The first step you can take is to go to a local shooting range. Here you can learn the basics and inner workings of a gun. During this process, you can figure out how much you really know. Can you load one properly? Are you able to disarm it and arm it? Do you know whether it takes bullets or shells? Once you feel comfortable holding the gun, you can try shooting targets. This will give you a reality check…would you be able to use your gun effectively in order to save your life? Things happen so quickly, and it’s hard to tell whether adrenaline would help or hurt in the situation.

Knowing how to use a gun safely is great knowledge and experience, but you can also go one step further and take self-defense classes. Even if you decide to have a gun in your home, how will you defend yourself if the assailant gets it off of you? You should be able to stand your own ground, and it’s best to know how to get out of a choke hold or how to get a weapon off of somebody bigger than you just in case you ever find yourself in these situations.

Learning gun safety is one step, but you have to be responsible and also familiarize yourself with other methods of self-defense that don’t include gun shots.

In order to do a safety check, it’s important to do it unannounced. While everyone is minding their own business, casually walk around the house with a pen and paper. Observe things that you find and write them down. Are the doors locked or unlocked? Is the garage door shut or still open? Did anyone set the alarm system before bed? Did your son or daughter leave the bedroom windows open when they left the house? These are just some things you should be on the lookout for, and you might want to mark down the date and time when you discovered these issues.

It might be beneficial to monitor your home without anyone knowing for 24 or 48 hours. After this period of time, setup a family meeting. Then you can discuss all of the issues that you found troubling. Address each one and provide reasons why leaving the door unlocked, garage open, etc. is a problem.

By confronting your household as a team as well as individually, you can help increase your home’s security. It’s important to do it in a way that doesn’t make everyone defensive, because you want everyone to walk away with a new respect for home security. Try to turn it into a fun learning activity, and conduct another surprise inspection a couple weeks later to see how things have improved.

A recent survey performed by the Electronic Security Association found that 10 of the largest insurance companies providing homeowner coverage give out up to 20% off when the homeowner’s home has a security system. When you’re able to recover a chunk of money like this, you can use it to pay for your home security system. Then you don’t have to struggle to keep your security system from month to month.

So how can you reap these discounts? Well, first you need to contact your insurance company and find out if they provide discounts for having a home security system already installed. If yours doesn’t offer a percentage off, don’t consider this the end all and be all. The next step is to research and find alternative companies to investigate. With persistence, you will be able to find one that meets your needs and provides discounts for being a responsible homeowner.

Discounts are just the tip of the iceberg with home security systems. According to a study done at Temple University, a single family home with a security system is more than 60% less likely to experience a break-in than a comparable home that doesn’t have a home security system.

Installing a security system can lower your insurance and lower your risk of being burglarized. When you find the right homeowner’s insurance and home security company, it can be a win-win situation for you, your family and your wallet.

Before buying just any home security device, consider what your Valentine is most in need of. First, think about basic home security products like locks, new windows, new doors, etc. If you recently noticed that you loved one’s front door is on its last leg, consider replacing it for him/her, or at least getting a gift card to Home Depot. It’s fairly easy to pick out locks and peepholes, but it’s a little more difficult to pick out a door for someone, especially if you’re not living together.

Another option if you live with your sweetheart is to surprise them with a high-tech security system. Consider options that will make your loved one’s life easier. When you can access lights, locks and other aspects of your home from a smartphone or the Internet, your home becomes more efficient. Gifts like this might seem so practical and boring, but if they will make a positive difference for the household, they are well worth it.

Even installing DIY security cameras outside the front door, garage and back door can be a nice surprise. Then all your Valentine has to do is view the surveillance footage at the computer to see who is at the door. This is a great idea if your sweetie has a home based business or is a stay at home parent.

Along with chocolates and roses, practical gifts can be meaningful too on Valentine’s Day, so show how much you care by providing a safer, securer home environment for your loved one.

Vacations are a great way to relieve stress, and it’s healthy to go off and enjoy different scenery for a change. However, the important part of vacationing is having a sense of peace and calm while you’re on the trip and when you return home. If you leave your house susceptible to theft, you’re not going to come back in good spirits.

The first order of business before leaving your home for an extended period is to make sure your locks are safe and secure. If you know that the lock on your front door is falling apart, don’t go on vacation until it’s fixed. Leaving the state for the weekend is beneficial for your sanity, but you need to put money toward a new lock for your security and safety.

Another issue in winter involves dealing with the fallen snow. When this piles up in your driveway, people are going to know that you’re away. So hire a trusted neighbor kid to shovel it while your gone. Also, those low hanging branches should be trimmed so everything is clear around your home. It’s also wise to fix those parts of your home that are deteriorating. For example, any loose boards or wood casings around the door should be repaired. These are just signs for a burglar to come break in and enter.

During the winter, there are so many reasons why you could be away from home. Between family getaways and school vacations, there are plenty of opportunities for thieves to target your home but don’t let them even think about it.

In order to actually accomplish your home security resolutions, you need to establish specific ones. Saying that you’re going to improve the security and safety of your home is just too general, and it gives you too much leeway to fail. So be firm and specific in your goals for 2011 and think about the improvements that your home can use.

For instance, decide to install surveillance cameras at your front door by March and add another one to your backyard or garage by May. Designating a month gives you enough time to save up for the installation. Being realistic in your goals will help you stay on track too. Maybe you can’t afford a new door within the first 6 months of the New Year so at least install a new lock to increase the safety and buy you more time to save up for the steel door.

If you do have the funds to make a significant upgrade this year, definitely consider going mobile. Achieving mobile command of your windows, doors, locks and lighting can make life more convenient, and it’s an easy way to keep an eye on your home when you’re not at home. With wireless devices, you can make this happen, and it will be a big learning experience and a freeing one as well.

Keeping intruders out of your home in 2011 is just as important as it was in 2011. Even though it’s the New Year, there are still criminals and thieves lurking out there. Try to stick to your home security resolutions by setting time frames and keeping your goals specific.

• Perform a thorough clean up after opening up presents. Keep expensive items like iPods, flat screen television and computers out of sight from plain view.

• Destroy, throw away and recycle packaging materials that would indicate the types of gifts you and your family have received. Don’t keep them visible in the garage. Instead, take them to your local recycling center.

• Don’t make it easy for burglars. The most common items that are stolen include electronics, jewelry and cash. Put these items away out of sight and avoid placing them in a backpack, bag or box that can be easily carried away.

• Be diligent about taking photographs of the valuable possessions you own. Include the make, brand, model, color, value, description, quantity, special markings and serial numbers on the back of the photo. This can come in handy for your homeowner’s insurance and for a police investigation if certain items were stolen. When you can, it’s best to have your name or other identifying information engraved in the jewelry or electronics.

• Lock up or store tools, grills and other expensive equipment outdoors. It might be easier to bring these items into the garage or place them into a locked outdoor shed.

Gearing up for the holidays requires time and effort, but you have to set aside time to lock up and burglarproof your home.

The leading wireless home security company LifeShield has shared some valuable guidelines and tips on how to prevent crime in your home this season. These do-it-yourself tips to improve home security will keep intruders at bay.

• Conceal and break down all boxes from purchases. Mac computers are pricey items…do you really want the entire neighborhood including passerby know that you now own one? Of course, not! So do your best to keep those empty boxes out of sight when taking them down to the curb for your garbage service.

• Prevent peeping Toms by frosting your garage and basement windows. This is easy to do when you have another person helping you. All you have to do is buy the frosting film, measure the windows, cut out the shape, spray the window (water and soap mixture), apply the film, spray again and squidgy the film to remove any liquid. Depending on how many windows you have, it could take an hour or so.

• Never leave personal information on your voice message for your house or mobile phone. Every one who calls doesn’t need to know that your family is skiing in Colorado for a week. Be patient and tell everyone about your amazing trip when you return. The same thing goes for your social media accounts.

• Enhance the strength of your door by installing deadbolts. Intruders can still manage to break the door down, but it will take them longer and make it more challenging.

• Be wary of home deliveries. Most packages can be left at the door without any questions ask, but if you have a delivery person who tries to convince you to let them in, request to see identification. There are instances when you have to sign for packages but don’t be naive.

These five simple guidelines can strengthen your fortress without costing you an arm and a leg.

Do Some Preparation Before Your Travels

When you have to pack clothing for yourself as well as your family members, securing your home becomes an afterthought. You realize that you didn’t set the light timers earlier when you’re already three hours into your trip. Don’t let important home security measures slip your mind. Crime increases during the holidays, because people are away from their home and are doing more holiday shopping.

A practical Christmas gift for your family would be to install a new or updated security system. However, you will want to install it at least three months before your long trip. This will give you time to get used to the new features and work out any bugs or issues.

One red flag for burglars is the mail. Instead of canceling your mail and alerting the mail carrier, have a trusted neighbor or friend pick it up every day. If you do decide to cancel your mail, make the arrangements at least a week in advance.

Don’t Look Like a Target

There are so many different elements that intruders look for before attempting to break into a home. By making your house look less like a target, you can breathe a little easier this holiday season.

First, focus on the driveway. You can have a friend park his/her car in the driveway while you’re away. If you know there is going to be snowfall, request that your landscaper come when necessary. Caring for your driveway and lawn makes it look like someone is home.

Inside the home, you can set timers and rotate the lighting so different ones turn on. Try to make sure that they are ones people can see from outside.

It’s never a good idea to broadcast your holiday plans to people, because you never know how far that information will travel. At least with these basic tips, you can make your house less appealing while you’re out of town spending time with family.

According to a recent study done by SGIO Home Insurance, Western Australian renters seem to be too relaxed when it comes to home security. The insurance company surveyed 300 shared rental households, and its research found that 42% of the renters borrowed an item without asking; 32% broke an item that didn’t belong to them; and 8% left their house without turning off the iron. It’s apparent that stealing is occurring among them and that basic home safety isn’t being followed either.

Renting an apartment or condo may make you feel like you lack the control over the security of your residence. Also, when you live with someone, both people might not take the same security measures. It’s important to do what you can and invest in homeowner’s insurance at least for the sake of your belongings. Even just discussing basic home security with your roommate, family and friends is a good idea. Maybe you feel that always locking the doors is a basic measure, but your roommate might not be on the same page.

Whether you live in a house, apartment or condo, you do have control over your security. So see what your landlord is willing to provide, and if it’s not much then consider investing in portable security measures such as cameras that can be removed when you move to another place. Also, carefully screening your roommates will eliminate future problems such as the policy for borrowing your belongings and leaving the house when you have appliances still on.