Field Guide to Home Safety and Security
(Updated Nov. 2006)
Crime statistics, natural disasters, terrorism threats - all these factors can chip away at our sense of safety and security. Shouldn't our homes provide a refuge from the big, scary world out there?? Short of hiring a security staff and adding a moat, there are steps everyone can take to increase home security. This Field Guide offers tips, statistics, quizzes and guidance to help prepare our homes and families against potential risks. (D. Foligno, Project Specialist)
Contents:
Home Safety & Security | Prepare for Disaster | Websites | eBooks & Other Resources
Disaster Supplies Kit
3-day supply of water (1 gallon per person per day)
3-day supply of non-perishable food & can opener
First-aid kit
Prescription medications
Non-prescription medications
Portable radio & extra batteries
Soap & sanitation items
Personal hygiene items
For babies: diapers, bottles, formula, medications
Tools
Flashlight & extra batteries
Clothing & blankets
Copies of ID documents, credit cards, wills, bank account numbers
Cash or travellers checks
Source: Your family disaster supplies kit, (U.S. Red Cross, Apr. 2006).
Home Safety & Security 
The Impact of Terrorism Fears on Downtown Real Estate Chicago Office Market Cycles, (Journal of Real Estate Portfolio Management, Jan-Mar 2007). Q
Seeking safety in home security systems, (New York Times, Oct. 2006).
Home & Family -- Cranky Consumer: Testing Security Systems for the Home, (Wall Street Journal, Feb. 2006). Q
Home safety screening quiz, (About.com).
Is your home underinsured? 8 key tests, (MSN Money, 2006).
To catch a thief, (Money Sense, Nov. 2005). Q
Assess a home's security - looking at a home through a burglar's eyes, (Texas Association of REALTORS®, Jan 2005).
How safe is your home? Find out now!, (Holy Redeemer Health System, 2005).
How does a burglar's mind work?, (Scotland Yard).
How to protect your home, (National Neighborhood Watch Program).
Your home fire safety checklist, (Consumer Product Safety Commission).
Protect yourself and your family, (Women's Defense Center.com).
Home fire escape plan, (GoColumbiaMo.com).
Apartment security, (Toronto Police Dept.).
Prepare for Disaster
Preparing makes sense. Get ready now, (Ready.gov). - Comprehensive brochure covering preparedness for many potential threats. Includes checklists and 'Family Communication Plan' forms.
Open for business: Hope for the best, but plan for the worst, (Florida REALTOR® Magazine, July/Aug. 2006).
Are you ready? An in-depth guide to disaster preparedness, (FEMA, July 2006).
Be prepared, (National Hurricane Center).
Emergency pet preparedness, (ASPCA, 2006).
Websites
Crime statistics by State: 1960-2005, (The Disaster Center).
Neighborhood watch implementation manual, (National Sheriffs' Association).
2005 U.S. Crime Report rates, (FBI, June 2006).
White paper: Home smoke alarms and other fire detection and alarm equipment, (Fire Safety.gov, Apr. 2006).
Sparky the Fire Dog, (Sparky.org). - Interactive website teaches children fire safety.
Safety tips for women, (Self Defense.com).
CDC emergency preparedness and response, (Centers for Disease Control).
Childproofing your home, (Consumer Protection Safety Commission).
Home alone: how older adults can feel safe, (West Virginia University, 2004).
Project safe neighborborhoods fact sheet, (U.S. Dept. of Justice, Jan. 2003).
eBooks & Other Resources
eBooks.realtor.org
The following ebooks and digital audiobooks are available to NAR members:
Be Alert, Be Aware, Have a Plan (Adobe eReader)
Books, Videos, Research Reports & More
The resources below are available for loan through Information Central. Up to three books, tapes, CDs and/or DVDs can be borrowed for 30 days from the Library for a nominal fee of $10. Call Information Central at 800.874.6500 for assistance.
Don't be a victim: personal safety for REALTORS®, (Chicago, IL: NAR, 2002). VT423
Be alert, be aware, have a plan: the complete guide to protecting yourself, your home, your family, (Guilford, CT: Globe Pequot Press, 2002). HV 7431 R19
Field Guides & More
These Field Guides and other resources in the Virtual Library may also be of interest:
Field Guide to Identity Theft
Field Guide to REALTOR® Safety
>> Have an idea for a new Field Guide? Click here to send us your suggestions!
The inclusion of links on this Field Guide does not imply endorsement by the National Association of REALTORS®. NAR makes no representations about whether the content of any external sites which may be linked to this Field Guide complies with state or federal laws or regulations or with applicable NAR policies. These links are provided for your convenience only and you rely on them at your own risk.
