Home Self Defense Tips To Make Your Home Secure



1. Make your home look like someone is always living in it. Keeping curtains closed in the day can give the impression that the house is empty. Placing your lights on a timer when you are not home so the lights automatically turn on when it becomes dark is a great way to appear home when your not.

2. Install deadbolts on all doors that lead to the outside. Be sure any lower level windows are also securely locked. Door and window alarms are a cheap way to alert you when a door or window is opened.

3. To help prevent home invasion or to help defend against it - purchase a large self defense spray to keep close to each door.

4. When leaving town be sure to put your mail on hold and stop newspaper or milk deliveries. Cutting your lawn is also a great idea right before you leave town. This continued activity will make it appear you are home.

5. Keep bushes and other foliage cut back to prevent burglars or possible assailants from hiding in them.

6. Keep valuable items like high end TVs away from windows and doors where passer byes can easily view them. Move these items to more discreet locations.

7. Consider installing a monitored burglar alarm with panic buttons throughout your home. These are a great way to protect yourself while you are home and protect your home while you are out. DIY auto dialers are now an affordable alternative to a professional alarm system and they will call the numbers you pre program.

8. Be sure to lock your shed and garage with a good lock and keep tools locked up so they can not be used to break into you home. If you have a ladder around your home, make sure you use a chain and padlock to secure it to a fixed object so a criminal can not use it to gain access to an upper floor.

9. Check if there is a neighborhood watch group in your area. Your local police can help you get set up with one if available. If one is not in your area, consider setting one up as it will protect you and your neighbors.

If you have children that are home alone, be sure they can do all of the following for maximum home self defense.

1. Make sure the child can call 9-1-1, your area's emergency number or call the operator.

2. Be sure they can give directions to your house in case of an emergency.

3. Make sure your child can use the door, windows, locks and the alarm system if you have one.

4. Be sure they know never to let anyone into the home without asking your permission first.

5. Make sure they know not to let a caller or someone at the door know they are at home alone.

6. If they use a key to get into your home, be sure they carry it in a safe place (inside a shirt pocket or sock)- do not leave a house key under a mat or on a ledge. The use of a key hider diversion safe is a great way to make sure you key stays hidden if it must be stored outside your home. The use of a combo protected key lock box or door lock will make children entering the home much easier.

7. Teach your children not to go into their home if things do not look right- a broken window, ripped screen, or opened door.

Keeping yourself and you family safe when your at home or not requires some thought, money and time. Proper security such as an alarm system, large pepper spray, and good locks can be the difference between someone in your home and someone attempting to enter your home. Some people even go to the extrems of barred lower windows & doors, security film on windows, full surveillance systems and even panic rooms. Going overboard on security is never a bad thing and at the minimum it will give you peace of mind.