Feeling Safe and Secure (yet frugal)

We all want our homes to be secure and we want to feel safe in them.  It doesn't matter where you live or what you have - IT'S YOURS!  You work hard for your stuff and no one else has a right to it.

There are many different areas here in the U.S. where people live (probably called different things else where). 
INNER CITY - in town of a large municipality.  Used to not be the most desired place to live and was mostly commercial.  Now things are changing in many big cities, and they are becoming the IT place to live.
URBAN NEIGHBORHOODS - just outside the city.  Lot's more homes, but still a lot of commercial buildings. (where we live)
SUBURBS - well outside the city and used to be mainly quiet neighborhoods.  Was always very desirable.  Now more and more business and shopping malls are popping up in these areas.
RURAL - country life.  Farmers thrived in these areas.  No industry other than farming.  Was considered the safest place to be.

TODAY - actually no place is safe.  Gangs, thugs, drugs, and criminal activity is every where - even in the country.
It is very sad and very frustrating.  We all need to be aware of our surroundings at all times, and we all need to secure our property against loss. 
It truly ticks me off that people work so hard to take what is not theirs.  If they worked as hard at something productive this world would be a much better place.

PERSONAL SAFETY
*  Always be aware.  When out shopping - be keenly aware of your surroundings.
*  Keep Mace or pepper spray with you.  I know a couple gals that wear a whistle around their neck,   and blow like crazy if they feel threatened! You can also set off your car alarm with key fob.
*  If you are comfortable with it - carry a weapon (do it legally)
*  Keep your vehicle locked - whether your in or out of it
*  Try to keep your keys, money, and charge cards/license in your pockets while out shopping.  If someone steals your handbag, at least you can get home and have your important stuff

HOME SAFETY/SECURITY
*Keep your doors/and windows locked when not at home (and close the curtains/blinds)
*Keep your doors locked, even when home
*If you don't want or can't afford a security system - put up a sign that says you have one!  It might deter someone.  You can also buy thin gray tape and place on windows that looks like security tape
*Place a Beware of Dog sign on your property!  You don't have to have a dog.
*Put a large dog bowl and leash by the front door - it looks as if there is a dog living there
*Keep bushes totally trimmed from in front of windows.  Don't give a thief a place to hide!
*Get motion lights for home - aim them at your doors or garage/shed
*Keep something at your ready that you can protect yourself with
*Think about installing security cameras - they can be installed easily at home nowadays and are getting cheaper by the day - you can monitor them via your computer

YOUR STUFF
Keep your extreme valuables in a safety deposit box at your bank.  You can get a small box for little money per year.
Keep others valuable items in very unlikely places - REMEMBER:  Crooks know all the usual hiding spots!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is important - Keep a log of ALL the serial numbers of weapons, computers, TV's, and technology devices and ANYTHING that can be picked up and taken!!!!  This is VERY important!  this helps police track your items.

This is important - Take PICTURES of your valuables,  There is no way your can accurately describe that ring, or gun or computer or antique with enough info to trace it.  A picture is worth a 1.000 words!!!!  It is so totally accurate and will help the police locate your items.

Take pictures and video if you can.  Video the inside of cabinets, drawers, closets, hutches, etc.  You have no idea have much stuff your REALLY have until you need to list it.  This is so very important for NATURAL DISASTERS.  Total loss can happen in the blink of an eye - how do you possibly remember everything you have?  You can't!
Store these videos and pics on a thumb drive (flash drive) or digital card at ANOTHER location.  You can keep it at the bank, at your parents home, or the home of a trusted family member or friend.

In past years we have had 2 family members lose their homes due to fire.  Most everything was a loss.  It was almost impossible to remember what they had for insurance purposes.  They remembered some items months and even years later.

Try to keep copies of important papers (insurance, wills, licenses, vehicle registrations, etc.) in digital form on your computer.  Get a scanner if necessary.  The cost will be worth it. (They aren't very expensive)
We have ALL important items like that scanned into our computer as well as all the family pictures.  We also have pictures of our valuables.  These have all been saved on a thumb drive (flash drive).


Folks you work hard for what you have.  It doesn't matter how much stuff or money (or how little) you have - it is YOURS. 
You can spend a little money - with a scanner, disks for camera, thumb drives, Mace, a sign or two, even motion lights to give you peace of mind.

We all need to be PREARED FOR ANYTHING!  In this day and age - there is nothing that is safe or sacred to others.  The weather can change in a moment and destroy your home.   So many things can happen.
I would sure hate it for you - if you didn't have some security and peace in your lives.


PRAY FOR THE BEST IN LIFE - AND PREPARE FOR THE WORST
Stay safe my friends.