Protect yourself and your loved ones at the holidays
We had a strange event in our neighbourhood last weekend involving one of my children. A person we did not know pulled over at the side of the road where my one daughter was playing with a friend and started taking pictures of them. The girls had been out playing on their bikes, in daylight, after school. Normally I can see my child out front. That afternoon I couldn’t see her, nonetheless, I knew she was riding her bike, helmet on, safe on our street with a friend. But the safety I take for granted was taken away when the two girls came racing into my house to say a stranger was taking pictures of them – a grown man they didn’t know. Luckily a very alert neighbour spied the car as it slowed down and she saw him taking pictures. She raced out the front door and asked the girls if they knew the man who had pulled over near them. She had also seen him taking pictures. She asked if they knew the person, and she warned the girls to get inside.
Luckily, my daughter is fine, as is the other girl. The car sped off when he saw my neighbour come racing out the front door. Had she not been watching, I have no idea how the ending of that story would have turned out. I teach my kids safety habits. Or so I thought. When we moved to an entirely different neighbourhood I didn’t reteach everything in the context of the new neighbourhood. Now I am reinforcing home safety tips for the holiday season, and year round. I am still a bit creeped out by that whole episode last week. The police were called and they filed a report. They investigated what they could. But this whole experience taught me several things and it has me also thinking about safety. It’s important to be alert at all times, especially right now as we head towards the holiday season.
So when a safety expert contacted me this week about sharing her tips on how to stay safe, I absolutely wanted to share here as a public service. These are from Jarrett Arthur. Jarrett Arthur is one of the highest ranking female black belt instructors in the USA in Krav Magna. Jarrett has been featured as an expert on national television shows including Ellen, Access Hollywood and Good Day LA, as well as in numerous publications including Fitness Magazine and The New York Times.
Home Safety tips for the holiday season
TWELVE HOME SAFETY TIPS FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON:
1) Deadbolt locks for all exterior doors.
2) For sliding glass doors – insert a pole or pipe in the track.
3) Locks: Keep doors and windows locked at all times.
4) Timers – Put interior lights on timers so you never come home to a dark house.
5) Motion Detectors: Install motion detectors on outside lights.
6) Watch that garage doors and driveway gates close completely.
7) Trim or remove shrubs near entranceways: these make excellent hiding places.
8) Protect Yourself: Place an object near your front and back doors that could be used a weapon in an emergency, such as: a large vase, an umbrellas, a baseball bat, or golf club.
9) Know the drill: Have an emergency escape plan designed for every single room in the house. Make sure your entire family is familiar with it, and run a drill every 6 months.
10) Beware of Dogs: consider placing a large dog bowl and leash on your back porch, and hanging a visible “Beware of Dog” sign on your fence or near the front of your home.
11) Sleep with a phone on and within arms reach of your bed, even if you put it on silent.
12) Pay attention to your surroundings as you enter your home and immediately close then lock your door.
Number 11 is extremely important in my opinion. I remember in our old house having someone try to break in on a February night at around 3 a.m. Multiple men ran up and down my street, which was on a main bus route and they kicked several front doors. We had a phone near our bed. Also one afternoon before we had kids I was painting the nursery when a group of kids tried to break in. The house at that time looked like there was nobody home. (I learned then to yell out the window – “I called 911.”) Hopefully you never have cause to call the police like I have. Knowing these tips may help prevent incidents this holiday season.
FOR DISCUSSION: Have you ever been the victim of a crime?
This is not a sponsored post. I did not receive compensation. I published this because I thought my readers could use the safety tips this season.
