INNOVATIVE TOOLS TO STRENGTHEN THE SAFETY OF YOUR HOME AND FAMILY
The best defense is prevention.
It can be worrying to evaluate if we are safe inside and outside the home. However, the perception of being more secure inside the home remains. But it may not be practical to stay at home forever. There is no doubt that the best defense against any threat is prevention. The most effective prevention comes from knowing exactly what risks we face on a daily basis.
The idea of planning for the unexpected is complicated, because one cannot be prepared for everything; however, it is possible to deter crime with proactive measures, both inside the home and outside the home.
1. How do you keep your home safe when you are gone?
As far as home safety is concerned, you can have proactive and reactive responses. Specifically, the reactive responses will be defined by the plans that we can agree on with the family, according to the risk situation that we face such as a break-in. The proactive responses include all the actions we can take to prevent criminal activity from simply happening, such as obstructing trespassers with a fence or restricting who can find your jewelry and valuables by storing them in a safe.
2. What is home insurance?
Home insurance is a financial tool that defends against the most, because although your house may be located in a residential area with security 24/7, far from flood risks, in an area free of earthquakes, where there is no risk of hurricanes, and near all the emergency services imaginable, there are coverages that can help in case the household pet creates a disaster while simply playing around.
Home insurance can protect you from the extreme financial consequences of a pet attacking a guest, or from an injury on your property, or it may cover medical expenses. There are comprehensive insurance coverages for personal or family liability.
It is clear, then, that insuring your house should not be limited only to the building itself, but that your insurance must include coverages that protect the contents and the people who are inside it.
It is often mandated that you must buy auto insurance; however, buying home insurance is usually optional. According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), 3.5 to 4 million homes are uninsured. Homes that are obtained through a mortgage are generally insured because it is an obligation for credit, but once the terms of the mortgage expire, a significant percentage of owners may decide not to acquire home insurance.
3. How do I protect my family outside the home?
Inside the home, active protocols can be developed in the face of threats. Outside the home, activity is more unpredictable, so planning what to do in case of an emergency outside the home is more complex. Thanks to the use of technology, it is possible to share the location of your family members in real time thanks to the GPS of mobile phones. This is a good safety practice for the whole family.
In this sense, it is very important to be always alert, as the risks outside the home require adaptability and good communication.
Technology can greatly benefit the family when it directly impacts their safety. Thanks to mobile devices and the Internet, all kinds of applications and devices have been developed that allow the family to be cared for while away from home.
4. What is the most basic thing I should teach?
Always assess the safety of your way home. This is one of the most important points that must be addressed because safety and security depend heavily on it. It is common that the most direct route home is not always the safest. Planning your family's routes ahead of time will help avoid putting yourself at unnecessary risk.
Inside and outside the home, concise terminology can be designated to refer to specific threats. This will make it easier to discreetly identify a risky situation and to act accordingly without confusion or hesitation.
5. What about web security?
The security of the family online depends on the actions taken to prevent risky situations and irreversible mistakes. It is important to proactively talk with your family to establish the basic rules of website navigation. Clearly conveying the consequences is very important.
One of the scenarios in which it is most common to need solid web security is during purchases or payments over the Internet. Be sure that the page you visit offers security and confidentiality for customers. When possible, use payment services that involve trusted or certified intermediary companies so that card information is not directly given to the merchant. A good firewall and antivirus software are needed as reactive measures in case your privacy is intruded.
In Conclusion
When your child or your grandmother is reassured of their personal safety and the security of their property, they will sleep easier at night – as will you! Answering these 5 questions will enhance your safety and peace of mind for the ones you love.