Family Security And Safety

Family Safety

Our family is at the center of our personal universe. Most people would do almost anything for the sake of their family. That includes protecting them from known dangers and harm. This becomes increasing difficult, at times, because we live in an open society where we share public places with predators and violent criminals. The only place where we have some control over our environment is in our home. We can make our home reasonably safe by fortifying it, as necessary, to protect our families once inside. See my web page on Home Security Tips and Home Invasion Survival Tips for more information on securing your home.

Family Security Plan

Whenever your family leaves home they leave that zone of protection that you have created. The secret to keeping your family reasonable safe once they leave home is to have a family security plan. To develop a family security plan you must give careful thought to the public routines of each family member and think of ways to make them safer from the violent people in the world. The best way to accomplish this is to hold a family meeting to discuss this plan and play what if using different scenarios. For example, what if we need to use the bank ATM machine? What steps should we take to make the process safer? What if we need to go to the shopping at the mall? What precautions can we take to be safer in the parking lot? What if someone approaches to rob us while walking to our car on the street at night? What would we do and how would we react? Where would we go and who would we notify in case of emergency?

Most people have no such family plan and have not met as a family to discuss what if situations. When or if a criminal assault does occur, the family will not be prepared and will have to rely on instinct in response to the incident. What if their response instincts are wrong or their reactions inappropriate, under the circumstances? We read about these all the time in the newspaper or hear about them on television, for example, where a man tried to overpower a gunman, only to be shot and killed. We have also become aware of incidents where a child was walking home from school and was tricked into a car of a total stranger and kidnapped.

Crime Scenarios

In the following links, I have attempted to set forth some of the most common types of criminal confrontations, in the most common settings, that a family may face in their lifetime. I suggest that you hold a family meeting to discuss these scenarios and decide what steps your family should take in response to these threats. I have offered suggestions on various options that a family may choose in response to a criminal assault. The suggestions that I offer are not the only possible response, nor do I guarantee that they will be effective in all situations. Your response to any criminal assault is highly personal and depends on the physical and mental capabilities of each family member.

Article by Chris E McGoey
Reprinted with the authorization of Crime Doctor

Chris E. McGoey, CPP, CSP, CAM is an internationally known author, trainer, speaker, and professional security consultant. He is an expert in the fields of security management, crime, and loss prevention.
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