As was mentioned in the part 1 of this article, I believe every family should have a security plan. Now before the idea of this over whelms you, let me explain.
Most of us have done more than one thing this past week having to do with security. Having a security plan only focuses your attention and helps you to look closer at what you do as a family. Have you ever asked someone to pick up your mail, or stopped your newspaper while on vacation? This is security. Have you developed a place to go in case of fire in your home? This is not only safety but security. Most of us practice this regularly.
I hope this list will help you to develop your own family security plan. (see blog Personal and Family Security, 5/25/2014)
Home security (see blog Home Security While You Are Away, 5/29/2014 and Defense in the Home: Home Invasion, 6/23/2014)
Check exterior doors to ensure locks work. Consider adding a lock. There are many striker plates and other ways of fortifying your doors. Choose a door that doesn’t have glass in it. Hopefully your home doesn’t have windows next to the door, but if it does, fortify that window so that it can’t be broken easily to access to the lock. If you drill a hole slightly larger than a large finishing nail in the back of your door, then place a finishing nail sticking out about ¼ inch so that it goes into the hole when it’s closed. This will keep the door in the frame even if the hinge pins are removed.
Check windows. Window locks are notoriously weak. There are simple things you can do depending on the design of your window. A dowel in the slide channel will keep it from opening. There are also locks that limit how much the window will open.
Lock out door electrical panels. If there is a way to lock your telephone box do so.
Keeps gates locked.
Lock sheds and attic entrances if you have access from outside your house.
If you have a freezer you keep outside, ensure it is locked for security and safety reasons.
Check vegetation around your home. Keep bushes trimmed especially under and around windows. Don’t give a burglar a place to hide. If you have tall bushes or shrubs, trim the bottom so someone hiding behind will be visible. If you live in a climate that will grow cactus, consider a cactus or other thorny vegetation under your windows.
Consider an alarm system and use it even when you are home.
Lock your doors when you are home.
When you are on vacation use timers for lights and a TV. Have someone collect mail and newspapers. Perhaps you could park a car in your driveway.
We have spare keys we have hidden in case we are locked out. These keys are not in an obvious place. We pull these keys when we are away for an extended period of time.
Keep blinds and curtains drawn especially at night.
Use peep holes and do not let anyone enter you haven’t confirmed should be there, or that you do not know.
If you buy a new big screen TV don’t leave the large box in front of your house near the trash can for all the world to know what you just purchased. In fact, don’t broadcast any expensive purchases in your trash. Use a shredder for any mail that has your account numbers, phone number, or other important information. (see blog Family Security: Talkin' Trash, 7/17/2014)
Hide or lock up items that you don’t use all the time that are or worth. Take pictures or video of your valuables. Write down serial numbers and use an engraver to etch information that will identify these items as yours. Get a safe or lock box for important papers and documents.
Use security lighting and a camera to keep surveillance on your property.
Have a safe room, a place you can go to call for help and defend if need be.
We have a weapon hidden in various places in our home. We have trained safety and the proper use of these weapons. The weapons are also kept away from little children if they should visit.
On our property we have created choke points to funnel vehicles or people so that we may defend our house if need be. There are little things you can do without creating a fortress looking home. Be creative and use large rocks, thorny vegetation, or hidden obstacles to keep vehicles from getting to close to your home. Set up some kill zones if you can.
Know the difference between cover and concealment. If possible, provide yourself some cover. (see blog What Cover Is and Is Not: Don't Die, 6/6/2014)
Car and Travel Security (see blog Avoiding a Carjacking, 5/28/2104)
Situational Awareness. For safety and security sake, be aware of what is going on around you. Lock you car when you are away from it and when you are in it. Don’t leave your keys. Hide valuables. Check the back seat before you enter a car even if you have locked it.
Avoid bad areas, but if you must go there, be aware and have a plan.
Windshield sun shields and window tint not only block the sun, but they can block prying eyes.
Have your keys in your hand when before you get to your car.
When driving avoid confrontation with other drivers. Be a courteous driver.
Don’t let yourself get boxed in by vehicles and be especially vigilant at stop lights.
If followed by a vehicle drive to a police station or fire station. Even a well lit and heavily populated area would be better. Do not go home.
When going into a gas station or store, look to see what is happening inside. Only go to places at night that are well lit and you are able to see into the front of the store.
Family Security
Train your family to be aware of their surroundings.
Train your family in self-defense. Choose a reality based training. Hand to hand, weapons, lethal and non-lethal should be included. You know you’re children and what they can handle and when. Make sure they have the maturity to use this training wisely.
With your children develop a security word that anyone not their parents must use to pick up or transport your children. This would only apply in an unusual circumstance. If you work out car pooling or other transportation for your kids, you need not use the security word.
Have a place to meet in case of fire near you home, and another place in case of disaster.
Have a emergency contact person or family away from your home and away from your state in case of disaster.
Your little children should know your name, phone number, and address.
Your children should know how to call 9-11 and what to say. Have emergency numbers along with your address near phones.
Practice fire and other evacuation drills occasionally in your home. It’s a good Family Home Evening lesson.
Have a 72 hour kit to bug out (evacuate) in case of disaster.
Be prepared to bug in, in case of disaster. Have preparedness items and food and water.
Share all these plans with your entire family. Explain that this plan is not to scare anyone, because if you are prepared you won’t fear. If this is a way of life, it won’t be a scary thing for children. Start small and work these things into your lives.
In the next installment we will finish this list and give some final thoughts.
Semper Paratus
Burn
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