{"id":105737,"date":"2019-02-07T13:46:52","date_gmt":"2019-02-07T18:46:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/digest\/?p=105737"},"modified":"2019-02-07T13:46:52","modified_gmt":"2023-09-05T19:07:33","slug":"harden-up-your-home-with-these-important-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/harden-up-your-home-with-these-important-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"Harden Up Your Home With These Important Tips"},"content":{"rendered":"\"Harden<\/a>\n

Editor\u2019s Note:\u00a0<\/strong>The following is a syndicated article by author Anthony Lambert that first appeared in USCCA\u2019s Concealed Carry Magazine Volume 14, Issue 7, October 2017 under the title, \u201cHarden Up\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Imagine you\u2019re in your home in a deep sleep when the sound of shattering glass shakes you awake. You look at your clock \u2014 2 a.m. You hear the soft murmurs of people in your home, and you don\u2019t recognize the voices. What do you do?<\/p>\n

How do most people react to a situation they are not expecting or one where they are totally unaware of what is happening? If you watch your local news and listen to people\u2019s responses, they typically say, \u201cI can\u2019t believe this happened\u201d or, \u201cI saw it happening and I just froze.\u201d<\/p>\n

We should feel safe in our home. It is our property, our domain, our castle. Unfortunately, times are changing, and some think they\u2019re entitled to whatever (and whoever) they want. I always instruct my students to prepare for the worst-case scenario, not the best. Even if you plan well, it\u2019s easy to overlook or totally miss something.<\/p>\n

Keep in mind that you must always be flexible, and you must always adapt to your situation, because the situation will never adapt to your plans.<\/p>\n

Uninvited Guests<\/h2>\n

I would hope none of my readers ever have to deal with a home invasion. I have friends whose homes were invaded, and they tell me it\u2019s something they\u2019ve not yet totally gotten over \u2014 even after 10 or more years.<\/p>\n

One of them was so affected by the event that he and his family sold their dream home and moved within city limits so they could have faster police response. At the time of the attack, they lived just 3 miles outside the city limits in an unincorporated township, so the local sheriff was responsible for responding to their call. That response time was 45 minutes.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m not blaming the local law enforcement \u2014 they have a tough job policing our communities already \u2014 but it should really make you stop and think about your own responsibility for your safety and the safety of your family.<\/p>\n

What would you do were you to realize there was an intruder in your residence and your alarm system\u2019s piercing wail was so loud that you could hardly think?<\/p>\n

I think prevention is the key to good medicine. If you can prevent unwanted people from getting into your home and harming you or your family, you will not have to perform any lifesaving measures in the first place. Let\u2019s look at some of the most important factors of home-defense protocol.<\/p>\n

Outside lighting<\/h2>\n

Light up all areas, especially entrances. Motion-detector-activated lights do wonders for dark areas of the yard.<\/p>\n

Landscaping<\/h2>\n

Cut back any bushes or trees that create large shadows, as shadows are great hiding places for potential intruders. Plant thorny bushes near ground-level windows.<\/p>\n

Secure All Entry Points<\/h2>\n

Remember, doors and windows are all easy avenues to gain access to your home. Ensure they are kept locked; I even recommend installing deadbolt locks on all exterior doors. Inexpensive but effective window alarms are available from many different retailers.<\/p>\n

Consider a Safe Room<\/h2>\n

Depending on the layout of your home, you might even want to scheme out a safe room. Whatever you do, make sure it makes sense. If you live in a multi-level house, you might want to establish a safe room on each level. Use a solid door with a deadbolt lock and floor jack. (Most interior doors are hollow-core, so this could require some retrofitting.)<\/p>\n

After you\u2019ve decided that you\u2019re taking the safe room route, make a list of what you\u2019ll need in each and include backups in case of emergency. Remember, two is one and one is none. Consider the following:<\/p>\n