sm
member
Firearms are not a Holy Grail!
Firearms are part of the whole package of being secure. -sm
Quick...you are in your local grocery store, you need to run out an exit.
-Do you know where the exits are?
-Do you know what is beyond the other side of the exit?
-Can you leave this exit area?
Codes vary from locale to locale. Fire Exits for example - based on a certain square footage, the number of persons that may be in said building ( occupancy), and other criteria as well. These codes specify if one needs a back door if a certain square footage is meet.
Exits and the number of how many - are also based on square footage, number of floors, occupancy and other criteria.
Around here - If one is located next to a drycleaners for instance, insurance rates are often higher - greater risk of fire with all the chemicals a dry cleaning establishments uses. Just something to consider when choosing a place to lease.
Some small businesses do not have a back door. It is good to know this, from a business and customer perspective.
--
I think outside the box, I observe. So when a buddy of mine called - I went to see what all he was fussing about.
His strip center has the back area where dumpsters are kept. Times have changed and it seems some "youths" and others have decided this is a great place to do things out of public view. They even personalized the walls with Graffetti.
Owner of said Property, put up a fence, razor wire, chain and lock. Persons that lease from him - such as my buddy- have keys; meaning someone has to let the various trucks into this now "secure" area that empty these leased dumpsters. These trucks used to just drive around back and not require someone to let them in.
I have noticed more and more of this of late. Being checked into is Fire Codes and if anything about these "pens for prey" as I called them.
So forget about my buddy and employees getting armed robbed for a bit- let us say a fire breaks out and the rear exit is the way to go.
What if it is your wife and baby in that business and they have to exit?
Security measures work more than one way. While they may keep someone "out" - they also can keep someone "in".
It would really be bad to be penned in and die of smoke inhaliation out back of a business. Not to good to exit rear to evade an armed robber and one of his friends can shoot penned prey.
So I do one of my 'walk thrus' and then had a meeting of these strip center owners and employees.
Enacted is: Phone buddy system landline and cell phones to relay messages of suspicious characters. Codewords used if a business calls another and something is WRONG. This allows neighbor business(s) to call LEO direct [City, County, State] say if if armed robbery is in fact in progress, if being cased - any number of concerns. May be something such as Person whom has a restraining order comes to place of business to stir up trouble. Get that employee out of there, run down and enter another neighbor business in a more secure place.
Fire, this one as well is using the buddy system. Folks that do have CPR and similar First Aid, well renewals are being set up and new courses being checked into. It may be used on a customer, or one of their fellow business persons.
Also being done is 20 ga youth shotguns- big guy can use a smaller shotgun - a petite lady cannot use a big heavy one. Set everything up so the smallest/ weakest person can use the tools of staying safe.
Some folks do have CCW, some do not, nontheless various trainings were discussed. There are plans being made for Employers and employees alike to get trainings. Not all are firearm related - All are survival related.
Took these smallest and weakest persons out to try various bolt cutters to use on chain. In a stressful situation motor skills get deteriorated. Yes extra chain was bought and everyone practiced.
I think range time is going to be more fun, using the air horns and extra fire extinguishers as well. Still the folks went out and busted chains with bolt cutters.
First aid -CPR is going to educational and fun. "Can I pretend it is my ex husband when I pound on that dummies chest?" These folks are serious, don't mean one cannot have sense of humor. Something about a little petite lady asking about throat tourniquets...you had to be there. These she wants to learn on customers...seems she has some folks in mind as "volunteers" to practice on. *grin*
"Exit Bags" were made up/ continue to be made up and kept in a handy place near exit(s) . Flashlights [Garrity disposable with a laynard electrical taped to them] , cloth diapers to put over mouth and nose to not breath smoke...first aid kits, bottle of oxygen...
Then we loaded up and took a drive during the day. Just various places folks frequent. WE repeated at night. The night changes things.
Revelations. Places folks frequented, like spouses and with kids, not so good during day, worse at night.
Some will be doing some grocery shopping, and other errands, in other locations that seem better suited for one's safety; day and/or night.
Even went to movie theaters. Folks will be parking in lots a bit different.
One person commented about their home - they have a privacy fence, never dawned on them escaping to back yard might be a problem in the event of a fire. They have a great backyard neighbor. Plans are being enacted with this trusted neighbor. Perhaps a gate, most likely a portable ladder easily accessible, currently just a tall wooden fence with no gate.
Drive around to the places you, and yours frequent. Drug Stores, grocery stores, Book stores, Pet store...day and night viewing. Then sit down with family and have a talk, have a plan.
You business owners, you too take a look at your place day and night. I advise getting someone else to view all this, fresh perspective. View from the eyes of a thief, having to escape a fire.
Your best tools may perhaps be a dispoable light to see, damp diaper so you do not inhale smoke, a set of bolt cutters to exit a penned in area filled with smoke, or debris, even flames. The air horn may signal for help, or to signal where you are when the Fire Dept and other Rescue personel arrive. With a light around your neck, you / others gathered will be more easy to spot in dim/ no lighting due to smoke.
Regards,
Steve
Firearms are part of the whole package of being secure. -sm
Quick...you are in your local grocery store, you need to run out an exit.
-Do you know where the exits are?
-Do you know what is beyond the other side of the exit?
-Can you leave this exit area?
Codes vary from locale to locale. Fire Exits for example - based on a certain square footage, the number of persons that may be in said building ( occupancy), and other criteria as well. These codes specify if one needs a back door if a certain square footage is meet.
Exits and the number of how many - are also based on square footage, number of floors, occupancy and other criteria.
Around here - If one is located next to a drycleaners for instance, insurance rates are often higher - greater risk of fire with all the chemicals a dry cleaning establishments uses. Just something to consider when choosing a place to lease.
Some small businesses do not have a back door. It is good to know this, from a business and customer perspective.
--
I think outside the box, I observe. So when a buddy of mine called - I went to see what all he was fussing about.
His strip center has the back area where dumpsters are kept. Times have changed and it seems some "youths" and others have decided this is a great place to do things out of public view. They even personalized the walls with Graffetti.
Owner of said Property, put up a fence, razor wire, chain and lock. Persons that lease from him - such as my buddy- have keys; meaning someone has to let the various trucks into this now "secure" area that empty these leased dumpsters. These trucks used to just drive around back and not require someone to let them in.
I have noticed more and more of this of late. Being checked into is Fire Codes and if anything about these "pens for prey" as I called them.
So forget about my buddy and employees getting armed robbed for a bit- let us say a fire breaks out and the rear exit is the way to go.
What if it is your wife and baby in that business and they have to exit?
Security measures work more than one way. While they may keep someone "out" - they also can keep someone "in".
It would really be bad to be penned in and die of smoke inhaliation out back of a business. Not to good to exit rear to evade an armed robber and one of his friends can shoot penned prey.
So I do one of my 'walk thrus' and then had a meeting of these strip center owners and employees.
Enacted is: Phone buddy system landline and cell phones to relay messages of suspicious characters. Codewords used if a business calls another and something is WRONG. This allows neighbor business(s) to call LEO direct [City, County, State] say if if armed robbery is in fact in progress, if being cased - any number of concerns. May be something such as Person whom has a restraining order comes to place of business to stir up trouble. Get that employee out of there, run down and enter another neighbor business in a more secure place.
Fire, this one as well is using the buddy system. Folks that do have CPR and similar First Aid, well renewals are being set up and new courses being checked into. It may be used on a customer, or one of their fellow business persons.
Also being done is 20 ga youth shotguns- big guy can use a smaller shotgun - a petite lady cannot use a big heavy one. Set everything up so the smallest/ weakest person can use the tools of staying safe.
Some folks do have CCW, some do not, nontheless various trainings were discussed. There are plans being made for Employers and employees alike to get trainings. Not all are firearm related - All are survival related.
Took these smallest and weakest persons out to try various bolt cutters to use on chain. In a stressful situation motor skills get deteriorated. Yes extra chain was bought and everyone practiced.
I think range time is going to be more fun, using the air horns and extra fire extinguishers as well. Still the folks went out and busted chains with bolt cutters.
First aid -CPR is going to educational and fun. "Can I pretend it is my ex husband when I pound on that dummies chest?" These folks are serious, don't mean one cannot have sense of humor. Something about a little petite lady asking about throat tourniquets...you had to be there. These she wants to learn on customers...seems she has some folks in mind as "volunteers" to practice on. *grin*
"Exit Bags" were made up/ continue to be made up and kept in a handy place near exit(s) . Flashlights [Garrity disposable with a laynard electrical taped to them] , cloth diapers to put over mouth and nose to not breath smoke...first aid kits, bottle of oxygen...
Then we loaded up and took a drive during the day. Just various places folks frequent. WE repeated at night. The night changes things.
Revelations. Places folks frequented, like spouses and with kids, not so good during day, worse at night.
Some will be doing some grocery shopping, and other errands, in other locations that seem better suited for one's safety; day and/or night.
Even went to movie theaters. Folks will be parking in lots a bit different.
One person commented about their home - they have a privacy fence, never dawned on them escaping to back yard might be a problem in the event of a fire. They have a great backyard neighbor. Plans are being enacted with this trusted neighbor. Perhaps a gate, most likely a portable ladder easily accessible, currently just a tall wooden fence with no gate.
Drive around to the places you, and yours frequent. Drug Stores, grocery stores, Book stores, Pet store...day and night viewing. Then sit down with family and have a talk, have a plan.
You business owners, you too take a look at your place day and night. I advise getting someone else to view all this, fresh perspective. View from the eyes of a thief, having to escape a fire.
Your best tools may perhaps be a dispoable light to see, damp diaper so you do not inhale smoke, a set of bolt cutters to exit a penned in area filled with smoke, or debris, even flames. The air horn may signal for help, or to signal where you are when the Fire Dept and other Rescue personel arrive. With a light around your neck, you / others gathered will be more easy to spot in dim/ no lighting due to smoke.
Regards,
Steve
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