What is it with some people? They act as if they do not want anyone to harm them. They prepare in advance for situations that may not – make that will most likely not even occur.
Some people might call these people precautionary, or security-minded. Others might call them lunatics, or other not-so-endearing terms.
Here is a 17-point checklist for you. Why not rate your own security-mindedness. Check 10, and I’d say you are almost ready for anything. Check 15 or more, and I’d say you are ready. In no particular order – here we go. Do you:
• Keep your keychain car alarm by your bedside, ready to push the panic button in case of danger, such as a break-in, a heart attack, etc.? [1]
• Keep a can of wasp spray near your door and near your bedside, in case of a break-in; the spray goes 20 feet and can disarm your attacker more easily than close-range pepper spray? [1]
• Keep your doors chained and bolted, as well as locked at ALL times? [1]
• Have a large peep hole in your front door, and a strong outside light, which enables you to EASILY see who is there? [15]
• Have a security sign placed outside where all can easily see it – even if you don’t have an alarm system? [10]
• Keep your phone near your bedside, in case of emergency need? [1]
• Keep a phone in the bathroom – which will permit you to have a “safe room” in case of a break in, as well as a place you can reach the phone when you are otherwise indisposed? [1]
• Keep a loaded unlocked gun in your closet, where it cannot easily be reached by children, in case you really need it quickly one day? [1]
• Not open the door for anyone you do not know? [1]
• Lock your windows and set your alarm, if you have one, before leaving the house – even for a trip to the market? [1]
• Leave a light and/or the TV on when you leave the house? [1]
• Leave at least one car in the garage? The cars can’t all be stolen that way. [1]
• Stash aspirin (take 2 and chew – for heart attacks) and Tums (for that middle of the night discomfort) near your bed? [1]
• Position a fake camera, fake siren, and fake big doggie dish outside to intimidate potential intruders? [20]
• Have motion detectors that work, at each outside corner of your home? [40]
• Write your cell phone number on your spouse’s cell phone – in case it’s lost? [1]
• Use a keypad garage door opener, instead of a plain button type, to thwart potential break-ins through the garage by a valet’s crony, for example? [1]
How did you score? You think it’s too much work to get all these items in place? Then I ask you: “How many minutes of preparation time is your life, or that of your family, worth?” If you don’t look out for yourself and your family, who will? Those numbers in brackets at the ends of each sentence? That’s the time in minutes I estimate it will take to set up each item – and I rounded seconds to a full minute. The total set-up time needed to stay safe: about one and a half hours.
Sleep tight.
Mr. Ebsen may be contacted at robertebsen@hotmail.com
