GUEST MELINDA LEIGH, SELF-DEFENSE INSTRUCTOR: SECURE YOUR HOME

Melinda Leigh from Attacking the Page is back today with some more safety tips. Melinda holds a 2nd degree black belt in Kenpo Karate and studies Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Melinda hosts Fight Like a Girl Southern NJ, a blog featuring effective and easy to learn self-defense for women. She’s also one of the bloggers at Attacking the Page, a blog about Martial Arts & Writing Action. You can also visit Melinda at her website. -- AP

There are many things you can do to make your home and property more secure, both when you’re home and away.  Make sure your property is well-lit, the windows and doors clearly visible.  Burglars love thick shrubs and shadowy entrances.  Lock your doors. This sounds simple, but many people neglect to lock up while they are at home. 

Single women should list their initials instead of their first names with the phone company and other utilities when possible.  Don’t post your address, phone number or other personal information on social networking sites, this includes your marital status if you’re single or the fact that your husband will be in Japan for the next two weeks.  If you have a home security system, use it.  Keep valuables in a safety deposit box. 


In addition, if you are going on vacation, make arrangements to have your lawn mowed, leaves raked or deliveries picked up.  Let a trusted neighbor know you’ll be away and when to expect you back.  Give the neighbor a phone number to contact you in case of emergency and a key. Ask the neighbor to walk through your home occasionally. Things like a broken pipe or freezer can cause a lot of damage in a short amount of time. Unplug small appliances.

If you’re leaving your car at home, park it in its usual spot.  Ask your trusted neighbor to park in your driveway.  Keep drapes and blinds in their usual positions.  Use timers on interior/exterior lights and a radio or TV to make it appear as if someone is home when you are at work or on vacation. 

Stop your newspaper and mail or get a neighbor to collect them for you. Same goes for any deliveries.  Have the same neighbor put out your trash and bring the can in as normal. 

Don’t post your plans on social network sites, announce it on your answering machine, or otherwise broadcast your upcoming absence. Tell your Facebook friends all about your trip after you're home.  It’s also a good idea to let your alarm company know you’ll be away and how to reach you.

Great tips, Melinda! Thanks so much for stopping by to share them with us. And readers, remember to post a comment to be entered into the drawing for a book from our Book Club Friday guest author.-- AP