Home Security: Get a Dog

One of the best things you can do to make your home more secure can also be one of the most fun; get a dog. It does not have to be big, expensive, or have special training. It will serve double-duty as a playmate and protector for your kids, and it is a great way to help teach them some responsibility.

Criminals like privacy and secrecy. They feel most comfortable in an environment where they will not be noticed. Do not make them feel comfortable in, or around, your home! A dog may be man's best friend, but it is something criminals prefer to avoid. Dogs bark, which draws attention. There is also the fear of being bitten -- or worse. If your home obviously has a dog on the premises, it will almost always be avoided.

We have three dogs, and got them all from the local dog pound for free. They are all between about 80 and 100 pounds. The largest is half Shepard and half Great Dane. One is a full-blood German Shepard, and the other is a full-blood Black Lab. None of them have received more than basic obedience training. They are not mean or vicious in any way. But, they do exactly what we got them to do: Play with us and the kids, and make strangers feel a little uneasy. Because of their size, people who do not know them tend to keep their distance. In truth, the only danger they pose to anyone is licking someone's ears off. But the people we want to stay away from us don't know that!

Big dogs are happiest in a big yard. We live on a hobby farm, so they have plenty of room. My oldest daughter, though, lives in an apartment. She has a much smaller dog -- about 17 pounds. While not as intimidating as its larger "cousins," it will also effectively deter would-be burglars or attackers. We know this because numerous interviews with criminals reveal that they try to avoid all dogs, whether they are large or small. So pick one that fits your circumstances.

Dogs do require maintenance. You must feed and water them. They require periodic veterinary care. And you will need to purchase a "pooper-scooper." Some of this is well within the ability of your kids to handle, after they have been properly taught how to do it. Home security is, after all, everyone's business. It takes effort, but the benefits of having a dog around are well worth it.

Be Safe -- Feel Safe

The world is becoming more dangerous and uncertain every day. Many people are increasingly concerned about their safety and security. You may be wondering how you can be safer from crime or accidents at home, at work, and while on the road. Or, how can you better secure your family against things like natural disasters or financial ruin?

There are techniques, and strategies that we can all use to become safer and more secure. Information is power -- power to preserve and improve your own life, as well as the lives of those you love. All of the information you will find here has been proven effective by law enforcement agencies, safety organizations, or other relevant experts. And if its reliability is not enough to interest you already -- it is all absolutely free!

I have no products or services to sell you. Much of what you can do for your own safety and security will not cost you a penny, and you can learn about it right here. But, there are some things, sold through other sources, that can increase your ability to protect yourself even more. The key to using them effectively is being well informed about their abilities and limitations. Even though you must spend your money elsewhere to get these products or services, you will find thorough discussions about them here as well. After all, I use many of them myself!

Note: Because the exact circumstances under which you might apply this information is beyond my control, or the control of any of my expert sources, you alone are responsible for the consequences of following the advice given here. But, if you were not willing to take responsibility for your own life, you would not be reading this blog anyway. You would be naively expecting others to provide your protection.