RESIDENTIAL PREPAREDNESS: HOW AND WHAT YOU SHOULD DO

By: Michael Lauer

It may seem obvious, but residential preparedness and self-defense are two sides of the

same coin. There are many similarities, namely, to reduce or prevent harm from

happening to yourself, loved ones and property.

The Center for Violence Prevention and Self-Defense (CVPSD) instructs clients to take a layered approach by using several learnable skills – emotional, verbal and physical – to deter people bent on causing harm. Anticipating and preparing your home for “the unknown” follows the same fundamental approach.

At its core, those who are equipped with the proper knowledge and skills will ultimately

triumph over adversity. To break it down even further, preparedness can come in many

forms. Most individuals commonly associate being prepared with having enough food

and water (spoiler: most do not!) to sustain themselves during a power outage or

weather event.

But what about ensuring your home is safeguarded against an intrusion? Beyond guiding customers about what supplies to have on hand, our team at Secure Home Advisors also make recommendations for fortifying their home against anyone intending to invade your privacy, damage your property, or worse.

We conduct comprehensive residential assessments of the property, home exterior

and interior, and even the surrounding community to scan for vulnerabilities that

could be exploited. By being proactive about preparedness and security, customers feel a

greater sense of readiness should danger ever present itself.

Below are several important resources to consider as part of your family preparedness

planning. Together with the resources available through CVPSD, this information can

help keep you safe and protected against many of today’s common threats.

• NJ Office of Emergency Management - www.nj.gov/njoem

• American Red Cross: www.redcross.org

• National Weather Service - www.weather.gov/phi

• Federal Emergency Management Agency - www.fema.gov

• U.S. Department of Homeland Security - www.ready.gov

Michael Lauer is the Founder of Secure Home Advisors, a New Jersey-based business

serving residential customers who are looking to fortify their homes and be more prepared for life’s unexpected moments. To learn more and schedule your residential

assessment, visit www.securehomeadvisors.com.