Businesses in Family Safety and Self-Defense.

“No man is an island,,,”

Long ago I heard the statement, “No man is an island,,,”. I have repeated it many times since. I never knew the source until recently. It was a relief knowing that my interpretation was in context with the source.

This page is dedicated to resources (businesses, government links and people) that have helped me in various situations. Many thanks to all of them and I hope they can assist you too.

First, would have to be Squarespace; they host this site and continue to educate me in this endeavor. A First Class business all the way!

Online Sunshine, the link to the Florida law statutes. Help with landlord/tenant issues, insurance, firearms and the permits related to them.

Florida Concealed Weapons

Concealed Weapon License, make your appointment online and you are in/out in a short while. Don’t mail your application in. If your application is accepted, then you can have that license in your hand in about 8 weeks.

The best gun belts I have ever used. Family owned and they stand by their products.

Sunbiz.org, Florida’s official website for corporations/businesses. Before you engage in activity with a business, check them out first; see if they are legit and active.

“Before you get involved with that guy or girl who seems too good to be true,

run their name here.” ;)

Are they really financially well off or just trying to stay ahead of the I.R.S.?

Florida Department of Law Enforcement, I linked to the section involving stolen property. The site states “Florida Records Only”. Let me tell you a little secret, the stolen guns and vehicle results are Nation Wide. I have produced records from other states involving guns and vehicles through these entries. In my early years working on vice-related crimes, Rolex watches were also Nation Wide results due to their targeting of prostitution crimes that often resulted in death or serious injury. If your car is stolen and the reporting officer states that he entered it into the computer(NCIC) as stolen, then it will show up here, check it. If the police entered the stolen property from your home(Florida Only) it will show up here. If it does not show, then it was not entered.

Sexual Offenders and Predators Search

You can put your address in and it will produce a list of predators in your neighborhood. Don’t be shocked, every neighborhood has them.

CDC- Centers For Disease Control

This website is always a good place to keep handy. The help topics are endless.

CDC- For Traveling Outside The Country

Read up on your travel destination.

Nest

Makers of the Nest Cam for home surveillance. I use this system and chose it over the others. Easy for you to install and can be controlled from your cellphone. The best clarity in a video that I have found.

Safelite Auto Glass

You just walked out to the car and your car window is all over the ground. You’ve been broken into and it never happens at a convenient time. I have used Safelite many times, they are First Class and they will come to your location. If your windshield is the issue and it was not a crime (dump trucks or semi’s tossing rocks) then Florida law requires insurance companies to replace the windshield free to you, without a deductible. All insurance companies are well aware of this. Florida HB 323

Ready.gov F.E.M.A

There’s a ton of information here on preparation for natural disasters.

SafeSport.org

This organization deals with the protection of our children in sports activities. It’s a requirement of sports governed by the USOC, United States Olympic Committee. It protects by educating coaches and athletes on issues involving all types of abuse.(Yes, if you’re on the field or the mat, you are a coach or athlete in the eyes of litigation!) Your sport does not have to be a USOC sport to get the training for your child or coach. The training involves online courses that are interesting and to the point. They average about 1 1/2 hours of your time. They are designed for athletes of all ages. The participants get a downloadable diploma. I wish this training had been available 40 years ago.

Heads Up to Youth Sports

This is online training for athletes and coaches involving sports injuries, mainly concussions and heat-related injuries. Much like SafeSport training, it is straight to the point and much needed. Young athletes/kids would do great to take this small online course. Another resource that should have been around 40 years ago.

ACR Survival Products

Mainly GPS beacon devices for boats and people, this company is the clear leader in their field. I have owned their devices for 20 years. I will never get over the irony of a person who will spend tens of thousands of dollars on equipment, travel and flight tickets to pursue their activity, but fail or refuse to purchase, one of these devices.

They save lives every day. Even the best climber or hiker can relate to at least one moment when they found themselves in need of help. I carry one when I travel by car or plane. If you purchase one, then you need to register it here.

That way the first responders will know who to look for and any special circumstances that involve you or your family. Special circumstances such as; how many are in your party, their ages, any existing medical conditions of party members, etc.,,,

Yes, we have all seen the ad's on TV for it; it does work. I have had it for many years and placed my son on it when he was about 13 years old, he is 26 now. He has no credit history and apparently that is what appealed to someone in Asia last month. I got a call at approximately 2:30 am . The time difference over there is about 13 hours. Someone had his social security number correct, but had his name & date of birth, slightly off. They were trying to purchase cell phones in his name. The Sh!tHead tried “5” times at different locations throughout the day. LifeLock shut the transactions down and notified the credit bureaus of the attempts.

Valente Brothers Self-Defense

This business provides self-defense training for all ages. People in the martial arts community know the Valente Brothers and their reputation for providing real-world self-defense training. They are based in the Miami area. If you are not in the Miami area, contact them anyway and ask for a facility that may be in your state or country that teaches their curriculum.

Pelican Cases

People who need protection for their equipment, know the name “Pelican”. Simply the best cases in the world. Here is a link to their video section where you can see the products in use.

FortifyFL

FortifyFl is an app created by The Office of Attorney General, Department of Education and Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The app is used by students to report suspicious activity on school grounds or to report concerns made by subjects involving Florida schools. the reporting is anonymous and the report/tip is immediately sent to the school board and police. The app can be downloaded to your child’s cell phone and they have a way to alert the school and police, readily available, in their hands.

The app was created in response to the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School mass shooting.

Opinel

Here is a company that has lasted over 100 years. They deal in knives. We have always been a knife culture and the discussion on which knife is best, well, it’s a debate that cannot produce a sole winner. I have knives from many good companies, from Ontario Knife Company to Case. I chose to list Opinel here due to their long tradition of quality and their wide range of knives; from everyday carry to kitchen knives. They make great gifts that don’t break the bank and they have an outlet here in the United States.

Tile App Tracker

Occasionally we lose something, our keys, tools, our bicycle gets stolen or maybe a pet; with this small Bluetooth-enabled device and your cell phone, you might just get your property back.

The Tile App tracker is the largest property recovery system out there that you have probably never even heard of.

Zuca Bags

Great bags for your kid’s school supplies or pick one out for your travel. They are not cheap, but if you can afford to invest in one, it will pay off in the long run. The Zuca company has many options to choose from.

Buffalo Bore Ammunition in Salmon, Idaho produces high-performance ammunition for self-defense and hunting dangerous game.

If your source for ammo is dry, then take a look at Buffalo Bore.

LifeVac

LifeVac saves lives; consider keeping one close by. I keep one attached to a first-aid kit in my vehicle. If you have children at home, keep one there also.