That old saying that man’s home is his castle is very true. Home is where we hold everything dear to us.
Your home is a very valuable asset. It is where you keep your high-end electronics, jewelry, tools, and cash that any criminal would like the opportunity to take. Your wife and children are potential victims that could be targeted by sexual predators.
What wouldn’t you do to keep them safe? There are a number of proactive measures you can take to make your home safe, besides just having your concealed carry permit.
Security professionals use the concept of Concentric rings of security to design security systems. Concentric rings of security mean a layered defense around a certain object or place. And, as you pass through each “ring” or layer of defense the security level increases. The first layer starts at the boundary or perimeter of the site, and as you move inward additional layers or “rings” of security are provided before you get to the core of the building where the most valuable assets that you want to protect are located.
If you apply this concept of concentric rings of security to your personal home, it would look like a Target with your home at the center of the bullseye surrounded by several rings.
Suppose that you live in a two-story home in a subdivision. The first ring of security might be a fence around the perimeter of your property. An intruder would have to open the gate or hop over the fence to gain entry to your yard. Some homeowners have lights on motion sensors that would activate by movement in the yard.
The second concentric ring is the exterior of your home. An intruder may be put off if they see an alarm sign in your yard or an alarm sticker on the windows. Many homeowners have security cameras and/ or alarm systems. Did you remember to activate the alarm before leaving or going to bed? A good solid deadbolt lock on the front door and locks on the windows can also prevent entry to your home. Did you remember to lock the doors and windows?
The third ring of security for your home is your interior doors. Most people’s interior doors are not locked and often not closed. However, you should have a secure area in the home where you and your family can go.
The last ring of security is that secure room in your home. It may include a locking safe or cabinets. It could be a bedroom or home office, but it should be somewhere where you can call the police and you have access to a firearm to protect your family until police arrive.
As a criminal passes through each concentric ring of security, it should get harder for them to achieve their purpose –whether that be a robbery or physical harm. If they have jumped the fence, broken in your front door, and are outside the room where you and your family are hiding prepared to do you harm, then you need to be prepared to meet them with deadly force.
The last ring of security must always include your loaded firearm. Dial 911 and put the phone on speaker. Shout out a warning to the intruder to get out of your house, that you are in physical danger and have a gun. This way, you are letting the intruder and first responders know that you are armed and prepared to use your firearm.
Having multiple layers of security decreases the probability that a criminal will be able to gain access to your valuables and your family.
Think about how many layers of security you currently have in your home and develop your plan to stop an intruder. A combination of passive and active defenses should provide a good level of protection for you and your family.
*Featured photo courtesy of Flickr User Dennis Jarvis
Guest Post by Nancy Thorne, National Carry Academy
National Carry Academy is the nation’s premier firearm training resource for those who decide to carry a gun as part of their lifestyle. NCA offers online and in-person courses in over thirty states nationwide and provides our students with the resources necessary to obtain their conceal and carry.
