Self Defense Products Blog

For the third time in month, a person was attacked in the Lake Phalen area of St. Paul. This time, it was a 23 year old woman jogger, according a story on KARE-11 TV.

It’s sad that some person or persons are intent on targeting people in this area and making them feel vulnerable. Most of these cases have not involved robbery attempts, just criminal assault. I don’t know whether these criminals are frustrated about the economy and have turned to taking their frustrations out on innocent victims, but I do know that is has to stop!

I would love to see one of these criminals run into someone carrying pepper spray or a Taser and getting a taste of their own medicine.

I just saw this story on the local news tonight about a man who had stolen a car. This thief was so proud of himself that he actually called 911 and reported that he had stolen a car and, since he was much smarter than the police, they would never catch him!

Well, he was wrong. The police arrived at his residence the next day and arrested him. You see, the police have this new fangled device called “caller ID”. It lets them see exactly who is calling them and provides the callers phone number, etc. This feature is very useful for determining who called them in case the caller gets disconnected at some point during the phone call. People that need help, or are reporting to authorities that someone else needs help, can get disconnected for various reasons like passing out, trying to escape a dangerous situation like a criminal chasing them, etc.

It turns out that caller ID also comes in real handy when the authorites are trying to locate a REALLY STUPID CRIMINAL!

Maybe it’s just me, but it sure seems like there is a lot more crime these days. I think that when times get tough, Americans naturally do whatever they can to survive. Most of us with an education and some work experience have options regarding what type of work we will accept even in the current dismal state of the economy.

If you’re young and stupid, you probably don’t have many (or any) sources of income to turn to. Unfortunetly, it seems like there are more people turning to crime these days as a way to support themselves. The crime industry is an equal idiot employment opportunity. There are no resumes needed, no job interviews to go on, no sending your resume off into some black box and just praying that SOMEONE will eventually invite you to meet for an interview.

Can you imagine some armed robber holding up a gas station and the clerk behind the window asking the robber “Is this your first robbery attempt? Because you act like you don’t have much experience at this sort of thing. How many robbery’s have you successfully pulled off in the past? Have you actually ever shot a person? I’m sorry, but I really don’t think you’re qualified to pull off this robbery. I think it’s best if you just leave because we would like to pursue some other, more qualifed robbers. If you will just leave a business card, we’ll add your information to our database of other criminals and follow up with you if we have a need for your services within the next 12 months.”

http://www.LaneSelfDefense.com/wildfire.htm

I just registered my new TASER C2 with TASER International and was thinking I made a pretty good investment in the safety of myself and my family. Let me explain how valuable this device is, in case you’re not familiar the TASER C2.

The TASER C2 is a self-defense electronic control device Manufactured by TASER International, the same company that manufactures TASERs used by Law Enforcement personnel all over the world. The TASER C2 is just as effective as the TASER used by Law Enforcement, plus it has some smart additional features which make it perfect for any ordinary citizen to use.

The TASER C2 uses a replaceable cartridge containing compressed nitrogen to deploy to the small probes that are attached to the TASER C2 by insulated conductive wires with a maximum length of 15 feet. The TASER C2 transmits electrical pulses along the wires and into the body of affecting the sensory and motor functions of the peripheral nervous system. The energy can penetrate up to 2 inches of clothing, or 1 inch per probe.

How does a TASER work?
The human nervous system communicates with simple electrical impulses. The command center (brain and spinal cord) processes information and makes decisions. The peripheral nervous system includes the sensory and motor nerves. The sensory nerves carry information from the body to the brain (temperature, touch, etc.) the motor nerves carry commands from the brain to the muscles to control movement and can be involuntary in response to the sensory information. An example would be involuntary muscle reaction to pull the hand away from a hot object.

TASER technology uses similar electrical pulses to costs stimulation that affects the century and motor nerves. No muscular incapacitation (NMI) occurs when a device is able to cause involuntary stimulation of both the sensory nerves and the motor nerves. It is not dependent on pain and is effective on subjects with a high level of pain tolerance.

Previous generations of stun guns could primarily affect the Senator nerves only, resulting in pain compliance. A person with a very high tolerance pain (e.g., a drug abuser or a trained, focused fighter) might be able to fight through the pain of a traditional stun gun.

Electricity must be able to flow between the probes of the electrodes.

Electricity generally follows the path of least resistance between the probes. The greater the spread between the probes on the target, generally the greater the NMI effectiveness.

Electricity will generally not pass to others in contact with the subject unless contact is made directly between or on the probes.

Electricity can arc through clothing.

Exposure to water will not cause electrocution to increase the power to the subject (electrical charge is fixed inside the TASER device, and will not increase significantly even with environmental changes).

TASER technology uses similar electrical pulses to cause stimulation that affects the sensory and motor nerves. Neromuscular Incapacitation (NMI) occurs when a device is able to cause an involuntary stimulation of both the sensory nerves and the motor nerves. It is not dependent on pain and is effective on subjects of the high level of pain tolerance.

SPECIAL FEATURES TO PREVENT MISUSE
Every time a TASER C2 cartridge is deployed, at least 24 small, confetti -like AFID tags are ejected. Each AFID is printed with the serial number of the cartridge deployed, allowing law enforcement agencies to determine the registered owner of the cartridge and track citizen use if ever used in a criminal act.

You are required to complete a criminal background check in order to receive a unique code that will be used to activate your TASER C2. This means that when a TASER C2 has been fired, it will be much easier for the police to track down the registered owner of the device.

The TASER C2, with laser guided targeting, costs $350. It costs another $10 to register your unit with TASER. This is a one-time fee.

The TASER C2 is certainly not the cheapest self defense device available, but I feel this is the most effective, non-lethal self defense device currently on the market and well worth the investment in the safety of myself and my family.

http://www.laneselfdefense.com/c2taser.htm

Stay safe to stay alive,

Steve Lane
Self Defense & Surveillance Shop
http://www.LaneSelfDefense.com
http://www.LaneSurveillance.com

Another week, another disappointing stock market. But, cheer up! I think some long overdue change is on it’s way. And remember, there’s more to life than just money. To paraphrase Abraham Lincoln, “This too, shall pass.”

We don’t have to look too far to see the signs of outrageous greed that ran rampant during the last stock market bull cycle. Here are just some of the highlights from the last week of media reports that exhibit the excessive greediness of corporate executives:

• The Trustee in the Bernard Madoff bankruptcy case reported that the financier hadn’t bought any securities for the past 13 years!

• The SEC filed fraud charges against Texas billionaire Allen Stanford and two other executives of Stanford Group of selling $8 billion in high-yield certificates of deposit with impossibly high interest rates in a worldwide scheme.

• GM CEO Rick Wagoner was quoted at a press conference stating: “We have to restructure…so we can be viable at a sales level that is dramatically lower than what we ever anticipated.” Huh? You mean GM Executives never considered what would happen if oil prices increased from historically low levels and what impact that would have on their dominant market share position and sales of gas guzzling SUV’s and trucks? Were they too busy working on their golf game to bother with such small details?

• Speaking of General Motors, GM and Chrysler told the U.S. Congress that they could need $21.6 billion more in aid to keep them going. GM said it could need $100 billion in financing if it filed for bankruptcy, and CEO Rick Wagner said bankruptcy would be “risky” and would only be used as a last resort. I wonder what Wagner really means when he says that a GM bankruptcy would be “risky”? Risky for him, personally, and his future salary and earnings prospect perhaps?

• UBS agreed to pay $780 million and identify some American clients with undeclared bank accounts, to settle a tax case and avert criminal charges. But Switzerland’s finance minister vowed that the country’s bank secrecy would be maintained.

But, as Bob Dylan would say, “The times, they are a changing.” Yes, the Federal Goverment is throwing an awful lot of money at our financial markets to try and stop the decline in our financial markets and restore some resembelance of confidence again. As inflationary as the long-term effects of this loose money policy will be, they really don’t have a choice if they have any hope of preventing the global economy from falling into a long, deep and severe depression.

Critics of President Obama’s new housing rescue plan say they don’t want to pay for their neighbor’s mortgage in the form of higher taxes. Well, I don’t think anyone is happy about paying higher taxes, but what choice do we really have? The economy is messed up, big time. We can’t blame President Obama for this because things were already messed up by the time he was elected into office. He could complain about the crappy job that he inherited from the outgoing administration, but he’s not. He’s doing everything that he can to try and stop the bleeding and prevent any further damage from occuring.

Now, to get back to the headline of this long-winded blog post, It was clear from the November 2008 U.S. Presidential results that Americans wanted change. Not just a little tweak, but a major change. Well, change IS coming. It has to, or else we are all dead. Not just the US economy, but the global economy. How can you imagine that a person as insane as Adolph Hitler became so powerful? Germany was weak from the last major recession and people were starving and desperate for change. These people were so desperate that they decided that while Hitler had some radical ideas, nothing else had worked so far. They HAD to DO SOMETHING! So they put this guy named Hitler with some crazy ideas into power to see if that might fix things. And the rest is history, as they say.

Please don’t misunderstand and think that I’m comparing President Obama to Adolph Hitler, because that is NOT WHAT I’M DOING. American’s are smart enough to learn from the past mistakes of others and I think Obama is exactly what America needs right now to get us out of this financial mess without creating more problems down the road.

Just to be safe, you might want to pick up a C2 TASER in case their’s an uprising in your neigborhood…

www.LaneSelfDefense.com/c2taser.htm

A Taser is simply a less lethal alternative to a hand gun. Afterall, you just want to stop your neighbor from attacking you and stealing your stuff. You don’t want to actually KILL HIM, right?

Stay safe to stay alive,

Steve Lane

Self Defense & Surveillance Shop

http://www.LaneSelfDefense.com

http://www.LaneSurveillance.com

When you think of self defense products you typically think about pepper spray, stun guns or personal security alarms. However, there is another effective form of self defense that is not usually considered and that is a safety light.

How Safety Lights May Help

Safety lights are designed to light up the way when you are out walking on a dark night. Not only do they help you to see better, but they also enable you to draw attention to yourself. This may seem like a bad idea; after all, who wants to draw attention to themselves at night when there are potential attackers out there? Surely the attacker will see you and find it easier to attack you? Well surprisingly drawing attention to yourself does not increase the risk of you being attacked, instead it prevents it.
By drawing attention to yourself with a safety light it enables other people to see you. So if you are attacked there is a better chance that somebody will witness what is happening. Help can then be called and your attacker will be scared off. So that is one way in which a safety light can protect you.

By lighting up the way a safety light will also help you to see potential attackers. Often when you are walking late at night it is difficult to see what is in front of you. That is why so many people are attacked because their attacker can see them, but they did not see their attacker until it was too late. By seeing where you are going you will be able to assess the possible risks ahead and that can potentially stop you from being attacked.

Choosing a Good Safety Light

There are different lights that you can purchase but typically the best types to get are the LED versions. You can also choose between flashing lights and simple constant lights. If you use a flashing light that does help to draw attention to you when you are being attacked. A constant light is better to help you to see where you are going. For best results it would be a good idea to purchase a LED light that has the ability to flash but which also has a constant light on it too.

If you want a light which is convenient to carry then you should choose the Cell Phone flash light. This is designed to peel and stick to your cell phone and it can easily be operated whenever it is needed. It lasts for up to 6,000 hours and you can use it literally everywhere. It is small enough to easily carry around and use outside and generally it is one of the best lights available.

If you just want the simplest of safety lights then the LED light is what you need. It comes with seven different flashing patterns and you can choose from three different styles. There is a wrist strap, a bicycle light and a belt clip. It has a very powerful light and the seven different flashing functions will help you to signal help if it is needed.

Overall safety lights may not be able to directly stop an attack, but they can help to prevent them. It would be a good idea to carry around another self defense product such as pepper spray if you really want to protect yourself, or even just a personal safety alarm to further draw attention to yourself in the event of an attack. You can even purchase combined safety alarms and lights and that may be the best option for you.

In a perfect world no one has to worry about theft; everyone is always happy; no one ever gets hurt; and you can trust everyone. Unfortunately our world isn’t perfect. Theft prevention is very important to large and small businesses, as well as renters and homeowners.

Recently a local retail store manager said she had busted a nine-year-old child for shoplifting. She brought the issue to the attention of the child’s mother and was shocked at the response. The mother knew what her child was doing. The store manager called the police and handed the issue off to local authorities.

A middle-aged man lived in a very nice, quiet neighborhood and owned a very large black dog. For years, the crime in his neighborhood was nearly nonexistent. Everyone in the neighborhood seemingly looked out for each other. He arrived home from work one evening only to find his garage and storage building had been broken into. The thieves had stolen several power tools and everything else they could get their hands on.

These are only two of millions of stories just like them. Theft is a problem worldwide. Thieves don’t discriminate due to skin color, gender, orientation or religion. They are not centralized to cities or highly populated areas. With the many cost-effective ways to secure your belongings, isn’t it better to take precautions before something happens?

Professionally installed alarm systems are a great start to help protect your home and belongings. On the other hand, professional thieves are trained to get around alarm systems. Some even see an alarm system as a challenge to overcome. Protecting your home and valuables should include more than just an alarm system.

Hidden cameras are a great way to catch thieves. High quality camera footage can capture great pictures and video of thieves as they are stealing your valuables. Hidden cameras come in a wide array of styles. Some don’t even look like a hidden camera at all. Your hidden camera could be virtually any style you choose. For example a hidden camera could be installed on your phone, a radio, a smoke detector or even in a stuffed animal.

For business owners and homeowners alike, cameras and surveillance monitors can save a lot of trouble in finding out who your thieves are. Many large companies, as well as small businesses, have incorporated video surveillance. Some employ security guards to watch the monitors, while others record everything to be played back later in the event of a theft. Wireless monitors are also available for remote surveillance systems.

Hidden cameras or surveillance monitors alone probably aren’t enough, simply because they don’t alert authorities to the crime in action like an alarm system does. A high quality hidden camera or monitor used in conjunction with an alarm system could help prevent or even capture thieves. As the saying goes, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

Stay Safe,

Steve Lane

Self Defense & Surveillance Shop

http://www.laneselfdefense.com

http://www.lanesurveillance.com

Tags: Crime Prevention, Hidden Cameras, hidden security cameras, Hidden surveillance cameras, Home security, Nanny Cameras, Nanny Cams, wireless home security system, wireless surveillance camera system

Nanny cameras basically have one purpose. They are used to keep watch on your child while you are not home with them. A nanny camera is a surveillance device that is hidden out of sight and allows parents to watch caregivers. Many families are opting to have these handy cameras installed in their homes for peace of mind. Some argue that nanny cameras breach the privacy of the caregiver, while others believe that these devices can help save their children from harsh situations. See what you think after learning some of the pros and cons of using a nanny camera.

Pros to Using Nanny Cameras

Nanny cameras come in many shapes and sizes. Wireless cameras are most popular on today’s market, though hard-wired devices are also available. They can be placed in inconspicuous places, such as in a plant, on a bookshelves, and in other small places. They can be kept virtually out of sight. Price ranges of these cameras vary as well. Lower end models typically run anywhere from $80 to $100 and give parents remote computer access. Higher end cameras, priced from $400 to $600, can give live digital images from a remote location.

Spying on someone can seem a bit harsh or uncalled for to some, but many families know that caregivers can treat children cruelly from what they hear on news reports. Having a way to put their minds at ease makes parents more prone to install a nanny camera, especially in today’s society. If any untoward activity is happening in their home, a parent can call for the police right away. That alone makes having a nanny camera installed worth it.

Cons of Using Nanny Cameras

Not all caregivers are totally opposed to being watched on surveillance by parents, as long as they know about it. In fact, some caregivers have said that they would still take a job if they knew they would be watched. Others said they would never consider working for a family if they knew a nanny camera was installed. Providing this information to a person during an interview could actually help parents find the right person for the job. There is a feeling of deception or distrust when finding out about it after the fact. Some parents do not give a second thought to recording a caregiver without their knowledge, while others struggle with this decision before having one installed. You really have to ask yourself what good or bad can come from a caregiver not knowing they are being recorded.

Other Ways a Nanny Camera Could Come in Handy

Nanny cameras are not used just for childcare reasons. People use them to watch their house when cleaning or other service people are there while they are at work or on vacation. Of course, childcare is still the leading reason for purchases.

Other Information You Should Know About Nanny Cameras

Nanny cameras are legal in all 50 states in the U.S., whether they are hidden or not. Recording a caregiver’s speech, however, is not legal in 15 states unless the caregiver gives signed consent. These states include:

California
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Hawaii
Illinois
Louisiana
Maryland
Massachusetts
Montana
Nevada
New Hampshire
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Washington

Nanny cameras are being installed in more and more daycare facilities and allow parents to spot check on their child throughout the day. Some facilities are even offering real-time images that parents can access through the Internet.

The question is not whether or not it is right for a family to install a nanny camera to protect their children. The question is what morals surround parents telling a caregiver about the surveillance device before offering them a job. There is no real right or wrong answer, as many families have different feelings on this subject. You just have to know that you are doing what you know is right in your heart and what is best for your child. If you feel comfortable with your decision, then you have made the right choice.

Stay Safe,

Steve Lane

Self Defense & Surveillance Shop

http://www.laneselfdefense.com

http://www.lanesurveillance.com

Tags: Babysitter cameras, Babysitter safety, Hidden Cameras, Hidden surveillance cameras, Nanny Cameras, Nanny Cams

In the current climate of abuse scandals and general mistrust, it is no surprise that more and more people are turning to surveillance. In no area is this more common than childcare.

You love your children more than anyone else in the world. Why wouldn’t you want to know that they are safe and in good hands? Most parents feel the same way, which is why many are turning to nanny cameras. Parents want to verify that they are paying the right kind of person to keep an eye on their kids.

Several abuse scandals have hit the media about babysitters caught on tape abusing children. One nanny was discovered carrying a child by his leg, another shaking and dropping a child. Another scene showed two infants left unattended on the edge of a couch. Any of these actions can lead to permanent injury or fatalities. The thought of these things happening to a child makes any parent shudder. Nanny cameras can provide assurance that childcare workers are doing their job and presenting a safe environment for children.

A variety of different cameras are priced according to features and how advanced they are. Some allow remote computer access. Other actually broadcast a live feed that can be accessed by cell phone. More elaborate systems allow remote Internet access while simultaneously recording the footage on your home computer’s hard drive. That way the video can be retained as evidence, should anything objectionable occur. These extensive systems offer several cameras that you can place all over your home to allow comprehensive surveillance.

Nanny cameras come in any variety of household devices and even teddy bears. Air purifiers, clock radios, lamps, books, stereo speakers and even DVD players masquerade as normal household items, yet contain a hidden lens. With the variety of items offered now, cameras can be easily hidden all over your home.

When considering what kind of nanny camera you will purchase, consider your needs. Wires can be suspicious if they are coming out of a houseplant. Also decide if you need a wireless transmitter if you want the signal to be accessible outside the home or away from a computer. If you chose a wireless nanny camera, don’t forget the batteries.

Consider the following before bringing a nanny camera into your home. Hidden camera surveillance is legal. However, it is illegal to secretly records speech in several states. Check the laws where you live to make sure you aren’t breaking any. Any evidence collected illegally is dismissed in court. Also, make sure that you aren’t putting your children in jeopardy to “prove” someone is acting poorly by getting them on camera.

Decide whether you will tell your nanny that they are being recorded. Any nanny that would be severely disturbed at the idea would be a person you may want to reconsider hiring. Professional nannies that do their job well and with heart will want to prove their worth. The camera can be a screening device before you even turn it on.

Make sure to take just as much care with whom you hire as your nanny as you do with the camera you purchase. Legal nannies have Social Security numbers and a job history. References are not always enough. Make sure a thorough background check can be done on the person you hire to care for your children. Pay attention to your impression of that person. If you have any doubts that the nanny does not have the absolute best interests of your children at heart, don’t wait for a camera to prove it.

Stay Safe,

Steve Lane

http://www.laneselfdefense.com

http://www.lanesurveillance.com

Tags: Babysitter cameras, Babysitter safety, Child Safety, Crime Prevention, Hidden Cameras, Hidden surveillance cameras, Nanny Cameras, Nanny Cams