Residential
security is a critical component of any personal security program. The
following guidelines should be used in reviewing your residential security.
❑ All entrances, including service doors and gates,
should have quality locks— preferably deadbolt.
Check your:
Front
Door
Rear Door
Garage
Door(s)
Service
Door(s)
Patio
Door
Sliding
Glass Door
Gate Swimming
Pool
Gate Guest
House Door(s)
❑ Don’t leave keys “hidden” outside the home. Leave an extra
key with a trusted neighbor or colleague.
❑ Keep doors locked even when you or family
members are at home.
❑ Have window locks installed on all windows. Use them.
❑ Lock louvered windows—especially on the
ground floor.
❑ Have locks installed on your fuse boxes and external
power sources.
❑ If you have window grilles
and bars, review fire safety. Don’t block bedroom windows with permanent
grilles if the windows may be used for emergency egress.
❑ If you have burglar or
intrusion alarms, check and use
them.
❑ Keep at least one fire extinguisher on each floor, and
be sure to keep one in the kitchen. Show family members and household help how
to use them.
❑
Periodically check smoke detectors and replace batteries when necessary.
❑ Keep
flashlights in several areas in the house. Check the batteries often,
especially if you have children in your home. (They love to play with
flashlights!)
❑ A family dog can be a deterrent to criminals. But remember, even
the best watch-dog can be controlled by food or poison. Do not install separate
“doggy doors” or entrances. They also can admit small intruders.
❑ Choose a location that offers the most security. The less remote,
the safer your home will be, particularly in a neighbor-hood close to police
and fire protection.
❑ Know your neighbors. Develop a rapport
with them and offer to keep an eye on each other’s homes, especially during
trips.
❑ If you observe any unusual activity,
report it immediately to your local Law Enforcement.
❑ Establish safe family living patterns. If you
understand the importance of your contribution to the family’s overall
security, the entire household will be safer.
❑ While at home, you and your family should rehearse
safety drills and be aware of procedures to escape danger and get help.
❑ Educate family members and domestic help in the
proper way to answer the telephone at home.
❑ Vary daily routines; avoid predictable patterns.
❑ Know where all family members are at all times.
❑ Use these same guidelines while on leave
or in travel status.
Establishing a Safe haven
Follow
three basic steps in setting up a safe-haven in your home:
❑ Designate an internal room;
❑ Install a two-way communications system or telephone;
and
❑ Furnish the safe haven with an emergency kit. It is
highly unlikely you would spend more than a few hours in a safe haven; however,
the sup-plies listed below are suggested for your maxi-mum safety. Your
security officer can tell you more about how to select and secure your safe haven.
The
following is a checklist of possible safe haven supplies:
Fire extinguisher
Fresh water
5-day supply of food
Candles, matches, flashlight
Extra batteries
Bedding
Toilet facilities
Sterno stove, fuel
Shortwave or other radio
Medical/first aid kit
Other items for your comfort and leisure—a change of
clothing, books, games
