Know Your Risks
Consider the Basics
Reducing the risk of a break-in is merely making your home less inviting to burglars than the other homes in your neighborhood. Home security systems aren't the only way to guarantee home security; some basic steps can be taken to safeguard your home. If a burglar is delayed just a few minutes, he is apt to give up and try another less problematical home. Basic, ordinary home security equipment, such as padlocks and deadbolts, can discourage an intruder and stop him from entering your home. Remember, even the best and most efficient lock, if it is placed in a weak door, will not stop a determined burglar.
Emergency Plan
Sometimes, no matter the precautions you have taken, a home security system will fail to fend-off a burglar. In this instance, a predetermined emergency plan will come in handy. Your family needs to agree on a secret, yet easily remembered, code word such as "bluebird", "pajama pants", or any other term which the meaning could not be easily figured out. Everyone in your family needs to know the protocol of the emergency plan.
- Alert everyone in the household by saying your code word over the intercom--this sets the plan into motion
- Keep yourself safe, you cannot help your family if you are in danger
- Call the police or press the panic button on your home security system
- Children should lock their doors and hide in their rooms--either under the bed, in a toy chest or in the closet
- Do not confront the burglar if you can help it
Everyone needs to know that their safety is of utmost importance, and staying safe is the main priority.
Children and Home Security
Teaching your children about home security and how they can protect themselves will keep them safe and lower your anxiety level. Eventually every child gets to an age where you can leave him or her alone at home for short periods of time. There are safety practices that your child needs to know.
- How to arm and disarm the home security system
- How to properly answer the door
- How to reach you when you are at work or running errands
Instructing your child to never allow anyone into the house under any circumstances--not even someone who claims to be a policeman--will keep him or her safe and your home security intact. Your child also needs to know that he/she should never let a caller know that he or she is home alone. Advise him or her that they should tell the caller you are unable to come to the phone. No one needs to know that your child is home without you.
Vacation Tips
Vacations are a wonderful way to get away from the day to day grind, but worrying about your home security can add unnecessary stress to your getaway. Taking a few precautionary steps to assure your home security will allow you concentrate on the sand and sun, not the state of your home.
- Leave your blinds open or in their regular position
- Stop the delivery of your newspaper
- Lower the ringer of your telephone so it can't be heard outside
- Arrange for your lawn to be mowed or walk shoveled
- Ask a neighbor to pick up circulars that are left on your door
- Have your mail and packages picked up, forwarded, or held at the post office
- Program a timed device to automatically turn your lights, stereo, or TV on and off at appropriate times
The easiest way to establish home security while you are not at home is to put on the pretense that you are.
A Few Extra Steps
Adding a few extra precautions into your daily routine can make your home security more effective. Each night you should make a habit of checking that all doors and windows are locked and your home security alarm is turned on. It only takes 21 days to form a habit, and these three weeks can save your life. Take special care when it comes to your keys. Never carry your house keys on a key ring bearing your home address, leave your keys in your car, or hide a key in a "secret" place outside your home--burglars usually know where to look.
