Home Security and Safety Tips

When you aren't used to living alone, having your spouse gone during deployment can be really scary. Suddenly you are hearing all kinds of new noises in your house, you feel like people know you are alone (and they do know if you are putting it on Facebook - or blogging about it), and things that didn't used to scare you suddenly start to. The last time my husband left for just a few days, I found myself suddenly aware that I was alone. I was okay until I went to bed at night, then my imagination went wild and I knew someone was about to break into my house! I read this ariticle I found on Pinterest that was really helpful and I thought it was important to share. 

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21 Things your Buglar Won't Tell You 
1. Of course I look familiar. I was here just last week cleaning your carpets, painting your shutters, or delivering your new refrigerator.
2. Hey, thanks for letting me use the bathroom when I was working in your yard last week. While I was in there, I unlatched the back window to make my return a little easier.
3. Love those flowers. That tells me you have taste… and taste means there are nice things inside. Those yard toys your kids leave out always make me wonder what type of gaming system they have.
4. Yes, I really do look for newspapers piled up on the driveway. And I might leave a pizza flyer in your front door to see how long it takes you to remove it..
5. If it snows while you’re out of town, get a neighbor to create car and foot tracks into the house. Virgin drifts in the driveway are a dead giveaway.
6. If decorative glass is part of your front entrance, don’t let your alarm company install the control pad where I can see if it’s set. That makes it too easy.
7. A good security company alarms the window over the sink. And the windows on the second floor, which often access the master bedroom – and your jewelry. It’s not a bad idea to put motion detectors up there too.
8. It’s raining, you’re fumbling with your umbrella, and you forget to lock your door – understandable. But understand this: I don’t take a day off because of bad weather.
9. I always knock first. If you answer, I’ll ask for directions somewhere or offer to clean your gutters. (Don’t take me up on it.)
10. Do you really think I won’t look in your sock drawer? I always check dresser drawers, the bedside table, and the medicine cabinet.
11. Here’s a helpful hint: I almost never go into kids’ rooms.
12. You’re right: I won’t have enough time to break into that safe where you keep your valuables. But if it’s not bolted down, I’ll take it with me.
13. A loud TV or radio can be a better deterrent than the best alarm system. If you’re reluctant to leave your TV on while you’re out of town, you can buy a $35 device that works on a timer and simulates the flickering glow of a real television.
14. Sometimes, I carry a clipboard. Sometimes, I dress like a lawn guy and carry a rake. I do my best to never, ever look like a crook.
 15. The two things I hate most: loud dogs and nosy neighbors.
16. I’ll break a window to get in, even if it makes a little noise. If your neighbor hears one loud sound, he’ll stop what he’s doing and wait to hear it again. If he doesn’t hear it again, he’ll just go back to what he was doing. It’s human nature.
17. I’m not complaining, but why would you pay all that money for a fancy alarm system and leave your house without setting it?
18. I love looking in your windows. I’m looking for signs that you’re home, and for flat screen TVs or gaming systems I’d like. I’ll drive or walk through your neighborhood at night, before you close the blinds, just to pick my targets.
19. Avoid announcing your vacation on your Facebook page. It’s easier than you think to look up your address.
20. To you, leaving that window open just a crack during the day is a way to let in a little fresh air. To me, it’s an invitation.
21. If you don’t answer when I knock, I try the door. Occasionally, I hit the jackpot and walk right in.
 
Here’s an idea…
Put your car keys beside your bed at night.
If you hear a noise outside your home or someone trying to get in your house, just press the panic button for your car. The alarm will be set off, and the horn will continue to sound until either you turn it off or the car battery dies. This tip came from a neighborhood watch coordinator. Next time you come home for the night and you start to put your keys away, think of this: It’s a security alarm system that you probably already have and requires no installation. Test it. It will go off from most everywhere inside your house and will keep honking until your battery runs down or until you reset it with the button on the key fob chain. It works if you park in your driveway or garage. If your car alarm goes off when someone is trying to break into your house, odds are the burglar/rapist won’t stick around. After a few seconds all the neighbors will be looking out their windows to see who is out there and sure enough the criminal won’t want that. And remember to carry your keys while walking to your car in a parking lot. The alarm can work the same way there. This is something that should really be shared with everyone. Maybe it could save a life or a sexual abuse crime.
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  Here's some more tips I've picked up along the way:

• If you have neighborhood watch or police officers that patrol your neighborhood regularly, let them know your spouse is deployed at ask that they keep an extra eye on your house. Police officers are often willing to drive down your street a couple extra times. 
• Own a weapon. Be it a baseball bat, a knife, mace, a tazer or a gun, get one and know how to use it. Chances are you won't have to, but knowing it's there can help you rest at night. 
• Take a self-defense class. 
• Carry mace or a taaer on your key chain. 
• Don't get close to your car without looking underneath it and in your seats. Often predators will hide under cars and slash your ankles, or wait for you in your car (they can get in even if you lock it)
• Take precaution walking alone at night. If you are approached, scream and put up a huge fight, attackers often think it's not worth the trouble.
• Don't believe that you are a victim. You are strong and capable. Learn how to defend yourself. Educate yourself and don't be naive.
• Get a dog (I have two 90lb Pitbull/Mastiff mixes, they are amazing and bark at the slightest noise)
• Get an alarm system installed.
• Don't answer the door if you don't know who it is. Use your peephole. Even people talking about Jesus may be trying to scope out you and your house to come back later. I hate to be that cynical, but it happens.
• Get a safety deposit box. I just got one at my bank. They are easy to get and cost about $50 annually.
• Leave porch lights on in front and back all night. Keeping your house well lit is important to neighbors can see if there is anything suspicious going on around your house at night.
• When you leave your house or go out for the evening, make sure you tell a friend or family member where you are going, the number of who you will be with, and that you will text them when you get home. It may sound silly to do, but if live alone and know one know you left, no one will worry if you don't come home.

More Safety Tips:
Safety Tips for Women
Safety Mistakes You Never Considered and Lifesaving Tips
About Sexual Assault: Mil One Source
Basic Safety Tips