In this guide we go over 10 different ways that a homeowner or individual can keep themselves safe at home, as well as some useful tips and tricks that might be of interest. We believe it’s always important to remain vigilant in any situation. Check out these 10 steps that can be followed for maximum home safety and preparedness.
10. Keep your emergency numbers ready
It's always a good rule to have the numbers of your local emergency responders, like the police station, fire department, local locksmiths, and nearby hospitals written somewhere on-hand for emergency situations. Other good emergency contacts to have are poison control centers, trusted neighbors, and nearby relatives or family friends. Make sure that any emergency contact list is legible and always in a safe, memorable spot; this can save valuable time in an emergency situation. If you are staying in a foreign country, make sure you know their emergency telephone numbers.
9. Be aware of your emergency plans
Although many people don't like to think about the worst case scenario, it's usually a good idea to have at least a basic emergency plan for the most common situations such as: fires, natural disasters, and home invasions. Make sure you always have multiple escape routes in the event of a fire, and if you aren't alone, make sure others know where to go in an emergency. It might be a good idea to prepare for natural disasters such as earthquakes, tornadoes, floods, fires, and even hurricanes, depending on your location. If you are making emergency plans for a home invasion, make sure to think out all the possible escape routes, where you could hide inside the house, plans for your family, etc. Don't be caught in an emergency situation whilst being unprepared.
8. Keep your emergency supplies safe and accessible
Time is your enemy in an emergency. Keep all emergency supplies readily available and always in the same location so they can be easily found in a crisis situation. No one wants to spend time looking for their supplies in the middle of an emergency. Keep your first aid kit and other medical supplies in a bathroom drawer or designate a closet shelf for holding emergency supplies. Keep one or more fire extinguishers throughout your home so you can ensure that it doesn't burn down if there’s a fire, perhaps in the kitchen while cooking dinner. If you live with others, make sure everyone knows how to operate the fire extinguisher. Keep one of your fire extinguishers in your kitchen under the sink, and, if you have more than one fire extinguisher, keep one on the other side of your home. Keep a flashlight or two in obvious places around the house in case your lights go out due to a power outage.
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7. Don't leave spare keys in obvious places for intruders to find
It's very common for home owners to leave a spare key hidden in their front or backyard in the event of being locked out. Some burglars go door to door checking in common spots for spare keys lying around, like under door mats, potted plants, garden rocks, etc. The best place to leave your spare key would be with a trusted neighbor or in a locked hiding place. A good example of a locked hiding place would be hiding the house key in a backyard shed, locking the shed, and hiding the shed key very well, thus adding an extra layer of security to your home.
6. Never mention that you are staying home alone
While this is especially true for kids, it also applies to adults. If you are ever alone and someone comes to your door, always be skeptical, and never tell them that you're home alone as you might seem like an easier target. If you happen to be living in an apartment building or gated community, don't let just anyone that buzzes you in. It's also a good idea to not post on social media, like Twitter or Facebook, that you're home by yourself.
5. Use an alarm system or security cameras
Having an alarm system or a security camera system can give you the early alert you might need to escape or prepare for the home invader. Security cameras allow you to see any problems that might arise around the house or surrounding property. There are multiple different types of alarm systems, so make sure you get one that works best for your needs. Some alarm systems are built for detecting intruders, while others are geared towards the homeowner's health by reading for smoke from fires, carbon monoxide, and other harmful emissions.
Check out these Tips For Installing Outdoor home Security Cameras
4. Keep all your doors and windows locked
Never take a chance with your safety when it comes to leaving doors and windows open or unlocked. Countless home invaders and serial killers have preyed upon homeowners that have inadvertently left their home open to unwelcome guests. Don't make the same fatal mistake and always keep your doors and windows locked when you can't keep an eye on them. This can be particularly important for ground floor windows and doors where intruders are most likely to gain entry. It might even be wise to install additional security hardware such as security bars on your windows, depending on where you live.
Check out these Top 10 Ways To Secure Your Home Windows
3. Don't go in your home if it appears broken into
This is a pretty solid piece of advice for staying safe. If you come home and you see a broken window or a door wide open that you remember closing, don't go in for a closer look. Call the police from a neighbor's house and wait for them to arrive and check the home for you. If you remember leaving with all the lights off, but you come home and there are lights on, then something is out of place. Try calling the house phone if you have one to see if a family member is home. Checking on the situation by yourself could be dangerous, especially if there are thieves in your home still trying to ransack the place. Don't put yourself in harm's way!
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2. Be aware of your surroundings
This might seem like pretty common knowledge, but always be aware of your surroundings, even at home. If you are staying home alone, make sure you aren't listening to music or have your TV too loud so you can still hear your surroundings. If you are on your computer playing loud video games and you can't hear someone breaking a window in the other room, it might end badly for you, as you probably wouldn't hear them sneaking up on you either.
1. Look at your home as a home invader would
Don't become a burglar by any means, but take a good look at your home from all sides. How would a burglar approach your home? Are there large windows that could be easily broken? Is the backdoor lock the same security rating as the front door? Do you have security deterrents like an alarm system, cameras, or a dog? Ask yourself all these questions and more to prepare in an appropriate manner. The more you prepare for a home invader the less of a target you become. Home invaders are lazy and they typically strike hard and fast. Most burglaries happen in under 10 minutes and more than half of them are from forced entry, like smashing a window. If you have some large windows with a bad view you could plant some large bushes in front of them to both hide your windows and act as security barriers.
Check out these Top 11 Tips For Backyard Security
Stay Safe At Home
In 2015, an estimated 2.7 million people, or nearly one percent of all persons age 12 or older in the United States, experienced one or more violent victimization’s. An estimated 10.0 million households, 7.6 percent of all households, experienced one or more property victimization’s. - Bureau of Justice Statistics
Hopefully you have found some of these tips to be useful. Remember to always be careful no matter where you are and always do your own research in advance.
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Locksmith Services Longmont is a local Longmont locksmith company. We provide lock and key services to residents and businesses throughout Northern Colorado. Our mobile locksmiths are available 24/7 for same day services in 30 minutes or less. We offer locksmith services in Longmont and the surrounding communities within a 30 mile radius, including large cities like Denver, Greeley, Loveland, and Boulder. Call or contact us anytime for assistance with lockouts, rekeying, installations, and other lock or key requirements in the Longmont, CO area.
