This article is in response to safety concerns that came up as a commentary on one of my HubPages.
The gentleman had safety concerns while considering online business opportunities and the whole issue of safety and security came up for me as a whole.
Certainly there comes a time in everyone's life when they begin to question their safety whether it be online of offline, real or imaginary threat, those fears and uncertainties for personal safety are founded in past experiences.
Most likely it may have been triggered by something witnessed first-hand, or maybe a current event on local news.
With enough 'doom and gloom' going around these days, I would just as soon switch off the TV for awhile until we find the foothold for an uptrend direction to our economy.
And the media knows this too when they weave their magic using mass control.
If you'll notice, Hollywood tends to cater to the general gloom by following a 'mass psychological mindframe' to pick its latest subject matter; Hence, as Wallstreet goes 'bearish' so do the storylines on the big screens.
You want Pollyanna? Wait for a 'bull run' or choose your channels carefully and catch a Disney flick (that's what I do)! In fact, last week I picked up a copy of Madagascar and had great fun!! Nevertheless whatever your triggers they will shock your system, causing you to stop and re-examine your life.
Suddenly you may begin feeling a bit more vulnerable than you had ever felt before.
This is not a feeling any of us likes or appreciates.
It invokes fear and alerts us to the dangers in our environment.
Now, this is not exactly a bad thing mind you.
If you ask me, it's smart pre-planning.
We need to be grounded in the knowledge that we're not impenetrable to harm and death as knowing this encourages us to take precautions and be wary of our everyday surroundings.
All of a sudden, that security equipment that we once thought to be ridiculous and over-the-top starts looking more necessary.
All of a sudden, those late night stops at the gas stations or ATM's don't look like such nifty timesavers even if it means we'll have to get up a little earlier to get things done in the morning, right? You won't see me shying away from self-defense, personal protection devices, or home security equipment.
As a home owner and head of household to my aging parents, I have a BIG job to do.
And it's the most important job of my life.
It's protecting the ones I hold dearest and making certain that they're safe.
Naturally this may involve some standard security equipment for the home.
Although I do realize that I can only advise and precaution my family members for the harsh exterior world, I can protect them while they're inside the home.
This involves heavy dead bolts on each door, window alarms for every window, Plexiglas on the ground floor and for the most pre-cautious of us, security cameras on all corners of a home's exterior (although I believe that motion-triggered outdoor lighting will suffice).
You can even take this process a step further with infrared cameras (but what the heck are YOU hiding, eh?).
This may allows you to keep an eye on what's outdoors even at night-time.
Most people tend to believe that the nighttime is their most vulnerable time.
When all is dark and the cloak of night provides the criminals a space to lurk in...
I say good motion-sensor lighting, if they approach my home I can spot them coming.
If you are really spooked about your neighborhood you might even consider installing a survey alarm which basically surveys the lawn and chimes if someone is approaching.
These aren't that expensive.
In the end, it's really all up to you.
For me, AES Systems takes care of my home and my office and I am perfectly fine with that.
You must ask yourself what kind of home security equipment you prefer and what you're willing to pay for it.
If you're not into the more pricey services such as Brinks and AES, then at the very least look into simple measures like secure dead bolts and window alarms.
These will keep unwanted intruders out of your humble abode.