A Home-Safety Plan Every Family Can Use

Start with the outside of the house. Good exterior lighting, trimmed shrubs near windows and doors, solid door frames and working locks deter most problems before they begin. Many families add a camera doorbell or an alarm system; whatever you use, make sure everyone knows how it works.

Next, agree on a plan. Where does everyone gather if there is a problem at night? Who calls 911, and what will they say? Which room can be locked and used as a safe room? Keep a phone and a flashlight in that room. Walk through the plan with every member of the household, including older children.

Communication is the heart of the plan. Family members should know never to open the door to strangers, to tell an adult if something seems wrong, and to leave the house and go to a neighbor's if they come home to find a door forced or a window broken. The goal is always to avoid confrontation and let law enforcement respond.

Families who choose to keep a firearm for home defense take on serious responsibilities: secure storage that keeps it from children, professional training, and a clear understanding of the law. Self-defense laws, including rules on the use of force in the home, vary by state. Learn them from qualified instructors and official sources — never from internet hearsay.

Review the plan twice a year, when you change smoke-detector batteries. A plan rehearsed calmly in daylight is the one that helps in a stressful moment.