Home Safety - Would a panic button be a good idea? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: japasetelagoas
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2018, 01:24:54 am
content: Hi folks, I was browsing through my neighborhood WhatsApp group and saw that a house in my very own street got robbed, owners tied down while the burglars took away their belongings. I was thinking to myself, not sure if it exists nor if it's a good idea, but wouldn't it help having some sort of panic button on every single room of a house? No matter where those bastards lock you in, even if they take away your phones, there's still a way for you to send a message to the outside world.I though about an array of ESP8266 or something similar, connected via Wifi and maybe with a SIM card backup in case the robbers decide to also take away your router/modem.It can't be noticeable to anyone, maybe behind a fake blank outlet cover, held with magnets, something easy to pry open and even easier to put back in. If they decide to change rooms and notice an open outlet cover that seems suspicious, that might be the end of it.Just a thought though.

author: rhodges
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2018, 04:16:39 am
content: That is a decent idea. In the US, it would probably have to signal a trusted friend. Emergency services might not react to automated calls. But one or more friends or a security company could make it work.False alarms will be an issue. To a lesser extent, but still important, are cases where an attacker makes the owner claim the alarm is "false". A keyword for coercion can help here.

author: cdev
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2018, 04:20:59 am
content: All burglar alarms have something of that nature. (and they all have some degree of automation) It may be called a 'duress' code. It means summon help. Also many homes now have a panic room, a fortified room where the occupants can flee to, it may be encased in metal, etc. There they can shelter in place, waiting for police to arrive.

author: BradC
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2018, 04:30:38 am
content: Quote from: rhodges on November 28, 2018, 04:16:39 amWe've been working with these things for over 30 years now. False alarms are rarely an issue. Nuisance alarms can be. False alarms are a failure of the technology. Nuisance alarms are a failure of the person operating the technology or the environment.In the old days, the monitoring station called the cops and they went straight out. Unfortunately the steadily increasing number of systems installed by complete muppets has seen the nuisance alarm rate skyrocket, so years ago the cops stopped being interested. These days the monitoring station will do whatever you ask them to do (except make a call to the police for an unverified alarm). In cases of a duress, people often get them to call the premises. There are multiple ways of managing the process from there, but in cases of a verified genuine issue a call from the monitoring company will see the boys in blue dispatched.I will say the security industry is still the last bastion of the thief and charlatan. Failed real-estate agents move into selling used cars. When they fail as a used car salesman they start selling security systems. The installers are not much better on the whole. Another case of race to the bottom.If you are serious about a duress system for your place, you could do a lot worse than to look at stuff that has been around for years and relatively proven, unless you really want to get into cobbling another DIY IoT nightmare that will either drive you (and the poor sod you nominate to monitor it) nuts with failures or nuisance alarms or completely fail to operate when you literally have a gun to your head.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 28, 2018, 04:42:38 am
content: KISSExisting alarm system with an extra wired button on each room. Don't rely on some complicated hi-tech solution.

author: sokoloff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2018, 12:33:59 pm
content: Yes, KISS.Though the alarm industry wireless devices are also acceptable, IMO. I wouldn't rely on small electronic devices that I'd built fewer than 100 of for anything that could be life-safety.

author: eugenenine
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2018, 12:55:57 pm
content: ABD, alarm systems have a panic code or a remote as well as services like life alert.

author: Bassman59
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2018, 04:55:48 pm
content: Quote from: japasetelagoas on November 28, 2018, 01:24:54 amReally? That's beyond rare. Burglars don't want to go near a house when anyone is home.

author: Terry01
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2018, 05:49:56 pm
content: Quote from: Bassman59 on November 28, 2018, 04:55:48 pmYup... i agree. Usually it's posh folk that get robbed that way. The crooks know there is a safe in the home or something like that.My mother who is 76 has a thing that's monitered 24/7. She wears a button on her wrist and if she hits it she has a thing like an answering machine that dials her and asks over the loud speaker what's wrong.If she doesn't answer they send whatever service. It's hooked up to the smoke detectors too. She's used the ambulance a few times when my dad was still living and i set it off by accident with my vape thing and i have to say the ambulance was there so fast it saved my dads life a couple times before he eventually kicked it.When i set the smoke detector off by accident with mu vape they were on the phone within 10-15 seconds ready to send the fire brigade.The Police is the only 1 she hasn't used but if the ambulance and fire service is anything to go by they would be there toot sweet!

author: Rick Law
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 29, 2018, 01:22:07 am
content: Quote from: Terry01 on November 28, 2018, 05:49:56 pmWhen my neighbors got robbed a few years back, I did some research. These are my conclusion from that research and not from some formal study some where. I am sharing that experience thinking that a true case may help you decide how best to implement your alarm and your protection. Fact is, that was a few years back and I am not sure it applies anywhere else.For the general area where I am (ie: north-east USA), there were (are?) two usual type of break-in's.1. Quick cashThey are not looking to rob you clean.They are looking to get a few bucks for their next drug fix. They are more dangerous than type-2. They are not looking for a lot, but they are desperate to get whatever amount is needed for the next fix and they want it now. Sothey will apply as much force as necessary to get that quick cash. Typically, they cost as much or much more in damages (broken door, broken flower vast, whatever) than what they take. These are the same who would break your car window if valuables are visible.2. Clear you out(Typically...) They are not people going for quick cash. The break-in is planned, and they will take all they can within the time they planned.Typically, they are less dangerous to your person, but you will loose a lot more financially. However, since they did the planning,they also picked the time when you are most vulnerable. Should there be harm, it could be really bad. Wealthy areas or areas known to the perpetrator(s) are areas at risk.So, you don't need to be really wealthy -wealth is relative. In so far as they think you got more wealth than they that is worth their time, they are gamed. In fact, middle/lower-middle/lower are more at risk - those who has enough to be attractive to takers, but not enough to be properly protected like the very rich.All these are hear-say from neighbors and victims:In the case of the robberies that led to my interest - they were likely people who knew the area and could "hang-around" without others suspecting. That year, a few houses very close to me were robbed (that we are aware of). Whoever broke in appears to know the owner's schedule, and know how to get in unobserved - ie: they choose front, back, or side (deck) door appropriately - appropriately as in less visible. They were there at the times when the owner would not be there - except one came home off normal schedule. According to the home owner, they eye-locked and the robbers were "surprised" and escaped on foot. Since accessing our area without driving would be rather difficult, to do that successfully, they clearly known where to parked their cars so their car is not visible from where they are "doing business" yet easily accessible if you know the short cuts between the streets (no fence, no trees or natural stuff blocking the way). The guy knew the best path to escape.Between the neighborhood conversations, we (fairly or unfairly) believed it to be people who served this area - such as grounds keepers. We don't know each other well, but we know each other enough that we know when a stranger is there. Thus, whoever was there "casing" would be someone who can do it without invoking any suspicion.

author: MrMobodies
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 29, 2018, 01:29:27 am
content: They had something similar ten years ago in shops in the UK.I can't remember the name of the unit but it had a small lcd screen, one green and one red button and it alerted other shops but I am not sure if it calls the police.I think it was something to do Neighbourhood Watch.

author: Terry01
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 29, 2018, 12:09:33 pm
content: If I lived in the US I would invest in the ultimate panic button. The one that gives your would be robber a serious "bum clencher" when you hit it and leaves no doubt it's them who should be panicking!Unfortunately in the UK we can't do that incase we upset their human rights or even just make them scared or something really serious like that. The fact you were about to be robbed doesn't even come into it. If you don't give the robber some nice warm milk and a cookie your right in the shit! Your looking at around 5 years in the stinky for that! Upsetting the robber.... nothing more serious than that offence!

author: MrMobodies
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 29, 2018, 12:36:48 pm
content: I don't know how much force to use if I win and they get disable for someone who breaks in armed.There was an article about break in's and I think they called it "an irish joke"https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5257813/Burglar-injured-genitals-sues-shopkeeper-damages.htmlQuoteHere's a joke: I think I feel sorry for the CCTV recorder as that got hit the hardest.

author: hussamaldean
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 29, 2018, 12:37:38 pm
content: when I was in Germany, I burnt my food and I forgot to close my door and the smoke sensor detect the smoke and the fire and emergency response were in my area like in 2minutes and s***ts escalated so quicklythx good that I didn't pay fines at allanyway, back to the topicthis will escalate thing so quicklybut I think MCB and RCCB are better since they can provide decent protections

author: cdev
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 29, 2018, 02:11:59 pm
content: In NYC several years ago, somebody was found to be keeping afull sized adult tigerin their apartment, presumably as a burglar deterrent.Neighbors complained about the smell so somebody called the cops. They seemed to take it in stride, tranquilized it with a dart and brought it to a zoo.

author: JVR
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 29, 2018, 03:27:34 pm
content: Quote from: Bassman59 on November 28, 2018, 04:55:48 pmThat very much depends on the country you are in.

author: Zucca
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 29, 2018, 04:12:11 pm
content: If you have kids a panic button could be nasty.

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 29, 2018, 04:17:50 pm
content: Quote from: zucca on November 29, 2018, 04:12:11 pmYes:https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/molly-guard

author: cdev
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 29, 2018, 04:22:12 pm
content: The best defense is maintaining good relations with your neighbors and not presenting an easy target to burglars.If you go away on vacation, arrange to have your mail held and ask your neighbors to visually check out your place from time to time to make sure no windows have been broken, doors smashed in, etc. make sure they have a way to reach you if they need to.Also a monitored burglar alarm is a good investment. It will also reduce your insurance costs.Also, inequality is soaring these days and we should all do our best to minimize the worst impacts of that on people as best we can.Otherwise, we're all going to be in big trouble in a few years when AI really hits.A smart person shouldn't rub the situation in people's faces by owning and flaunting anything that displays ostentatious wealth. With so many people struggling, that's really kind of mean.Its also likely to be a bad investment -

author: MrMobodies
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 29, 2018, 05:27:26 pm
content: Yes there is a rise on acid attacks and I am considering of wearing a helmet soon if it become worse.