Protecting Your Home both Inside and Out
If you are a parent, you have probably wondered at one time or
another, what more you can do to protect your children and
yourself, not only physically but emotionally, mentally,
spiritually etc. Today many parents and families are
discouraged. They perceive, and even experience first hand a
disturbing lack of basic civility and community respect. This
disregard of the ‘protective virtues’ often leads to anxiety and
fear. Those who disregard civility and respect demean those who
take the time to work hard for their homes and their assets.
They also demean those who work hard to maintain elevated ideas
and standards within their homes. If you are a parent, don’t let
negative trends discourage you. Stay proactive and protect your
home both inside and out.
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, h
eat 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 smo
ke 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.