Personal Safety Zone Feb. 28, 2010

Welcome back to the Personal Safety Zone. This month I want to discuss personal safety in and around your home. There are many things we can do to improve our personal safety and the security of our belongings. Let's start with the residence and our belongings and we will end our discussion with some behavioral considerations that will ultimately keep us and our neighborhood safe.

Put large house numbers on the mailbox and if possible on the house itself. This helps in locating your home in an emergency situation. There is nothing more frustrating to responding emergency personnel than not being able to quickly identify your residence. Give special consideration to numbers that are highly reflective during hours of darkness when illuminated by lights.

Install double cylinder dead bolt locks on all exterior doors six inches above or below the present locks. If you use the deadbolt lock when you're at home, leave the key in the lock to prevent your house from becoming a firetrap. Sliding glass doors should be secured with a pin-type locking device or a bar of some type that lays in the slider track to prevent a force opening.

Special window locks that can be opened only with a key are effective, however, if you do install these locks, have a plan that guarantees access to the necessary keys in case of an emergency that requires your family to exit through these windows. Do not let your house become a firetrap while trying to protect it from burglars. Consider placing a peephole with a wide angle lens in your front door and an additional peephole 3 or 4 feet high to allow small children a vantage point.

Complete a self-security assessment of your home by walking around the exterior during the daytime and nighttime. Make note of shrubs that could hide a prowler. Look for window shades or blinds that do not appropriately block visual access into the home. Verify that adequate perimeter lights are in place to provide 360-degree coverage of the residence. A well lit property is an effective deterrent to crime in general.

Resist the urge to put a name tag on your house keys. Engrave your possessions with your driver's license number and make a written inventory. Create a comprehensive permanent property record by photographing or videoing your jewelry, antiques, art, furnishing and any additional items of value. Keep a copy of your inventory and images in a deposit box or with a family member, but somewhere away from your home. Update your inventory records regularly.

Awareness in and around your home and neighborhood is as important as ever. Pay special attention to all suspicious vehicles. Keep a pen and paper handy. If you see a prowling car in your neighborhood, take down the license number. Ask your children to be alert for suspicious vehicles while they are out and around the neighborhood.

Utilize the time leaving and returning home to identify any suspicious vehicles or activities. Street activity generated by an active neighborhood is a very good deterrent to crime. Make a point of developing even casual relationships with your neighbors. Know what they drive and notice their activity patterns. Report any suspicious vehicles to law enforcement. It is the responsibility of law enforcement to investigate not yours.

Keep garage doors closed and secured. Never leave tools around the garage or patio that may be used for prying or breaking into the residence. While away, make your home look and sound occupied. Use a timer to turn lights on and off at normal times. There are companies that offer Fake TV, a small LED device that simulates the flickering lights of a real TV. Just plug it in and set the timer. You may also have a radio playing to add to the illusion that the home is occupied.

Be proactive in your home security. Your family, neighbors and the community will all benefit from your efforts.

Be Safe...

Ed Santos is the owner/founder of Center Target Sports in Post Falls. He can be reached at (208) 773-2331 or www.centertargetsports.com.