| Home self defense could be the difference between | | | | padlock to secure it to a fixed object so a criminal can |
| life and death. With threats such as home invasions | | | | not use it to gain access to an upper floor. |
| and burglaries you can't risk not being prepared. Some | | | | 9. Check if there is a neighborhood watch group in |
| simple steps can keep you, your family and your | | | | your area. Your local police can help you get set up |
| property safe from potential threats. | | | | with one if available. If one is not in your area, consider |
| Home Self Defense Tips To Make Your Home | | | | setting one up as it will protect you and your neighbors. |
| Secure | | | | If you have children that are home alone, be sure they |
| 1. Make your home look like someone is always living in | | | | can do all of the following for maximum home self |
| it. Keeping curtains closed in the day can give the | | | | defense. |
| impression that the house is empty. Placing your lights | | | | 1. Make sure the child can call 9-1-1, your area's |
| on a timer when you are not home so the lights | | | | emergency number or call the operator. |
| automatically turn on when it becomes dark is a great | | | | 2. Be sure they can give directions to your house in |
| way to appear home when your not. | | | | case of an emergency. |
| 2. Install deadbolts on all doors that lead to the outside. | | | | 3. Make sure your child can use the door, windows, |
| Be sure any lower level windows are also securely | | | | locks and the alarm system if you have one. |
| locked. Door and window alarms are a cheap way to | | | | 4. Be sure they know never to let anyone into the |
| alert you when a door or window is opened. | | | | home without asking your permission first. |
| 3. To help prevent home invasion or to help defend | | | | 5. Make sure they know not to let a caller or someone |
| against it - purchase a large self defense spray to | | | | at the door know they are at home alone. |
| keep close to each door. | | | | 6. If they use a key to get into your home, be sure |
| 4. When leaving town be sure to put your mail on hold | | | | they carry it in a safe place (inside a shirt pocket or |
| and stop newspaper or milk deliveries. Cutting your | | | | sock)- do not leave a house key under a mat or on a |
| lawn is also a great idea right before you leave town. | | | | ledge. The use of a key hider diversion safe is a great |
| This continued activity will make it appear you are | | | | way to make sure you key stays hidden if it must be |
| home. | | | | stored outside your home. The use of a combo |
| 5. Keep bushes and other foliage cut back to prevent | | | | protected key lock box or door lock will make children |
| burglars or possible assailants from hiding in them. | | | | entering the home much easier. |
| 6. Keep valuable items like high end TVs away from | | | | 7. Teach your children not to go into their home if |
| windows and doors where passer byes can easily | | | | things do not look right- a broken window, ripped |
| view them. Move these items to more discreet | | | | screen, or opened door. |
| locations. | | | | Keeping yourself and you family safe when your at |
| 7. Consider installing a monitored burglar alarm with | | | | home or not requires some thought, money and time. |
| panic buttons throughout your home. These are a | | | | Proper security such as an alarm system, large pepper |
| great way to protect yourself while you are home and | | | | spray, and good locks can be the difference between |
| protect your home while you are out. DIY auto dialers | | | | someone in your home and someone attempting to |
| are now an affordable alternative to a professional | | | | enter your home. Some people even go to the |
| alarm system and they will call the numbers you pre | | | | extrems of barred lower windows & doors, |
| program. | | | | security film on windows, full surveillance systems and |
| 8. Be sure to lock your shed and garage with a good | | | | even panic rooms. Going overboard on security is |
| lock and keep tools locked up so they can not be | | | | never a bad thing and at the minimum it will give you |
| used to break into you home. If you have a ladder | | | | peace of mind. |
| around your home, make sure you use a chain and | | | | |