SECURITY SEEKER......................................................................................SPRING 2002

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Winter 2003

This email newsletter can be seen in its entirety at URSecure.com.
Welcome to the Winter edition of The Security Seeker Newsletter. The Seeker is published exclusively for security-minded consumers and is viewable solely on the Internet. For the best in security advice, statistics and stories, seek the Security Seeker. If you find this email interesting, forward it to a friend and keep your friends secure, too!

FEATURE: Understanding The Five National Security Alerts

The world has changed since September 11, 2001. We remain a nation at risk to terrorist attacks and will remain at risk for the foreseeable future. Following is a detailed explanation of the Homeland Security Advisory System to help you understand the 5 Threat Conditions.

The United States Federal Government has a comprehensive system for informing the risk of terrorist acts to Federal, State, and local authorities and to the American people. The system provides warnings in the form of a set of "Threat Conditions" that increase as the risk of the threat increases. At each Threat Condition, Federal departments and agencies implement a corresponding set of Protective Measures to further reduce vulnerability or increase response capability during a period of heightened alert.

Homeland Security Advisory System
The following Threat Conditions each represent an increasing risk of terrorist attacks. From lowest to highest, the levels and colors are:

Low = Green;
Guarded = Blue;
Elevated = Yellow;
High = Orange;
Severe = Red.

The higher the Threat Condition, the greater the risk of a terrorist attack.
Risk includes both the probability of an attack occurring and its potential impact. Threat Conditions are assigned by the Attorney General in consultation with the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security. Except in critical circumstances, the Attorney General seeks the views of the appropriate Homeland Security Principals on the Threat Condition to be assigned. Threat Conditions may be assigned for the entire nation, or they may be set for a particular geographic area or industrial sector. Assigned Threat Conditions are reviewed at regular intervals to determine whether adjustments are warranted.

Protective Measures
The assignment of a Threat Condition prompts the implementation of an appropriate set of Protective Measures. Protective Measures are the specific steps an organization shall take to reduce its vulnerability or increase its ability to respond during a period of heightened alert. The authority to create and implement Protective Measures rests with the Federal departments and agencies.

The decision whether to publicly announce Threat Conditions is made on a case-by-case basis by the Attorney General in consultation with the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security. Every effort is made to share as much information regarding the threat as possible, consistent with the safety of the Nation. The Attorney General is also responsible for identifying any other information developed in the threat assessment process that would be useful to State and local officials and others.

The Elevation of Threat Conditions
Despite best efforts, there can be no guarantee that, at any given Threat Condition, a terrorist attack will not occur. An initial and important factor is the quality of the threat information itself. The evaluation of this threat information shall include, but not be limited to, the following factors:

To what degree is the threat information credible?
To what degree is the threat information corroborated?
To what degree is the threat specific and/or imminent?
How grave are the potential consequences of the threat?

Visit the Department of Homeland Security at http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/index.jsp to find out the current condition, or to get more information about Threat Conditions.

High-Tech Security Solutions

More homeowners are buying into high-tech solutions to prevent intruders. Here's a list of gadgets that are becoming standard in homes. Contact your dealer to more information about these items.

Cameras
Want to see who's at the door? Wireless cameras can send images to a home's personal computer or TV.

Web Monitoring
Internet-based security systems allow homeowners to dial in via laptop while they're on vacation and see what's going on in their home.

Home-control Systems
These systems not only control a house's security system but can also screen and blocks phone calls, control the lights, stereos and coffeemaker, open the garage door and include a family communication system in which members can leave and retrieve messages. Internet access lets users activate the system while away from home.

Remote Keyfobs
These pocket-sized gadgets let you control your alarm system without leaving the car.

Infrared sensors
Motion sensors are designed to cut back on false alarms by recognizing the difference between a dog and a burglar.

Preventing Child Abduction

Around the country, thousands of children are reported missing each year. Some children are found and returned, others return home on their own. Some children are never found or returned.

There is nothing that devastates parents, friends, and a community more than a reported child abduction or attempted kidnapping of a child. Child abduction is not only committed by a stranger, it could be committed by someone they know and trust, like a parent. Here's what you can do to prevent child abductions.

What Parents Can Do
4 Know where your child is at all times.
4 Never leave a small child alone at home or in a car.
4 Make sure your child knows his or her full name, address and phone number.
4 Make sure your child know where you work, and that telephone information.
4 Know your child's friends and where they live.
4 Tell your child to never talk to, take candy from, or go with a stranger without
      your consent.
4 Make sure your child knows never to get into a stranger's car.
4 Tell your child that if approached by a stranger, run and scream.
4 Let your child know that no one has a right to touch any part of his or her body
      that a bathing suit would cover.
4 Inform your child to report to you, a police officer or school authority, anyone that
      exposes his or her private parts to them.
4 Report to the police immediately, if your child informs you that they were lured or
      assaulted by a stranger.

Children should...
4 Never go to a friend's home without informing their parents where they are going
      and when they will return.
4 Never talk to strangers.
4 Never take candy or gifts from strangers.
4 Never wander off when they are with their parents.
4 Move away from a car or van that pulls up next to them, if they do not know the
      driver.
4 Scream and run away from any stranger that calls them to a vehicle or attempts
      to touch them.
4 Be suspicious of any stranger asking for assistance.
4 Try to remember what the stranger looks like, as well as the vehicle and license
      plate number.
4 Immediately inform parents or police of any strangers that attempt to call them
      to a car or van.

What the Community Can Do
4 Be aware of all strangers in their neighborhood, especially if they pay undue
      attention to a child.
4 Write down information about strangers in your neighborhood.
4 Write down information about strange vehicles in their neighborhood.
4 Call the sheriff/police immediately if someone is screaming or being chased by
      anyone.
4 When calling the police it is very important to give the call taker an accurate
      description of the suspect along with any vehicle being used.

Try to note the following information about a suspicious vehicle:
4 Make and Model
4 Body style
4 Color
4 Number of Doors
4 License Plate Number
4 Any damage or anything unusual about the vehicle
4 Where the vehicle is located or direction it was headed.

When describing a suspect, pay close attention to the following details:
General Description
4 Sex and race
4 Estimate age, height, and weight
4 Build (fat; husky; medium; slim)
4 Hair (color; texture; style; length)
4 Eyes (color; shape; are the eyelashes and eyebrows heavy or light)
4 Complexion (color; pores; pockmarks; acne; bumps)
4 Facial Hair (clean-shaven; beard; mustache; goatee)
4 Peculiarities (large or small nose; large or small ears; marks, scars, deformities,
      voice, speech, how they walk or talk, etc.
Clothing Description
4 Hat (color; style - e.g., cap, fedora, hood; any printing on the hat)
4 Coats (color; style; length; any printing on the coat or jacket)
4 Shirt/Blouse (color; design; sleeves; collar; any printing on it)
4 Pants: (color; style; length)
4 Socks: (color; pattern; length)
4 Shoes: (color; style)
4 Accessories: (sweater; scarf; gloves; tie)
4 Jewelry: (watch; rings; bracelet, earrings)
General Appearance: (neat; sloppy; clean or dirty)
Oddities: (clothing too large or too small; patches)

For more information, visit www.childprotectionsolutions.com

Tips for Weathering a Winter Storm

Timely preparation and preventative measures can help avoid the impacts of severe winter weather. Experts agree that the following measures can be effective in dealing with the challenges of severe winter weather:

Before severe weather arrives assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit containing:
4First aid kit and essential medications
4Battery-powered NOAA Weather radio
4Flashlight
4Extra batteries
4Canned food and can opener
4Bottled water (at least 1 gallon of water per person per day to last at least 3 days).
4Extra warm clothing, including boots, mittens, and a hat
Be sure to assemble a kit for your car and have your car winterized before winter storm season.

Stay tuned for storm warnings by listening to NOAA Weather Radio and your local radio and TV stations for updated storm information.

Here's what winter storm WATCHES and WARNINGS mean:
A winter storm WATCH means a winter storm is possible in your area. A winter storm WARNING means a winter storm is headed for your area. A blizzard WARNING means strong winds, blinding wind-driven snow, and dangerous wind chill are expected. Seek shelter immediately!

When a winter storm WATCH is issued...
Listen to NOAA Weather Radio, local radio, and TV stations, or cable TV such as The Weather Channel for further updates. Be alert to changing weather conditions and avoid unnecessary travel.

When a winter storm WARNING is issued...
Stay indoors during the storm. If you must go outside, several layers of lightweight clothing will keep you warmer than a single heavy coat. Gloves (or mittens) and a hat will prevent loss of body heat. Cover your mouth to protect your lungs. It is important that you understand the hazards of wind chill, which combines the cooling effect of wind and cold temperatures on exposed skin. As the wind increases, heat is carried away from a person's body at an accelerated rated, driving down the body temperature. Walk carefully on snowy, icy, sidewalks. And if you shovel your snow after the storm, be extremely careful. It is physically strenuous work, so take frequent breaks to avoid overexertion.

Avoid traveling by car in a storm, but if you must...
Carry a Disaster Supplies Kit in the trunk and keep your car's gas tank full for emergency use and to keep the fuel line from freezing. Let someone know your destination, your route, and when you expect to arrive. If your car gets stuck along the way, help can be sent along your predetermined route.

If You Do Get Stuck...
Stay with your car. Do not try to walk to safety. Tie a brightly colored cloth (preferably red) to the antenna for rescuers to see. Start the car and use the heater for about 10 minutes every hour. Keep the exhaust pipe clear so fumes won't back up in the car. Leave the overhead light on when the engine is running so that you can be seen. As you sit, keep moving your arms and legs to keep blood circulating and to stay warm. Keep one window away from the blowing wind slightly open to let in air.

What to Do After a Winter Storm
Continue listening to local radio or television stations or a NOAA Weather Radio for updated information and instructions. Access may be limited to some parts of the community, or roads may be blocked.

Help a neighbor who may require special assistance--infants, elderly people, and people with disabilities. Elderly people and people with disabilities may require additional assistance. People who care for them or who have large families may need additional assistance in emergency situations.

Avoid driving and other travel until conditions have improved. Roads may be blocked by snow or emergency vehicles. Again, avoid overexertion. Heart attacks from shoveling heavy snow are a leading cause of deaths during winter.

Finally, follow forecasts and be prepared when venturing outside. Major winter storms are often followed by even colder conditions.

-adapted from the American Red Cross www.redcross.org

Security Success Stories

Our Operators Provide Excellent Customer Service!

An EMERgency 24 operator called to verify validity of a burglar alarm at a bank in Fort Worth Texas. The teller told the operator to send the police and she immediately dispatched. The police arrived and caught the bank robber!

And that's another success story from your central station.

Do you have a success story you would like to share with your central station and other security minded people! Send us an email and let us know!

CONTACT INFORMATION

The Security Seeker is a customer service publication designed for security-minded consumers. If you have any questions or suggestions of how we might better service your security needs or have a success story you would like to submit for consideration, please contact Editor Tia Harrison at (773) 725-0222 or (800) 827-3624, ext. 6033. Visit our web site: www.ursecure.com.