We all want to feel safe, especially in our own homes. We like to think that we live in a community that is a good place to live.
What happens when we start to contemplate recent happenings and worry about the safety of our community?
Well, you don’t have to just sit and worry. You can take part in keeping your community as safe as possible.
Here’s how:
1. Say Hi to Your Neighbors
We all have busy lives but when we can work together as a community, that’s when things really get done.
And no one will be on the same page if you don’t even know each other’s names. So go out and introduce yourselves to your neighbors and if someone new moves into the neighborhood get to know them too.
You’ll feel safer knowing who lives next to you and you will feel more inclined to share some information if you know each other well enough. That information could possibly prevent a horrible disaster.
2. Keep Your Yard Free From Debris
We all have a duty to keep our areas free from things that can cause harm to others. One of the easiest ways to do that is by keeping our yards and entryways clean and organized.
This article has a list of ways to make your yard safer.
3. Install Lighting
If your home is lacking in outdoor lighting, this can cause a problem for both you and your neighbors.
Anyone walking outside your home at night, even if on the sidewalk, will be in more danger than if you had shed some light on the subject.
Criminals look for dark areas to commit their crimes and if you have none, they will most likely rule out your neighborhood.
You can take initiative and purchase exterior lighting and install them facing your yard. If you notice that the streetlamp is out or not working, contact the power company and request that they fix it.
4. Be Careful of Traffic
One of the biggest threats to the safety of your family and neighbors is from drivers on the road. You can make this less likely by lobbying for some extra signs to be posted in your neighborhood.
Signs like “slow children at play” can go a long way towards slowing down traffic. You may also be able to lobby for the installation of speed bumps.
One of the biggest issues that many neighborhoods have is delivery trucks that have no area to park, obstruct other drivers’ views and cause an accident. Learn what to do if that happens to you here.
5. Report Suspicious Activity
If you see something that seems amiss, don’t brush it off as if you are being overly cautious. Trust your instinct and say something.
For example, if you notice someone snooping around your neighbor’s front porch, and you know your neighbor is out of town, approach the individual as if you own the house.
Ask them if you can help them. If they mean well they will talk to you and explain who they are. If not, they will avoid conversation and quickly leave.
6. Close Your Blinds at Night
One of the biggest reasons that people get robbed is because their belongings are so easily seen by others through their windows.
If you leave your blinds open at night and you have your lights on in the house, people outside can see everything in your home.
It is a good habit to close your blinds when the sun goes down so that you don’t entice robbers into your home by seeing your big screen tv, computers, or other expensive items.
7. Install a Security System
Having the protection of a security system is a surefire way to protect those in your home from being harmed.
This investment may seem unnecessary but it can be lifesaving.
Conclusion
Being involved in your community is the best way to have a hand in keeping it safe. When you make yourself a proactive citizen you will also be able to sleep easier because you’ll know more about the goings-on in your town
So try out some of the above tips and see the great improvements that come from them.
