Tips to keep your home safe

Your home should not be seen as only your biggest asset, but also where you spend the most of your time with your family. There are countless ways in which our home might not be safe as we think and recent world events may have us feeling especially concerned about our home and family’s safety. […]

Your home should not be seen as only your biggest asset, but also where you spend the most of your time with your family. There are countless ways in which our home might not be safe as we think and recent world events may have us feeling especially concerned about our home and family’s safety.

There are recorded crimes everywhere in the country that call for action, be it local communities or big cities. The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in its Crime Statistic, 2016 reported on its website, stated that the FCT, Abuja and Lagos State reported a total of 58,566 crimes.

According to bestlifeonline.com, there are things we can do to help keep our homes and families safe. There are a lot of practical things we can teach our children and others about being safe at home. It is very important not only to tell but also to practicalise the safety tips yourself.

Some tips to guide children:

–     Teach your children not to open the front door. Teach them to be polite when anyone knocks and then call on parents or anyone in the house. Let them know their home address and telephone number and parents’ full names. Teach your child when and how to dial and request help from emergency services.

–  Develop a memorable family code word that is only to be given to family members or trusted friends for your children in your absence. Teach your children that they are never to leave with anyone who can’t say the secret code.

–     Teach them to listen to that little voice that tells them something is not right, and to trust it. Tell them that sometimes adults may make them feel uncomfortable and that it is always okay for them to move away or leave immediately, and to tell a trusted adult what happened. Assure them of your support always.

–  Making your home safe from intruders

General Tips:

–   Make your home look occupied at all times. Leave security light on when you go out. Leave a pair of shoes by the front door.

–    Get a dog. Your dog is more than just man’s best friend but also your best asset when it comes to protecting your home. Most burglars don’t want to tussle with an animal if they gain entrance to a home, so having a dog, a doorbell that sets off a barking dog sound, or just “Beware of Dog” signs can help keep your property safe

–   Keep trees and bushes around your home trimmed so that they do not provide hiding spaces for intruders.

–    Get to know your neighbours, good neighbours will be on the lookout for unusual activity and are great for putting out bins and emptying the letterbox when you’re away.

–   Check that all doors and windows are locked before you leave the house or go to bed.

–  Even when you are at home, keep external doors locked.

–    Avoid keeping spare keys in obvious hiding places outside your home. Leave them with a neighbour if possible.

–    Ensure that driveways, pathways, and entry points to you home have adequate lighting. Install motion sensor lights on the exterior of your home.