How is Your Personal Homeland Security?

Lock your doors! A new wave of home invasions has taken us by surprise.

One USA Today article quotes law-enforcement and security experts who say home invasions are becoming an alarming trend in the U.S.

According to the most recent FBI data, residential robberies, which include home invasions, rose nearly 13% in 2006 from 2002, even as violent crime overall decreased 0.4%. Last year, 64,000 residential robberies were reported.”

Why?

Since stores, banks and offices are better equipped with video surveillance, alarms and guards, robbers are going for the softer targets. Our homes!

A Wall Street Journal article further explains, “In home-invasion robberies . . . thieves hope to confront the occupants, often intending to force victims to open a safe or divulge bank-card PIN numbers. . . . “

In addition, home invasions are “extremely painful” crimes, says a research director at the National Crime Prevention Council. “Your sanctuary, your home is being violated at the same time you’re being violated personally.”

Now you’re wondering, “What can I do to safeguard myself against a home invasion?” From one Insurance blog we discover several steps to help you prevent a home invasion.

•Regardless of where you live, play down your public profile. You raise your chances of being cyberstalked when you blurt out too much detailed personal information about yourself on the internet.

•Whether you live in an apartment or a home, do not accept unscheduled deliveries. To prevent surprise deliveries, have your packages sent to a post office or your work office.

•keep your cool about your money and possessions when you’re out in public. If you like to boast about your finances, how many cars you own or what kind of jewelry your wife has, you’re setting yourself up as a mark.

•be eyes and ears to anyone who might be following you home. Make safe, but unexpected turns on your way home and see if the car behind you is in hot pursuit. If so . . . head to the nearest police station.

•keep your window shades closed at night. Open windows with a well lit home or apartment provides a would-be criminal enough information to assess his chances of a successful home invasion.

•keep track of the background of anyone who has access to your home such as caretakers, gardeners and workers. Know who you allow into your house.

•never make it obvious you’re the only one at home. The fewer occupants at home, the easier the robber’s job becomes. Keep extra lights on. Use a TV or radio to create the illusion of several individuals at home.

If I ended up scaring you, you missed my point. Security for our families is in our hands and is manageable. To do nothing and cower when you hear of a home invasion in the neighborhood makes us defenseless victims.

Be a “take charge person” when it comes to your loved ones and the precious sanctuary you call “home.”

Stay safe,

John

Email: johnsblog@teshmedia.com

Comments

[Ashley Blaco]

Hey I really enjoy the info keep it on rolling.
Thanks Ashley