Flip Guard - Added Deadbolt Security

The Flip Guard from Ultimate Lock System is a great device if you want added security for your deadbolts!

This one is mounted on the back door leading into our garage.  Once both cars are in the garage and we are inside the home, we flip the guard to securely lock the deadbolt so that nobody can get inside even with a key!  When we leave the home, we pull the latch down so that the deadbolt works as normal.

Paranoid?  Perhaps, but having worked in law enforcement in the past, I know that you cannot have too much security.  I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS DEVICE for anyone who is security conscious.  If you simply search "Lock Bumping" or "Bump Key" on YouTube, you'll be shocked at how easy it is for an intruder to enter your home.  With this device on your deadbolt, they can't bump the lock to get in.

Installation is extremely easy... just loosen the deadbolt by unscrewing the two screws that hold your deadbolt in place and slip the flip guard behind the lock.  Then tighten the screws and you are done!  I decided to slide the Flip Guard further in so that the flip mechanism is centered to the deadbolt lever.  I think they make it a bit larger so that it can fit any type of deadbolt.  Also, be sure to position it so that the guard flips down when open.  This way, it can't accidentally flip into the lock position when you are outside of the home which would lock you out!  There's really no way it would happen even if you did mount it wrong as the flip handle is tight enough that it does not swing open or closed by itself anyway.

This device is used to keep you safe while you are INSIDE your home.  It doesn't do any extra protection for you when you are outside the home since it doesn't engage when you leave.  You can only engage it when you are inside.  Still, it's one added safety for you to protect you from home invasions.

I have an Amazon link for you in case you have an interest in this device.  I chose the satin nickel finish as it matches our hardware better, but there are other finishes available.

Why There Aren't As Many Blog Posts Lately

You might be wondering why there aren't as many blog posts lately.  Well, there are... they just are on my food blog!

Lately, I've been on a kick of cooking up some food and so I started a second blog so I would not over burden this blog with so many food photos and descriptions!  To see all of these posts, be sure to visit my second blog at www.foodforruss.blogspot.com  You see plenty of blog posts there when there aren't any here.

I'll continue to post entries on this blog when they are not food related.  It's just that lately, it seems I have more to say about my food adventures than anything else.

See you at the new blog (and here too)!

Falling Out of Bed

I have fallen out of my bed at least five times in the last year since purchasing a new mattress.  The new mattress has a "rolled edge" rather than a hard solid edge (like on cheaper mattresses), so it's easier to roll out of bed.

Each time, I have a dream that either requires me to fight off someone who is trying to attack my family and I need to defend them, or my dream requires me to jump or move to another area (from point A to point B).  Each time though, I end up on the ground instead!

In the past, I would fall out of bed and be ok, but last night, when rolling towards the floor, my chin and throat hit the edge of my nightstand causing my neck to snap back.  Also, my big toe from my left foot got caught between the bed frame and the box spring, so it is hurt as well.

I am lucky I didn't snap my neck or cause major damage to my throat or larynx.  This morning, I had a huge "sore throat" in the larynx area and a bit of whiplash.  My big toe is aching as well.

Perhaps I need to look into a bed rail or something!  Sounds weird for an adult, but apparently, many seniors have this problem of falling out of bed as well.  I'm not technically a "senior" yet by legal definition, but I'm close.

I have fallen out of bed many times in the past as well.  I recall within the first couple of days of being married, I fell out of bed!  I give my wife a lot of room on the bed, so I tend to sleep right on the edge of the bed.  I've been doing this for over 30 years.  I usually sleep on my side too.  So any false move, I'm on the floor.  I'd estimate that since being married (and counting this past year), I've probably fallen out of bed 8 or 9 times!

It's getting dangerous now that I'm older and so I am seriously considering some kind of restraint system going forward.  What do you think... bed rails?  Yikes!