A Home Security Professional's Guide to Home Safety

Home safety is always a hot topic. It has come to the forefront again with the recent slaying of Washington Redskins player Sean Taylor. The story of Taylor's tragic death is really a common occurrence. It has only made the main stream media because Taylor was a star player for the Washington Redskins. For those of you that don't know the story, Sean Taylor was murdered in his home in front of his family. Taylor and his family were awakened in the night by sounds. Taylor got up to investigate. He took a machete that he kept under his bed with him. When he confronted someone in his house he was shot in the leg. He died the next day.

It should come as no surprise that this happens more often than people think. As a police officer I respond to calls on a weekly basis where people have confronted someone who has broken into their homes. Sometimes it occurs just as it happened with Sean Taylor, other times people come home and interrupt a crime that is in progress. Most times the criminal will run out of the house, but other times the act turns violent. This can be because the criminal has a weapon or the victim has a weapon. Either way, when weapons become involved it will usually end badly. I am in no way advocating repealing the 2nd amendment. Protecting yourself is every Americans right and I fully support that, I am just noting that when a gun is involved there can be no happy ending. Even when the person killed is the criminal, the person that pulled the trigger has to live with that.

There are many ways to protect yourself and these are just some of them. By implementing these tips you can keep your home safe and secure and should someone break into your home, some of them can keep your family safe during this scary event.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION:

The area around your home is the first place you can start in protecting you home. Trim overgrown bushes back and all bushes should be below the window line. Bushes that are overgrown give a criminal a great place to hide from the view of your neighborhoods or the police that patrol your neighborhood. Lighting is also very important. Let your city know if street lights are out. The street lights are a great source of lighting that deters crime. Motion detection lights around your house are also an excellent deterrent. Don't make them so sensitive that they go off every-time a car drives by, set them so they come at approximately one foot inside your property line.

SAFE ROOMS:

One of the best things you can do is create a safe room. They can be basic and done for a minimal cost or can be elaborate and expensive. A basic room can be a bedroom or closet. All you need to do is put a steel security door in place of the current door. The door should be securable from the inside only. Be sure to attach a keyless deadbolt lock that can only be unlocked from the inside. Adding a security bar is also an option. I would personally make the bedroom a safe room. Be sure you have access to a phone in your safe room as well.

HOME SECURITY:

There are many options for home security. They can be professionally installed or basic do-it-yourself methods. Professional installation would involve a home alarm system along with security cameras and additional add-ons. The do-it-yourself method just involves time and a little money. A must are deadbolt locks on all doors, security bars are also an option. Metal bars on the windows are also an option, but many people don't like the appearance. It is just what is more important to you, safety or appearance. If you don't want bars then security bars can also be placed on windows. Inexpensive contact alarms can be placed on doors and windows. They are not as elaborate as the home alarm system, but they do the same thing. A dog can be a excellent home protection system. I don' mean a poodle either. A large dog such as a German Shepard can be a great deterrent. If the dog is trained for protection then that makes it that much more valuable, but just a having a large dog can work as well.

PERSONAL PROTECTION:

Owning a gun is the right of everyone, but this right has responsibility. If you are going to own a gun go through a certified instruction course. Be sure you know the weapon inside and out and practice with it regularly. As a police officer we train with our weapons regularly and we have to qualify with them every quarter. If you own a gun then should know how to use it. Keep the gun locked up if you have children. More kids are injured by playing with daddies gun than most people realize. You can't afford a gun safe then get a gun lock. Keep the gun and ammunition stored separately if you can't afford a safe. And finally, you better be prepared to use it. If you pull a gun then you better have the mindset that you know you can pull the trigger.

Home safety is very important and should be something that every person thinks about. By taking precautions and being prepared you can have a safe home for your family and yourself.