Lynne Finch - The Home Security Handbook: Expert Advice for Keeping Safe at Home

Copyright 2014 by Lynne Finch

All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner without the express written consent of the publisher, except in the case of brief excerpts in critical reviews or articles. All inquiries should be addressed to Skyhorse Publishing, 307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018.

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available on file.

Cover design by Owen Corrigan

Print ISBN: 978-1-62873-742-4

Ebook ISBN: 978-1-62914-103-9

Printed in China

For Nichole, a loving friend who was wonderfully supportive and will be missed.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1:
INTRODUCTION

TABLE OF FIGURES

FOREWORD

I f you knew me well you would realize I almost never read a book in detail. My time is too short. Instead, I look for material that is clearly written in a manner that I can act on. I look at chapter titles that contain information that I can directly, and immediately use. I am very picky about the material I spend time reading simply because I just dont have time to waste! My years of life have taught me that simple, easy-to-read, material is faster to act on, and action on any resource (outside of the world of fiction) is key!

The Home Security Handbook is the second title by Lynne Finch that I have read (the first being Taking Your First Shot , a must read for any shooter, especially females), and the one thing that stands out the most was the fact that I immediately began to scan for and find tidbits of information I could personally use, right then. My point may not become apparent until you realize that I am a former police officer, federal law enforcement instructor, author of two training books, one on defensive shooting and one on competitive shooting, numerous training DVDs of my own, and co-host of The Best Defense on The Outdoor Channel, a show that focuses almost entirely on armed, unarmed, and environmental safety. I am supposed to be an expert at this stuff, and I have access to a huge and very broad base of highly qualified people while filming the show.

And here I am, reading Lynne Finchs book and absorbing the material like it was new to me! Thinking I can use some of these tips on The Best Defense ! The book reminds me about what I thought when I met Lynneshe is direct, polite, intensely analytical, and more importantly knows her stuff. After we met she sent me her first book. After getting Taking Your First Shot , I scanned the chapters and immediately began to jump to bits of information that I wanted to read. I was pleasantly surprised; this was a woman who got it right! It is an incredible rarity to find such knowledge and passion about shooting coming from a female outside of the competitive shooting world.

The book you are holding in your hands is filled with information. More importantly, that information is well researched, actionable, and may save your life. I always liked to tell my graduating students in my firearms classes at the Federal Air Marshal training center that the information we had given them was useless unless they took the responsibility to use it (continue to train) correctly. Read this book. Act on the information presented within it. Take responsibility for your own safety, because ultimately, the only real self-defense is individual. Please dont make the horrible assumption that it can only happen to someone else... its a mistake you cant rewind when the wolf is at your door or worse yet, inside it!

Mike Seeklander

Former US Marine, Law Enforcement Officer,

Federal Air Marshal, and Federal Firearms Instructor

Co-Host of Outdoor Chanel series The Best Defense

Owner of Shooting-Performance LLC

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

I ve been studying personal defense and safety for many years and more recently began teaching and writing about unarmed and armed personal defense and shooting. This book focuses on ideas to make your home safer, whether you rent or own, as well as ways to keep yourself and your family safer at home and away. It doesnt matter if you are blocks away at the grocery store or hundreds of miles away on vacation, there are things you can do to help you be aware and to stay safe. Well also look at the option of firearms for home defense, including selection, ammunition, and safe storage. For more information on learning to shoot and carrying a firearm outside the home look for my book Taking the First Shot from Skyhorse Publishing.

The world we live in has become very unpredictable, but there are things you can do to keep the odds in your favor. Being prepared is your best defense against something bad happening. Reading and implementing some of the strategies in this book is the first step on your path to making you, and your family, more secure.

Be safe.

Lynne

CHAPTER 2

REINFORCING YOUR HOME

T here are many things you can do to make your home more secure. Most are low cost options that are not permanent and work equally well in a rental property or a home you own. Lets start with easy ideas to make a rental more securethese can apply to any home.

EXTERIOR DOORS AND WINDOWS

Keys: First, and maybe most important, you dont know how many sets of keys may be out there, especially if you are in a large apartment complex. Ask that your unit be rekeyed (the lock changed so old keys dont fit anymore) before you move in. If you are there already, you can still ask that it be rekeyed. This is a relatively easy task for a locksmith and your landlord should understand that it is for your security. You may be asked to pay a nominal fee, but it is worth it for your safety!

Peep Hole: Does your front door have a peep hole, sometimes called a viewer? If it is a standard viewer you may not be able to see much, however, for a few dollars at most any hardware store you can buy a wide-angle viewer that affords you a much better view and it will usually fit in the same hole. Your existing viewer may also be very dirty and not give you a good view. A flat screwdriver is generally all it takes to undo the existing one. If you look at the viewer from the end there are usually notches; that is where the screwdriver goes to loosen the viewer and make it possible to switch it out for one that offers a better view.

Figure 1 Peep hole

Figure 2 Sliding door lock

Sliding Doors: These are particularly vulnerable if you dont have a brace for them. The simplest option is a dowel, about the size of a broom handle or slightly smaller, cut to fit in the track to block the door from sliding, which also makes it hard to jimmy and lift off the track. You can use a telescoping security bar, similar to a tension bar curtain rod. And, there are screw mounted brackets that block the door and are hard to see from the outside that make it impossible to open the door (this can be great for keeping the little ones on the inside, too), but whatever block or locking device you use, make sure that any overnight guests are aware of them, and how to operate them, in case they need to exit the home in an emergency.