By Marci L. Crane / Published on June 24th, 2006 / Family
Protect Your Home on the Outside
In regards to protecting your physical home, the steps are fairly simple. The installation of home security systems, motion detectors, heat detectors, and the like are obvious ways to protect your home. Windows security is also essential. It is most common for prowlers to enter through unsecured windows. This tendency towards ‘window weakness’ can be strengthened with wireless windows security sensors or with windows security motion detectors. Other less expensive windows security tactics include planting thorny bushes beneath lower level windows, setting lights near or above every window, and investing in a dog or ‘beware of dog’ decals.
Note: In case of fire, heat detectors or smoke alarms are inexpensive and essential for a secure home. Wireless heat detectors or smoke alarms are also available.
Protect Your Home on the Inside
Surprisingly enough, protecting a home on the inside is often the most difficult part of protecting families. Concerned parents often worry about the effects of offensive media and pornography. In regards to pornography, the following quote can be found at lds.org: “Pornography has become a serious problem in our society. The effects of pornography have resulted in an increase of sexual abuse and exploitation of children and women, broken marriages and families, and an increase in violent crimes and addictive behaviors.”
On a more personal level, G.B. Hinckley, president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, states the following, “Pornography, with its sleazy filth, sweeps over the earth like a horrible, engulfing tide. It is poison. Do not watch it or read it. It will destroy you if you do. It will take from you your self-respect. It will rob you of a sense of the beauties of life. It will tear you down and pull you into a slough of evil thoughts and possibly evil actions. Stay away from it. Shun it as you would a foul disease, for it is just as deadly" (Source: lds.org, or the Ensign, Nov. 1997, 51).
Shunning pornography and other offensive material can be accomplished first by discussing with children what the consistent standards are and will be within your home. Children will often be the first to offer helpful suggestions and assist in the creation of standards, rules, etc. Allow your children to participate in discussions which touch on all aspects of home security, windows security, and security which protects them from harmful media or pornography. Let them know you have a plan and would welcome their opinions. They may even know friends or families who have already suffered from the damaging effects of media and pornography and will be surprisingly accepting of the rules established within your home. Second, TV and Internet filters such as those provided by contentwatch.com help children avoid uncomfortable situations---whether they were, or were not looking for them.
Protecting a home both on the inside and out requires proactive parents. Invest in home security/windows security and take the time to talk with your children about offensive media and pornography.
About the Author
About the Author: Marci Crane is a web content specialist for 10x Marketing in Orem, UT. She enjoys volleyball, ballroom dance and free lance writing. For more questions in regards to basic home security or for additional windows security tips, please visit alarmoneinc.com.