What is Layered Home Security?

Since my last post, where I introduced the concept of layered security, I thought it prudent to get deeper into the specifics.  Layered security is a military strategy based on many years of combat experience.  Since I have been on assignments with heavy machine guns in towers and multiple layers of concertina wire, it might be good to know that home security and self defense are a lot like military security.  The similarity is that good home security, and self defense are not prefaced on one singular mechanism or alarm system.  In this post I will discuss how, home security should be layered to create effective defenses against hoodlums, and thieves, and worse. 

Layer 1 - The first layer of security in your home is less about stopping the bad guys, as it is about communication.  Layer 1 is the outermost reaches from your home and safety area.  This is generally a fence or a common public area like a sidewalk.  In layer 1 if you can't use a fence, then the next best thing is a sign.  A sign which indicates you have a home alarm system or a huge dog is an excellent deterrent.  If those things aren't possible or preferred, I recommend a early warning device.  Communicate that you are not an easy target.
Layer 2 - The Second layer of home security is the space between your property line and your home itself.  Do you have decent lighting in vulnerable areas?  Do you have bushes or other items that would allow unseen access to the house.  No home is perfect, but you should know your weaknesses and address them.  Use motion sensitive lighting and surveillance cameras to secure weak areas. 
Layer 3 - In the 3rd layer things get very interesting.  The 3rd layer is your exterior walls, windows, and doors.  If you have ground level windows, plant thorny bushes beneath them.  Bad guys don't like thorns.  Give yourself the ability to see who is at your door without standing  at the door itself.  Use video surveillance cameras on all points of entry or egress.  Keep door well lit all the time and windows well lit when possible. 
Layer 4 - Most people have at least some 4th layer security, but ironically, most people don't have nearly enough.  A large number of burglaries and home invasions occur simply because the scum bags kick the door in.  In most houses there is only about two screws and a 1/2 an inch of wood keeping the door locked.  Reinforce your doors with something.  There are several ways to reinforce doors.  If you need assistance visit us at www.everythinghomeprotection.net
Layer 5 - This is what we call The Last Stand.  This is generally a bedroom, or closet.  This is the area inside your home where you can best observe and protect yourself by whatever means necessary.  In this area, you should have a phone, a powerful flashlight or spot light, and your self defense tool or choice either a gun, Taser, or something. 

A dog is the best home protection device ever born.  A dog can transcend layers of protection, by acting as an early warning device, a layer 4 physical deterrent, and as a Last Stand defensive tool. 

Tough Times - layering security

Seems like the economy continues to take a toll on people, and as a result, I had to slightly change course with Everything Home Protection .   The business is up and running with a new domain name, but all else remains the same.   I have added several firearms training courses to the menu for folks in Middle Georgia area specifically for those in the area between Southern Atlanta, and Macon.  Courses are designed for those people who understand the home and personal security layering strategy, but for those people who haven't been introduced yet, I have prepared this explanation.

Being secure in your home or by your self is about creating layers of protection around you.  Layers can be physical barriers or deterrents that make it difficult for the criminal to accomplish his or her goal.  In a home the layers are easier to see and understand, but a person walking through a parking lot on a dark evening should have layers too.

When I use my own home as an example, to burglarize my home, a robber would have to: 1) climb a fence, 2) get past my surveillance cameras, 3)  break in a reinforced door or window 4) get past my dogs and if I'm home 5) he'd have to survive my 2 million candle power spotlight in his eyes 6) before I fired on him with lethal force and years of training.  This is not a good picture for bad guys.  They most likely won't choose my house to rob, though it is still possible.   A criminal has to overcome 6 layers of protection to take something out of my home or hurt somebody inside.  Oh and these are just the primary layers, because yes there are secondaries.  I forgot to mention the rose bushes outside my windows, motion sensitive lighting, and if I'm not home, my Mace Wireless Alarm System is always armed and ready to go.

None of these layers will protect me or my belongings by itself, but when you combine them, my home becomes a fortress.  My goal is not to be able to actually prevent a home invasion or robbery.  My goal is to make them pick an easier target.  By adding simple layers of security from the outside working my way inside, I've made myself a hard target.  In other words, bad guys can come, but I'm ready and they know it.  Why would they take the chance.

Now that you know the layered security strategy, how many layers do you have protecting you?

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