"This book presents a wealth of contemporary design products and prototypes from all over the world that address the issues of protection and security in our everyday lives. The objects are as diverse as our notions of safety and well-being: headgear designed to withstand either a fall from a bicycle or the blast of a bomb; prefabricated shelters for victims of earthquakes; self-defense and antitheft objects; clearly illustrated emergency instructions; de-mining equipment; and toys that help people with mental disabilities gain and maintain a sense of balance and identity. This broad array of examples is accompanied by texts on the home as a safety nest, on automotive safety, on new materials and technologies, and on how architects and designers can provide support and guidance in situations of extreme emergency."--BOOK JACKET