Getting Started Coming home to find that you have been robbed of expensive and irreplaceable items is something we hope no one ever has to go through. Unfortunately, burglaries may be more common than you think. According to a list of 2018 crime statistics published by the FBI, a burglary occurs around every 25 seconds in … Read more
As a father of two teenagers, I knew it was important to keep intruders out and ensure that the girls were staying put instead of sneaking out after everyone went to bed. I had spent thousands of dollars on security system contracts and hardware over the years, but halfway through my most recent contract, I … Read more
It’s a sad state of affairs that, most times, the security of a rental property is not on par with an owner-occupied property. The reason is straightforward. The landlord might be more concerned about the property’s security and safety rather than the tenants. It might seem cold-hearted, but that’s the way it usually is. The … Read more
Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) is a set of design principles used to reduce the incidence and fear of crime by manipulating the built environment to create a safer space. Whether residential units, corporate structures, community settings, or commercial places like shopping malls, well-planned buildings almost always rely on the CPTED theory to provide a … Read more
Safety is one of our primary instincts, and living in a town where you know you are not safe means living in a constant state of fear. But exactly how dangerous can a dangerous city be? And what are the most dangerous cities in the US? These are the questions we will try to answer. … Read more
The safety of the area you live or work in should be one of your prime concerns, especially if you are the person in charge. Building security is an important, multifaceted job that extends beyond hiring burly security guards and setting them by the main entrance (although that is also an essential element). Building security … Read more
We all want to live in a safe home, a safe neighborhood, and a safe city. So what exactly makes all these areas safe? How do you define a “safe city”? Usually, a safe city is described as a crime-free or crime-less city. A low crime rate gives citizens relative peace of mind and a … Read more
Did you know that employee theft costs U.S. businesses $50 billion annually? According to a report by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, 75% of workers confessed they had stolen at least once from their workplaces. Although most of us who own businesses like to believe we do a great job screening our employees, the … Read more
‘Waiter found guilty of stealing from the cash registers.’ ‘Restaurant server arrested for misusing customers’ credit card information.’ ‘Deli employee charged for voiding the sales receipts and pocketing the cash instead.’ And so on. Stealing is a common dilemma in the food industry. Therefore, if you are a restaurant owner or are planning to open … Read more
When most people think about floods, they think about the devastating ones that level houses, destroy property, and cause fatalities. While it’s true for some floods, thankfully, they represent a tiny number of floods that plague the country. A ‘Flood’ is the overflow of a body of water. It can happen in a river or … Read more
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has identified several flood hazard areas, i.e., areas at risk of flooding. Among them is Flood Zone AE. What defines Flood Zone AE, and how severe is the risk of flooding in this flood zone? Flood Zone AE is identified as having a high risk of flooding due to … Read more
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has identified several flood hazard areas, i.e., areas at risk of flooding. Among them is Flood Zone X. What defines Flood Zone X, and how severe is the risk of flooding in this flood zone? Flood Zone X is an area identified as having either a moderate or low … Read more
Maybe you heard about an areal flood warning issued by a weather news service, but are unsure what it means? An areal flood is a new term that was adopted by the National Weather Service a few years ago. This became necessary to distinguish it from a flash flood. An areal flood warning is issued … Read more
If you live in Florida, you are no doubt already aware of the risks of flooding, but do you know enough about how this affects your flood insurance? Flooding is a constant risk for Florida’s residents. You need to be well-prepared for the eventuality to protect your family, home, and belongings. You may have prepared … Read more
Placing buildings at higher elevations is the best protection against flood damage. New buildings must be constructed 1 to 2 feet above the base flood elevation. This is the minimum elevation requirement for new or improved buildings to be qualified for flood insurance applications. Still, this minimum elevation is subject to change depending on the … Read more
