NOTE: This article originally appeared in the Summer, 1994 issue of Crime Prevention Magazine. Jake Jakubuwski wrote this article then as one of the magazines contributing editors. This article has been updated to reflect current crime trends.
“Home” may be where the heart is but unless you are willing to safeguard your security “Home” may not be the safe haven you think it is.
Why? Because burglaries, breaking and entering and home invasions are on the rise all across America.
Violent crime can come at you from any direction. It doesn’t matter who you are, where you live or what your economic status is. Folks just like you are robbed and beaten while at work, at church, in the shopping malls and in their own homes. However, it is at home that you can be at the greatest risk.
There are numerous reasons for being at greater risk at home. First when you’re at home, you tend to let your guard down and relax. Next, the burglars, and rip-off artists, rapists, killers and just plain “crazies” are getting bolder and do not hesitate to “hit” an occupied dwelling. Often, that invasion is perpetrated by more than one assailant.
This type of violence is random and the probability of you being “hit” is about one-in-four.
Increasing your personal risk factor is the fact that for a multitude of reasons it is necessary, from time to time, to invite complete strangers into your home.
It is at those times, no matter how urgent the need for their services may be, that you stand the greatest chance of becoming a victim of a violent robbery, rape or assault. It is at those times that you need to take every step necessary to make sure the “visit” does not become your personal Waterloo.
You must be cautious about what you say and how you act around the person you’re allowing in your home. Don’t send signals, by word or deed, that say “I’m a victim!”
Simply by telling the stranger you live alone, or are new to the area and don’t know anyone, might alert that person to a special vulnerability on your part.
Yet, everyday, all across America, hundreds of thousands of homeowners and apartment dwellers invite total strangers into their homes without giving it a second thought. And , when that person arrives, the resident will often reveal information to them that could not be considered anything but personal.
Frequently, that information is knowledge that an unscrupulous individual could use to the homeowner’s detriment. Talking too freely to strangers in your home can cost you money, aggravation, possessions and worse. Saying the wrong thing to the wrong person and you could wind up dead!
Fortunately, the majority of service people, decorators, repairmen, carpet cleaners and window washers you invite into your home are just what you believe them to be: honest, harmless and hardworking. They’re interested in getting the job done, collecting their fee and going on to the next job, or going home.
Unfortunately, you could possibly wind up with a sick, sociopath, service person like the Gainesville, Florida carpet cleaner who murdered the female college student for whom he was cleaning carpets. Or, the Boston Strangler who posed as a plumber or maintenance man that had been sent to “fix” a problem. The unwary, unsuspecting victim would let him in and wind up dead!
Consequently, you need to take steps to insure that you will survive your next “service” encounter.
Call your local Chamber of Commerce or Better Business Bureau before calling someone out for a service call. See if the company you are considering is a “member” or if there have been any complaints registered against that firm. Calling the Chamber of Commerce or BBB will not guarantee you a competent and honest service person, but could alert you to the possibility of problems.
Also, if you are having a ‘new’ company do work for you, ask the representative of that firm to give you a list of previous customers. Most legitimate companies are proud of their satisfied customer base and would be pleased to have you check their references.
When someone rings your bell, or raps on your door and says they are there to check the meter, clean the carpets, paint the kitchen or repair the porch, don’t open your door until you have been able to verify they are who they say they are. If you have not requested service, or the person says they “are checking the phones in the area,” tell them to check somewhere else. Even if they show you what appears to be “official” identification, call the agency, company or utility that they purport to work for. Don’t take unnecessary chances.
If you can’t have a friend or relative stay with you while the service that you asked for is being performed, call a friend , neighbor or relative within hearing distance of the service person and tell the person that you call: “Charles for “X” company is here doing the carpets. I know that you wanted to have yours done, so why don’t I give you their number?” That way, the stranger in your home knows that someone else knows who they are, and where they are from.
Don’t tell the stranger in your home that you are alone, your spouse is out of town, or that while they are doing whatever it is they are supposed to do, you are going to take a shower. Don’t tell them you’re glad they got there early because when they’re finished you have to take a deposit to the bank. Don’t tell them “make themselves at home,” offer them a drink, or in any way give them the idea that your arrangement with them is anything but what it is — business.
In all fairness to the majority of the people that you might invite into your home, the encounter will most likely be hassle and trouble free. It is up to you to keep it that way.
So, no matter who the stranger is that is in your home: Real estate agent, carpenter, plumber or preacher, you need to be aware of your personal safety at all times. Above all, don’t tell the stranger in your home how vulnerable you may be — that’s just asking for trouble!
This article is brought to you through the courtesy of:
Jake Jakubuwski is a locksmith and security consultant with more then twenty years experience in the field. He is also a freelance writer for industry publications, the technical editor of The National Locksmith magazine and has served on the editorial board of Crime Prevention Magazine and The Door Hardware Institute magazine. His PURE JAKE LEARNING SEMINARS are recognized as a continuing education resource for locksmiths, facilities management personnel, door technicians and security professionals. You can visit Jakes website at: http://www.purejake.com
Tags: deadbolt, door, home security lock, home, locks, security, door lock, lock
