Medical Alerts and Personal Security Devices – Are They Really Worth the Money?
Do you, or a loved one, live alone or have medical needs? Senior citizens are at risk because often they live alone.
Medical alarm devices have given seniors the freedom and ability to live independently where they are most comfortable – in their own homes. Medical alarm and monitoring devices not only offer you peace of mind, but save lives.
Sometimes being aware of your surroundings and medical needs just isn’t enough in today’s world. Everyday people might face danger at jobs and schools. Medical emergencies and threatening encounters happen while traveling, shopping, jogging, walking, and even relaxing in our own homes.
Attackers seek targets who are vulnerable, and perhaps, reside alone. Law enforcement recommends that “Making Noise” helps to deter the attacker. But, elderly people, often, are unable to shout loudly, or physically defend themselves.
TIPS TO KNOW WHEN CHOOSING A MEDICAL AND SECURITY DEVICE.
1. Be wary of companies requiring per-payment. Some advertise no long-term contracts, but require a 3-month minimum service period. Always demand to know your obligations.
2. Low pricing should not be your only criteria for selecting a company or product. Don’t pay over-priced monthly fees just because you ‘think’ you recognize the product name, or because a celebrity is endorsing the product.
3. Insist on a 30-day money back trial period. This will give you the opportunity to try the system without monetary obligation.
4. Use a company that monitors its own system! Only companies that monitor their own system can review emergency calls on a daily basis, to achieve critical self-evaluations.
5. Ask about the training process for operators. When every second matters, you need qualified staff.
6. Ask if the company has 24/7 monitoring service. Unfortunately, many alert providers have limited customer service hours!
7. How long have they been in business? Experience and longevity are extremely important, after all, it is emergency assistance for you is dependent upon their service.
8. Does the system include repair and maintenance?
9. Does the system self-test weekly? Checks to verify that your system is connected and functioning is very important.
10. Does the alert provider offer Senior Discounts?
An alert system is like having a friend with you at all times. All you need to do is talk and listen. If you can’t speak or respond to the operator, emergency medical or police personnel will be dispatched to assist you. In the meantime, the operator will keep talking to you so you know they haven’t closed the connection.
Personal alarms are lightweight and can be worn as wristbands, pendants, and belt clips. But, best of all, they work!
Personal medical and security alarms offer a good way to protect yourself and your loved ones. Numerous types of devices are available for personal protection, such as, key chain and strobe alarms, whistles, mace and pepper spray, and of course, the cell phone.
But, what if you don’t have your key chain, whistle, mace or cell phone within reach? Is the attacker going to wait until you get your alarm or make a call to 911? Of course not! At times like these, wearable alert alarms provides constant assurance that you are never alone, and medical or emergency assistance is available and accessible.
Celebrities – Privacy Vs. Publicity
Celebrities. Don’t we just love them? We are a world obsessed with famous people. When we see one of our favorite actors hosting an awards show, something we normally wouldn’t even think of wasting time viewing, we sit glued to our TV hanging on their every word and action, especially if we’re watching a living legend. It’s a moment we’ll talk about for years to come, especially if we happened to be in the audience and got to see our hero live. Talk about being able to die happy.
On a recent episode of Boston Legal we saw a celebrity shoot a reporter who was about to take a photo of her because he jumped out from behind a garbage can and she was startled and thought he had a gun. She claims she shot in self defense. The question was, would the jury buy it? The prosecutor’s case was that it’s okay for the celebrity to get all the perks of being able to go into a fancy restaurant and be seated even without a reservation, among other things, but then they want to be a big star and have their privacy too. The defense made the case of other celebrities being assaulted, some killed even. He brought up John Lennon’s murder as an example. His argument was that even celebrities have a right to some privacy.
We’re not going to try to answer the question of who’s right and who’s wrong. The jury decided in favor of the celebrity. But that’s just TV. We know that real life can be quite different. The sad truth is, celebrities are not like other people. They are constantly in the public eye, either in movies, TV, theater, radio, or whatever specialty they are involved in. Many of us would argue that they have no problem being paid $1 million for one TV episode, but try taking one lousy photo of them and they go crazy. Others would say that they are entitled to the same privacy as you or I, even though they may have a job that puts them in the public eye. After all, if you’re a carpenter, nobody is following you around town trying to take your photo every five minutes.
So, what’s the answer? Maybe laws need to be made. This is not suggesting that the laws be in favor of the celebrity or against. But some kind of law governing what are reasonable and unreasonable actions in regard to how much “space” a celebrity should be given when not “working”. Should they be allowed to be approached in a supermarket when doing their weekly food shopping? Or should their be laws stating that they can only be approached 15 minutes before or after coming off the “set” where they work, whether it be a TV station, radio station or movie set?
Most likely laws like this will never be enacted or even if they are, enforced. That is just the way it is. It has been like this since the beginning of celebrity status. It has killed many in the past and most likely will end up killing many more before this madness is over.
New Home Security Technologies
New Technologies for Home Security
Technology for home security is constantly evolving. While there are still the traditional methods to include smoke alarms, home security systems, and others, there are also many new things on the market. The new technologies are exciting while giving homeowners better peace of mind.
Fingerprint Door Locks: Today, fingerprint door locks are one of the newest forms of technology, which can be used on front, back, or garage doors. Different from coded devices where a person would enter a special code, the fingerprint door lock actually recognizes a person’s unique fingerprint.
This means that anyone in the household, as well as friends, can have the fingerprint encoded and then any time they need to enter the home, they would place the finger onto the door lock, which would read the print and allow access. Anyone without the fingerprint in the system would never be able to get inside the home.
There are many brands for fingerprint door locks but all work off much the same concept. In fact, if the homeowner has remodeling going on in the home or has someone house sitting, the person could be provided with temporary access and then when no longer allowed inside, the fingerprint would be removed from the system, easily and quickly.
Electronic Pet Doors: Many homeowners have dogs and cats that could benefit from a pet door but the traditional style also provides access to the interior of the home for intruders. However, with electronic pet doors, the animal would wear a collar with a small device attached, one that would work with the door system to provide easy in and out access. With the electronic pet door, a person or even animal without the attached device would not get in.
Cameras: New technologies for home security are also seen in the form of miniature cameras, which are wireless and therefore, can be placed outside or inside as a means of protection. With this system, the homeowner could be on vacation and still have the ability to see goings on at the home from a laptop computer, one that has special software installed. If someone were breaking in, the homeowner would then call 911 and law enforcement would be able to catch the intruder in the act.
Typically, a homeowner will place anywhere from two to six cameras in and outside of the premises. All information received is in real time and live. In addition, the homeowner would be able to view multiple locations around the home and even have the ability to maneuver the cameras in different directions. These cameras are incredible, many designed with both day and nighttime lighting features. Best of all, the installation for home security cameras, especially the wireless type, is easy.
Personal Emergency Response: Another technology for home security that people overlook is the personal emergency response system. With this, an elderly person or perhaps someone with a disability that became ill or took a bad fall could call for help when no one else is at home. Obviously, this type of home security allows people to live more independently, which is why this system is growing in popularity specific to the older generation.