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Family protection – one of the considerations in layered security

I have previously written about the layers and priorities considered during a Residential security survey but this editorial will focus on the core incentive for taking professional advice on security.

The security and sanctuary your home affords you and your Family.

Safety and security for the ones you love is a basic human need. When your wealth or status expose you to an increased risk of targeted burglary, Kidnap or other people’s unhealthy fixations on you; you and your family need to know what to do in an emergency.

Last night, my 8 year old returned from a cubs visit to our local fire station and asked me what we should do if we have a fire in our house. The officer hosting the children suggested that all families should know all the escape routes available in the event of a fire because it only takes 8 minutes for a fire to become uncontrollable. This is great advice and I would like to use this question in reinforcing my message to you, the reader. If it only takes a professional Burglar 8 minutes to gain access into your home (less if they don’t have to be stealthy) what will your priority be? What is your plan? In a sleepy panic, its too late to try and work it out in the moment! My child’s question has made my family more prepared for a fire emergency (I also promise to check my smoke alarm weekly!). Hopefully this editorial will help you prepare for the worst case scenario.

This month, I have been writing up the reports for a residential security assessments that raised these questions. I am also consulting on the installation of a Panic room in another isolated estate. The identification of safe havens and considerations that ask the question “what will I do if someone invades my home?” No one wants to consider, but everyone should.

The consequences for not being prepared are vast. The obvious exposure to violence for your family is the greatest of these. The threats of violence against your family to force you to open safes, hand over fine art, the keys to your car show room or stables are a secondary consideration. None of these risks would be applicable if the family were secure inside a safe haven, be it a panic room or a hidden sanctuary.

How do you decide what is appropriate?

Appropriate to the risk, appropriate build, appropriate expense. These are personal questions that can only be decided by the individual fears of the family. Everyone’s risk appetite is different.  An appropriately trained and experienced security consultant will add clarity to this process by advising on differing options and balancing the likelihood of risk events happening against the impact on the family if they did.

In some cases, the family will need a purpose built safe room. These can be constructed with a variety of defensive materials to fit a room or area that can be secreted behind walls or a wardrobe.

Another option is a modular safe room reinforcing a room identified as a good location. However, sometimes the simple upgrading of an ensuite bathroom door will offer a safe haven that will provide sanctuary for the time it takes for the Police to arrive.

The location of a safe haven is paramount. The first question to ask is…”In an emergency, what is my priority?” If the answer is to gather the children together, the safe haven must be located close to the children’s rooms. This simple consideration will reduce the time it takes to get to the safe haven. If the answer is to secure jewellery, locate your safe in the safe haven then you need only look after yourselves.

Once secured in the safe haven, how do you let the Police know you are under attack? Did you think to pick up  your mobile phone in the panic? There must be some form of reliable communications in the safe haven that cannot be manipulated by a criminal in the house.

Is there water and food in the safe haven? You should not be in there for too long (Our Police are effective in their response to such crime), this is why ensuites are often a good options because they have a toilet (useful in stressful situations), running water and usually only a small window if at all.

If you would like to consider your emergency plans and/ or the applicability of a safe haven for your family, contact Rick Mounfield, Eden’s Chartered Security Professional for advice. Eps@edenprivatestaff.com  tel: 0207 471 6000

April 4, 2017

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