A home burglary and an oven fire have me thinking differently about our home. The oven fire happened in our home over a year ago (Happy Thanksgiving!). The burglary didn’t happen at our home, but to a family we know very well. I have walked around our home and thought, “What if we had a fire? What if our home was burglarized?”
In doing some research, asking some questions, and doing some reflection I learned a few things. First, if you are going to protect your home, you might as well protect for both theft and a fire (or other disaster). With that in mind, here are a few things to consider.
1. Secure home
- Doors and windows with proper locks.
- Exterior lighting with motion detectors. Do some research. Determine what style is best for your home. Do what is right for you and your neighbors. I am sure they want your home safe without a bright light shining into their living room every time a squirrel runs through the yard.
- When on vacation, your house should look lived in – light timers, no mail and newspapers sitting out, yard/snow maintenance, etc.
- Secure valuables. If you are not using valuables everyday or you are going on vacation, lock them up. Fire proof safe for documents (don’t use for storing magnetic media – may melt). Safety deposit boxes invaluable. Don’t forget to secure spare keys – you know the ones right by your door.
- Neighbors. Look out for each other. Keep each other informed.
2. Inventory list
- Whether you are dealing with the police or your insurance agent, you need to know what you own. And surprisingly, they would like proof. Simple approach is to walk around your house and video tape. The more complete approach is an inventory list.
3. Computers
- For many people, the biggest hassle and loss would be their computer. Family photographs and videos are kept on the computer. Backing them up to an external hard drive works for a disk crash. It doesn’t do any good if it is sitting right next to your computer and there is a fire or a theft. The same is true for passwords written down, saved by your browser or stored on your computer.
4. Identity protection
- Besides the confidential items on your computer there are also a number of other items to keep secure in order to protect your identity – tax returns, bank statements, passports, social security cards, etc.
Not trying to be chicken little, but if you are going to lock your doors when you leave the house you might as well put in a little more effort to make your home secure and protected.
Any other suggestions?
