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Home Security: The Secure Dad's Guide: Easy Home Defense Techniques to Keep Your Family Safe
An essential guide to securing your house and family through easy home defense techniques for parents. Home The Secure Dad’s Guide is focused on providing essential knowledge of home security for parents, written by a parent. Learn proven techniques that will make your home a hard target for criminals and enable families to rest easy at home. This book is concise because it goes right to the point with reliable information for busy parents.
What you will Discover easy methods that you can use right now to secure your home today. Plus learn how to implement a four part layered home defense strategy that will protect your family for years to come. The strategy Discipline, Deter, Fortify and Defend. You will learn exactly how to apply these layers to your home and your lifestyle.
What is The Secure Dad? Founded in 2016, Andy Murphy saw a need to create information for families to protect themselves at home and in public. Being a husband and father, Andy understands that a fundamental element of happiness is security. He is passionate about empowering families to live safer, happier lives.
The Secure Dad has garnered praise from security industry leaders, law enforcement and parents all over the country.
What you will Discover easy methods that you can use right now to secure your home today. Plus learn how to implement a four part layered home defense strategy that will protect your family for years to come. The strategy Discipline, Deter, Fortify and Defend. You will learn exactly how to apply these layers to your home and your lifestyle.
What is The Secure Dad? Founded in 2016, Andy Murphy saw a need to create information for families to protect themselves at home and in public. Being a husband and father, Andy understands that a fundamental element of happiness is security. He is passionate about empowering families to live safer, happier lives.
The Secure Dad has garnered praise from security industry leaders, law enforcement and parents all over the country.
- GenresNonfictionSurvival
89 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 28, 2018
44 people are currently reading
20 people want to read
About the author
Andy Murphy
12 books3 followersThe Secure Dad is resource for dads to become more secure in their homes and secure in their fatherhood. As dads we are called to be protectors, teachers, chefs and story time narrators. We are called to answer the wolf at the door and the plastic telephone a toddler hands us. The Secure Dad provides insight on how to improve in these areas and how to combine them for a safe, enjoyable life.
I believe that a secure life resides in serving a loving God who will guide you and your family daily. Knowing my life is in the hands of a merciful God who loves me gives me strength and security every day. This blog is a direct result of God’s calling for my life.
“It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure.” Psalm 18:32 NIV
The Secure Dad is apart of who I am and I am dedicated to producing reliable and enjoyable content for families. I want you and your family to lead happy, secure lives.
I believe that a secure life resides in serving a loving God who will guide you and your family daily. Knowing my life is in the hands of a merciful God who loves me gives me strength and security every day. This blog is a direct result of God’s calling for my life.
“It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure.” Psalm 18:32 NIV
The Secure Dad is apart of who I am and I am dedicated to producing reliable and enjoyable content for families. I want you and your family to lead happy, secure lives.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 3, 2018
Wow! Security tips supercharged!
The author does a wonderful job at educating everyone on the hidden dangers of our everyday life related to security! We put ourselves at risk daily! I now know the simple things I can do to protect myself and my family.
The author does a wonderful job at educating everyone on the hidden dangers of our everyday life related to security! We put ourselves at risk daily! I now know the simple things I can do to protect myself and my family.
June 4, 2018
Eye-opening!!!
I’m glad my husband and I read this book. There are some eye-opening tips here on how thieves operate and what you can do to protect your family. Never looking at home safety the same way again...
I’m glad my husband and I read this book. There are some eye-opening tips here on how thieves operate and what you can do to protect your family. Never looking at home safety the same way again...
December 31, 2021
Plenty of practical, specific advice on a wide range of home defense topics, though shorter and not as detailed as some home defense books. It walks through a "Layered Home Defense Strategy": discipline (behavior that keeps your home secure), deter (make home less attractive to attackers), fortify (increase home security), defend (you physically defend your family). The goal is to have the first 3 layers prevent you from ever needing to use the 4th.
I read this because I listen to Murphy's Secure Dad podcast, which I recommend.
Notes
Home Security Basics: What You Can Do Today
Most residential break-ins (56%) occur through a door; 34% through front door, 22% through back door.
Windows are the 2nd most common way burglars enter residences.
Window alarms trigger a siren when they detect movement or vibration.
Many people, including police, suggest putting an alarm company sign in your yard, regardless of whether you have an alarm system.
If you have an alarm system from a big-name company, don't put their sign in the yard. Instead, post a generic surveillance sign. Thieves research alarm system flaws.
Thieves can call the homeowner in the night, posing as a representative of the alarm company, to get the security code word so they can break in and give the real code word to the real alarm company.
Layered Home Defense Strategy: Deter
Dogs make a great deterrent. Any dog that can bark will alert you, which criminals don't like.
Don't post a sign that you have guns. This encourages thieves to wait until you're gone, then steal your guns.
If you can't afford to put an entry sensor on every window, use a glass break sensor alert on the sound of breaking glass.
A motion sensor can cover large spaces or long rows of windows. They're good for open-concept homes. They can differentiate a 200-pound man from a 15-pound dog.
You can use a key fob or mobile app to disarm your alarm system before you come inside.
Consider getting a panic button for your master bedroom (can be pricey).
Layered Home Defense Strategy: Fortify
Before going on vacation, consider flipping the breaker off for the garage door. This can keep the door down, preventing it from being opened electronically until the breaker is flipped back on.
Most home builders use hollow, metal doors filled with fiberglass for the front door. Replace hollow doors with wooden ones, which are usually solid and much heavier. This can be costly.
Avoid front doors with embedded windows, as a burglar can easily smash the glass, reach inside, and unlock the door. This also goes for windows around the door frame.
A door reinforcer is a plate that surrounds the deadbolt and knob. They keep the door from splitting during a kick-in style attack.
Ensure exterior doors have strong strike plates, ideally with a strike box. Use 2" screws.
A storm door makes it more difficult for a person to reach the main door to pick the lock or kick it in. It also allows you to talk to someone outside without opening the storm door. Don't get one with shatterproof glass, in case emergency response needs to get into your house.
Smart locks can be hacked, so a keypad lock is safer.
Door jammers (e.g., BuddyBar Door Jammer) provide resistance against kick-in attacks and bump key attacks.
A flip guard prevents a deadbolt from being unlocked, providing resistance to bump key attacks.
Layered Home Defense Strategy: Defend
Tasers don't always stop someone. They're less effective than guns, but more effective than pepper spray.
Pepper spray is dangerous indoors due to overspray, blowback, and getting into HVAC system, and not recommended for home defense.
A baseball bat to the head can injure or kill, but if the attacker gets within arm's reach, it's ineffective.
You should tell the intruder to leave your home, for legal purposes.
Have a "safe room" on same floor where family sleeps, where family can quickly gather if an intruder enters the home. It should have a door you can barricade and a window facing the street.
In safe room, store spare key with light-up keychain to throw to police, folding knife, bright flashlight, signal horn.
How to Secure Your Home While on Vacation
When on vacation, use light timers to mimic your typical light usage.
When leaving for vacation, set alarm system to night mode so it alerts immediately (rather than away mode which alerts after a delay).
Put fireproof safe somewhere other than master bedroom.
Before you leave for vacation, take photos of locked doors, stove turned off, thermostat, etc., to put your mind at ease later.
I read this because I listen to Murphy's Secure Dad podcast, which I recommend.
Notes
Home Security Basics: What You Can Do Today
Most residential break-ins (56%) occur through a door; 34% through front door, 22% through back door.
Windows are the 2nd most common way burglars enter residences.
Window alarms trigger a siren when they detect movement or vibration.
Many people, including police, suggest putting an alarm company sign in your yard, regardless of whether you have an alarm system.
If you have an alarm system from a big-name company, don't put their sign in the yard. Instead, post a generic surveillance sign. Thieves research alarm system flaws.
Thieves can call the homeowner in the night, posing as a representative of the alarm company, to get the security code word so they can break in and give the real code word to the real alarm company.
Layered Home Defense Strategy: Deter
Dogs make a great deterrent. Any dog that can bark will alert you, which criminals don't like.
Don't post a sign that you have guns. This encourages thieves to wait until you're gone, then steal your guns.
If you can't afford to put an entry sensor on every window, use a glass break sensor alert on the sound of breaking glass.
A motion sensor can cover large spaces or long rows of windows. They're good for open-concept homes. They can differentiate a 200-pound man from a 15-pound dog.
You can use a key fob or mobile app to disarm your alarm system before you come inside.
Consider getting a panic button for your master bedroom (can be pricey).
Layered Home Defense Strategy: Fortify
Before going on vacation, consider flipping the breaker off for the garage door. This can keep the door down, preventing it from being opened electronically until the breaker is flipped back on.
Most home builders use hollow, metal doors filled with fiberglass for the front door. Replace hollow doors with wooden ones, which are usually solid and much heavier. This can be costly.
Avoid front doors with embedded windows, as a burglar can easily smash the glass, reach inside, and unlock the door. This also goes for windows around the door frame.
A door reinforcer is a plate that surrounds the deadbolt and knob. They keep the door from splitting during a kick-in style attack.
Ensure exterior doors have strong strike plates, ideally with a strike box. Use 2" screws.
A storm door makes it more difficult for a person to reach the main door to pick the lock or kick it in. It also allows you to talk to someone outside without opening the storm door. Don't get one with shatterproof glass, in case emergency response needs to get into your house.
Smart locks can be hacked, so a keypad lock is safer.
Door jammers (e.g., BuddyBar Door Jammer) provide resistance against kick-in attacks and bump key attacks.
A flip guard prevents a deadbolt from being unlocked, providing resistance to bump key attacks.
Layered Home Defense Strategy: Defend
Tasers don't always stop someone. They're less effective than guns, but more effective than pepper spray.
Pepper spray is dangerous indoors due to overspray, blowback, and getting into HVAC system, and not recommended for home defense.
A baseball bat to the head can injure or kill, but if the attacker gets within arm's reach, it's ineffective.
You should tell the intruder to leave your home, for legal purposes.
Have a "safe room" on same floor where family sleeps, where family can quickly gather if an intruder enters the home. It should have a door you can barricade and a window facing the street.
In safe room, store spare key with light-up keychain to throw to police, folding knife, bright flashlight, signal horn.
How to Secure Your Home While on Vacation
When on vacation, use light timers to mimic your typical light usage.
When leaving for vacation, set alarm system to night mode so it alerts immediately (rather than away mode which alerts after a delay).
Put fireproof safe somewhere other than master bedroom.
Before you leave for vacation, take photos of locked doors, stove turned off, thermostat, etc., to put your mind at ease later.
Want to read
December 18, 2022Andy Murphy hosts Secure Dad podcast. It also has an episode (2/8/2022) on Protecting Your Online Privacy which points me to this helpful DIY Opt-Out Guide to protect your data and remove personal information from the internet for free.
December 14, 2018
Great information
I love that this book doesn’t just state that we need to be safe and give a philosophy on safety (as some books do). Andy actually takes the time to give actionable steps that can be taken to become more secure.
I love that this book doesn’t just state that we need to be safe and give a philosophy on safety (as some books do). Andy actually takes the time to give actionable steps that can be taken to become more secure.
February 16, 2020
This book provides some very useful information on mindset and what simple steps we can take in securing our homes. As Mr. Murphy states, “there is no one size that fits all” but the information shared can afford you the ability to create your own plan.
May 8, 2020
Great quick read, jam packed with useful information. I enjoyed reading this very well organized, clearly written book on how to secure your home and keep yourself and your family safe. It’s about being prepared and having a plan in place when the unexpected happens.
June 16, 2020
Some great, practical suggestions made for home security in this book! Very easy-to-read and a quick read as well.
November 15, 2020
Nothing earth shattering. Most common sense stuff.
Save your money and use your brain. Would only recommend to people who are clueless and or not very detail oriented.
Save your money and use your brain. Would only recommend to people who are clueless and or not very detail oriented.
July 1, 2021
Excellent Read!
Every Family and homeowner needs to read this book! Very well written with clear and practical suggestions to keep your family and home safe!
Every Family and homeowner needs to read this book! Very well written with clear and practical suggestions to keep your family and home safe!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews