Safety Strategies: At Home

Similar to preventing and minimizing the potentiality for acquired diseases, self-defense is a proactive approach. Violence is a crime of opportunity; and the best way to increase our safety is to neutralize these opportunities. If we can choose the quality (and quantity) of food, exercise, and rest to better our health; we can also decrease exposure to possible threats and have the necessary responses to better our safety.

We cannot control predators, but we can control our behaviors. All the basic strategies are based on awareness of yourself (e.g., what you can and cannot do), your surroundings (e.g., obstacles and safe places), and other people (e.g., who is a threat and who can help). Since no two scenarios are the same, keep in mind all three factors to devise a solution should it be necessary to deviate from a specific strategy. Many of these precautions are common sense but not always common practice. The following safety strategies are suggestions; ultimately, you will make the final decision based on your experience and judgment of the situation.

See this safety strategies as an opportunity to be prepared, not paranoid. During a crisis, we lack time to process and deal with the situation; preparedness buys us time to explore our options in the moment. Find time to assess and improve the security measures in your own home, even inexpensive methods can be significant.

THE BASICS

  • Stay alert of your surroundings:

    • Have your key out as you approach your door.

    • Don't go in the house if it looks like there's a break-in.

  • Fortify the areas that are most likely targets for entry with better lighting and/or surveillance (e.g., windows and doors, backyards)

  • Know your exits.

  • Avoid labeling your full name on your mailbox.

  • If you live in an apartment or dorm, don't hold open the main building entrance door for strangers.

 

  • • Use the peephole or a window to check outside and see if you recognize the person.

    • If there’s no way to check, you can pretend you are not home or talk to the person through the door (without opening it), and ask who they are and what they want.

    • If you can, have someone confirm that person’s identity or if they are expected.

  • • If you have an answering machine, let it go to voicemail.

    • If you ever feel uncomfortable (e.g., the caller is asking inappropriate questions) hang up and keep a note of their number so you can ignore and report it if it happens again.

    • Never give out personal information, even if the caller claims to know you, your family or is claiming to be a professional institution (e.g., government agency, bank)

    • Never tell someone you are home alone.

  • Before allowing them to work in your home:

    • Research their credibility by checking licensure and writing up a contract.

    • Check customer reviews and references.

    Once you are comfortable with hiring, take the necessary precautions:

    • Ask to see their identification.

    • Keep valuables out of sight and lock rooms that do not need to be accessed.

    • Limit distractions so you know what's going on in your home.

    • If you are unable to occasionally check in-person, monitor through a security system.

    • Check all locks and windows once workers leave.

    Be aware if workers display red flag behaviors:

    • Diverts from the job at hand (e.g. asking personal questions, not being concerned about finishing the job quickly).

    • Invasive body language (e.g., stands too close, stares at you, walks around the house freely, opens cabinets or doors without permission).

    • Wants to know if others are home and if not, when will they be expected.

  • • If you believe your home has been broken into, leave immediately first and call for help.

    • Have a method of alerting other members of your household for evacuation and plan alternative exits

    • Avoid the intruder(s); it is safer to be away (and unseen to them) than to risk your life by confronting them.

    • If you can’t leave, hide in a locked room and call 911. Stay on the phone until help arrives.

    • If you are unable to stay on the phone, dial 911 and don’t hang up; emergency services will automatically send personnel to check if there is no reply from the caller.

 
 
 
 
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

B E N J A M I N F R A N K L I N

  • • de Becker, Gavin. "The Gift of Fear." Dell Publishing. 1998.

    • Cristall, Jonathan. “What They Don’t Teach Teens: Life Safety Skills for Teens and the Adults Who Care for Them.” Quill Driver Books. 2020.

    • Larkin, Tim. "Survive the Unthinkable: A Total Guide to Women's Self-Protection." Rodale Books. 2013.

    • Tholen, Celeste. "8 Tips to Keep Your Home Safe During Home Repairs." SafeWise. Sept 2021.

    • Wright-Martell, Chris. “Self-Defense for Women: Strategies, Moves & Everyday Tactics to Gain Confidence and Stay Safe.” Morris Book Publishing. 2011.

 
Katrina Velasquez