth the investment in many cases.

If you incorporate a panic room into your home security plans then you should also take the time to make sure that it is stocked with essentials. Those essentials would be some sort of seating or cushioning, water, non-perishable snacks in case you need to be in the panic room for quite a while, and blankets. You should also make sure that a cell phone makes into the room along with family members.

Try to escape the home if possible. If escape is out of the question your panic room should be a safe alternative for the family. Make sure whenever possible that police are called immediately as they will do more to deter or limit the amount of time invaders are willing to spend within the walls of your home. Remember to try to keep your calm despite the need to panic. The cooler you keep your mind in this situation the more likely you are to make it through the moment safely and, more importantly, keep your family safe.

Home Security Advice

When the topic of home security springs to mind, most people seem to think of burglar alarms and little to nothing else. Alarms can be a great way to protect your home, although they are only a small part of what makes up an effective home security system. Burglar alarms are a key to protecting your home – although there are other things you’ll need as well.

Believe it or not, the windows are actually the key to home security. Homes that have poor constructed windows tend to get broken into a lot more than homes with secure and sturdy windows. When you are dealing with your windows, you should make sure that you have tough glass and locks that fit to the windows. When you are away from home, you should always make sure that your windows are locked. Even though some windows may be hard to reach, you should always lock them. Burglars make a living out of stealing – and they will normally find a way in if they see the opening.

Along with the windows, doors are also known to be a weakness of security around the home. Doors should always be strong and sturdy, complete with tough locks that aren’t easy to force open. If you have a spare key, you should be careful where you leave it. Losing your keys can also make you a target, especially if you have anything on your key ring that reveals your home address.

To better protect their homes, most people choose to invest in a home surveillance system. These systems are great for monitoring the home, as they can record video and keep it stored for you to view later. If you travel a lot, a home surveillance system can be an ideal way to keep a check on your home while you’re away.

Guard dogs are also common with home security as well. A guard dog can protect your home from burglars, thieves, and other types of trouble. Guard dogs can be very handy to have around, as most dogs are more than capable of scaring away trouble with their bark. The only downside to guard dogs is the fact that you’ll need to train them and ensure that they always have food and water.

Last, but certainly not least are burglar alarms. Burglar alarms can be effective to an extent, although they are primarily good for scaring thieves away. If you put an alarm in a visible location from the outside of the home, most burglars won’t even attempt to enter your home. Even though burglar alarms are great for scaring off thieves – you’ll still need to have other areas of your home safe and secure as well to get the most of your home security.

Houston Home Security Systems Are a Valuable Crime Fighting Tool

Installation of Alarm Systems Minimizes Risk and Loss

HOUSTON, TX - The experts at Safeguard Home Security know the importance of installing Houston home security to protect both people and possessions.

As a proud member of the National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association (NBFAA), the Houston alarm monitoring company received the news of a comprehensive study of five years of statistics by researchers at the Rutgers University School of Criminal Justice (SCJ) in Newark, New Jersey. Their research found that residential burglar alarm systems decrease crime. While other studies have concluded that most burglars avoid alarm systems, this is the first study to focus on alarm systems while scientifically ruling out other factors that could have impacted the crime rate.

The study noted that innovations in technology have made home security systems more dependable. Modern electronic sensors now include ultrasonic, infrared and microwave devices which were formerly available only in more sophisticated commercial and industrial applications. Computers, printed circuits, digital communicators, and microprocessors have refined monitoring and signaling technology of home security systems to middle-class homeowners.

"For the past thirty years, it has been our goal at Safeguard Home Security to protect homeowners and families from fire and burglary," said John McCreary, the firm's co-owner. "In this current economy, it is even more important to safeguard property and prevent against loss. We will work with each individual to find the right solution at the most affordable cost."

At Safeguard Home Security a network of experienced and licensed professionals assist with system design, installation and alarm system monitoring in Houston areas. As authorized dealers for Honeywell and Digital Security Controls, Safeguard Home Security has access to every brand of burglary and fire protection system, backed up with immediate response to emergencies and professional customer service.

About Safeguard Home Security

Safeguard Home Security has been serving the homeowners and the business community in the Greater Houston area for the past three decades. Owners John McCreary and Rusty Jones oversee a professional team who design, install and service home security and alarm systems and ensure the fastest response times in the event of a fire, burglary or medical emergency.

Down economy = more crime = home security needs

By MIKE McKIBBIN
Citizen Telegram
Rifle, Colorado
384-9170, mmckibbin@citizentelegram.com


RIFLE, COLO. - Two burglaries of Rifle homes that involved the theft of firearms on the same day are under investigation for a possible connection.

And Police Chief Daryl Meisner hopes it doesn’t indicate the start of an upsurge in such crimes due to the downturn in the local and national economy.

Home and business owners may want to take a look at adding a security system, if they are concerned they could be the victims of similar crimes.

The depressed economy hasn’t led to a noticeable increase in business for Acme Alarm Co. of Rifle, said project coordinator George Mead.

“We are seeing more thefts, so I’m sure business will go up when more people get serious,” he added.

Acme provides security systems and closed-circuit TV for homes and businesses, Mead said. Some of their systems have caught thieves and vandals on tape, he said.

Meisner said the burglaries and theft incidents occurred on Monday, Feb. 9, one in the 1500 block of Railroad Avenue and the other in the 600 block of Ute Avenue. A number of firearms were stolen from each home and a van was also stolen from the Ute Avenue home, he said. The van was recovered in West Glenwood Springs the next day, but the firearms were not inside it, Meisner added.

“We sure don’t want to see this type of behavior continue, so we hope we can catch whoever did this,” he said.

Anyone with information can remain anonymous and receive a monetary reward if an arrest and conviction results from the information by calling Crimestoppers of Garfield County, 328-7007 or 1-800-972-8477.

Mead said some wireless systems start at less than $1,000, depending on the number of windows, doors and lights included.

Acme Alarm will look at a home or business access, dark areas and other factors to determine what type of system to recommend.

“Number one is to keep things lit,” Mead said. “If you have light, they can’t hide or break in without a chance of someone seeing them.”

Many storage units are not well lit, so are often targeted for break-ins and thefts, Mead added.

When a system is installed, Mead said it’s a good idea to have it tied in to a phone system “So if you’re not home, the police will still be called.”

Some systems cost just $25-$30 a month, Mead added. Smoke detectors are often installed with the systems, too.

“When you think that one computer system or big-screen TV could be stolen, that more than pays for a pretty inexpensive alarm system,” he said.

Some insurance companies give “a pretty good break” on home insurance rates if security systems are installed, Mead noted.

Natural gas companies that now don’t have the same number of contracted employees can benefit from things liked closed-circuit TV, Mead said.

“They have big lots out there, so it’s a good idea to have some cameras” to help prevent vandalism and theft, he added.

Along with adding a security system, Meisner said the best advice is to make sure doors are locked and keys are not left in automobiles.

“I think each of us has to consider what you can afford to lose,” Meisner said. “Then take a look at what you can afford as far as security.”

While Meisner said Rifle is not “under siege” by criminals, “a little prevention goes a long way.”