Keep Your Home Safe

Author: Shannon Miller

We talk a lot about health and fitness as part of an overall healthy lifestyle. However, there are things beyond our control that can threaten our health by attacking our personal safety.

This is such an important topic that I will be posting a series of articles on personal safety and women’s self defense in the coming weeks. For starters, let’s check out some pointers from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office on keeping your home safe from burglars.

Who are the victims?

I AM, YOU ARE, EVERY MAN WOMAN AND CHILD IS A POTENTIAL VICTIM

Who is the assailant?

HE IS, SHE IS, THEY ARE, EVERYONE IS A POTENTIAL ASSAILANT

Safety At Home:

  • DO NOT leave keys in a “secret” hiding place. Everyone knows the secret. Leave keys with a trusted neighbor or friend if necessary.
  • Keep your house keys and car keys on a separate key ring or on a detachable ring. Many successful burglars will conspire with parking lot attendants to have keys duplicated while the car is parked.House key on a seperate ring for safety.
  • Keep your drapes shut at night, especially if your home is accessible from the street. If a potential assailant sees you at home alone, he is more likely to enter the house.
  • Keep lights on in at least two rooms. Have doorways and driveways lit at night. Have motion sensitive lights installed around the perimeter of your house.
  • If you return home to find windows or doors open, DO NOT enter the house. Call police or 911 from a neighbor’s house or your cell.
  • Install a burglar alarm if possible. If not, keep your car keys next to the bed and set off your car alarm if necessary.
  • Put out Beware of Dog signs and back it up with a large barking dog if possible.

Apartment/Condo Living:

  • For those that have front security doors, do not allow strangers into the building if they do not have a key.
  • Be alert when using the laundry facility and basement garages.
  • Insist that the manager provide ample lighting in entrances, hallways and garages.

Personal Safety information provided by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office

TIP:  Check out these other articles in my continuing series on self defense and personal safety:

Women’s Self Defense

Be Alert, Stay Alive! Parking Lot Safety

Keep Safe While Out and About

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