Home Security
Keeping your home secure is one of the most important aspects of preparedness. A good way to keep your home safe from intruders is to ask yourself these three questions: How will I deter intruders? How will I delay intruders? How will I defend myself and my family against intruders? Deter. Delay. Defend.
There is one component that can fall into all three of those categories: a guard dog. A protective dog can deter intruders from attempting to enter your home, it can delay their entrance, and can also keep the intruders at bay if they do gain entry. A dog can buy you and your family precious time to defend your home, if it comes to that.
Ways to DETER intruders:
- Outdoor lighting. Keep porch lights on at night, and make sure to leave a light on if you plan to return home after dark.
- If you are going out, make it look like someone is home. Leave a few lights on in different rooms or leave the TV on.
- Security cameras and motion detectors. With our modern technology, the motion detected can show up instantly on your cell phone.
- If you hide a key outside, like many people do, be sure it’s discreet. You can even put it in a small concealable lock box. Under the mat or flowerpot is too easy for burglars.
- Lock your garage, and do not leave your garage door opener in plain view or inside the vehicle if you’re not in it.
Ways to DELAY intruders:
- Use reinforced screws on hinges and reinforce the entry door strike plate.
- Use good quality dead bolts on outside doors.
- Lock all windows and doors, including storm doors. You should make it common practice to be sure all windows are locked when you leave home. When you’re home, you should keep your storm or screen door locked, in addition to your regular door.
- Add heavy dowels or rods to the track on your sliding door.
Unfortunately, even with all the attempts to deter and delay intruders, they can still gain access to your home. That’s when the time has come to defend yourself, your family, and your home.
Ways to DEFEND your home:
- Know your home’s layout. Can you navigate your home if the lights went out?
- Know where your firearms are located and know the “Castle Doctrine” for your state.
- Have a safe room or space for your family to hide, with the ability to call 911.
- If you have younger children, you can alert them that it’s time to hide by having a signal, such as a whistle. If they hear that whistle, it’s time for them to go to their safe room or space. Practice this with them!
Original author: J. Felix