Home defense – protect your turf

The crime scene has increased to such an extent that criminals are not shy of invading the safety and privacy of homes to perpetrate crimes. A few years ago it was published that a home theft happens every 15 seconds. With this kind of a crime rate for home invasions, there is no doubt about the fact that each individual should ensure a certain amount of home defense on his own. The crime fighting departments obviously have their hands full!

It has also been discussed, with regards to home self defense that one needs to be careful about stepping over the line. The debate about where self defense stops and active assault takes over is dubious. In such matters therefore, it is only wise to take preventive actions rather than face a burglary and then later handle the consequences.

There are various aspects that you can take care of to ensure that your home is not among the higher probability list of burglars and thieves.

- Do a survey of your property and make an inventory of loose doors, cracked windows, panels that do not close and make a plan to mend them

- Keep your valuables in a safe and make sure that you do not keep any valuable pieces in areas that are visible from outside.

- Fencing your property also gives an impression that you are particular about the safety of your home and therefore resist burglars.

- If you are buying a new home, make sure that you change all the locks so that they are all new and that no one else has the key to those doors.

- You might also want to plan and plant some ‘safe’ weapons in your house. Ensure that each room has a pen. Keep air fresheners, insect sprays, hair sprays handy in rooms like the laundry, bathroom and washroom. Ensuring that you always have chili powder or pepper in the kitchen or the dining table in accessible areas also helps.

- Rather than depending on natural weapons that may or may not be effective, make sure that you invest in a home pepper spray or a stun gun. These self defense weapons are safe and detain the quarry only temporarily; enough time for you to dial a 911 or make a dash for it to protect your family and yourself.

- Prepare for any likely assault with your family. Make sure that you have a plan and that you have discussed this with your family a few times. Doing a mock practice is also not a bad idea. It will make a good game for you and your kids on a Sunday evening.

- Always make sure that you have a fool proof plan to alert the authorities, lest such an incident actually happen. Speak to your children about it and make sure that they are aware of the likelihood of such a situation.

You can probably never plan self defense completely because when the incident actually happens the shock and unexpectedness of the situation can take you by surprise. Thinking of the situation and being alert all the time can help you overcome the element of surprise. Investing time in understanding how self defense products like a pepper spray, a stun gun or a taser work can help you in ensuring the safety of your home, belongings and family.

Steve Thibeault is the owner of TBO-TECH, a company that understands your self protection needs and offers products that are practical and effective. Other than a wide range of pepper sprays, stun guns and batons, the company also provides martial arts weapons, personal alarms, hidden safes, spy gear and sporting products like slingshots and blowguns. For more information on self defense items, log on to TBO-TECH.