The holidays are always a time for celebrations and while most people prefer to stay at home to have fun with family and friends, others prefer to go on vacations. This is an opportunity that many burglars and thieves take advantage of because they know that homes are at their most vulnerable when there’s no one around. To keep your home safe during the holidays, here are some of the most effective home security systems you can use:

Door and window alarms
The entry and exit points of every home can also be its weakest areas. These are commonly used by intruders to break into your home. To keep your home safe, install alarms that will go off in case of unauthorized entry.

For door and window alarms, you have two choices: one that works independently and one that is connected to a home security company. A home security system could sound a loud alarm to alert neighbors, passersby and other people. The sound can often be enough to scare away a burglar and deter them from going further.

Another option is to use an alarm system that is rigged to go off silently. This is an alarm that is monitored remotely by a second party, usually the company from whom you purchase the system. After checking if the alarm is legitimate and not just a false alarm caused by accidental tripping, the company will alert authorities to check your home for you.

Security cameras
Security cameras have time and again helped protect and prevent homes from burglaries and other crimes. Once installed in strategic locations, security camera systems can deter potential criminals from entering your property.

If you rig your home security system to be monitored remotely, a security camera system can alert you in advance so you could immediately call authorities on site. In case a burglary does occur, security cameras can monitor and record any activities and help in the identification of the criminals.

Automatic timers
Another very useful home security system you could use is an automatic timer. You could install this for outdoor lights (patio, garage doors, yard, etc.) or for radios and/or TVs inside your home. Automatic timers can be programmed to switch lights, radios or TVs on at a particular time of the day or night and keep them on for a specific number of hours. This can be very effective in making your house appear as if it has occupants in it, even if you’re away for the holidays.

fake TV image

It is said that the best cure is always prevention. The same holds true when it comes to handling and facing life-threatening situations. When the body goes into a fight or flight mode, it can sometimes be difficult to keep a straight head and avoid panicking. When it comes to defending yourself and your loved ones, one of the best techniques to use is anticipatory self-defense. It could help prevent a difficult situation and might be the best way out in case of a confrontation.

What is anticipatory self-defense?
The principle of anticipatory self-defense is based on prevention. Instead of waiting for a dangerous situation to arise, it’s much better to try to anticipate what might happen and prepare for it than to find solutions when the situation is already occurring. That way, danger may be averted and a difficult situation defused.

To apply anticipatory self-defense, here are some things to remember:

Learn to assess the situation
An important first step to anticipatory self-defense is assessment of the situation and the environment. Why is the situation happening? Who are involved? What type of environment are you in? Is it possible to put a damper on the situation? If not, what would be the possible results – a confrontation, an argument, a physical fight? Are you capable of defending yourself? Are there self-defense weapons you could use? Do you have an escape route?

Avoid confrontation as much as possible
Anticipatory self-defense is not about acting out an immediate counter attack. It’s important to try to see if a confrontation can be avoided through physical evasion or verbal contact. If not, only then should physical self-defense techniques be used.

Find an escape route
Having an escape route may just be your best bet to run away and save your life. In case a threat escalates or you discover yourself at a huge disadvantage, you might put yourself and whoever it is you may be protecting in greater danger if you stay and fight. Look for a way to escape the situation or at least to minimize the threat, such as allowing your companion/s to escape while fighting off the attacker.

Once the attacker has been neutralized, an escape route will also come in handy in case you need to leave the scene immediately.

Neutralize the attack with efficiency
The key to anticipatory self-defense is to use force with efficiency. Using too much force might exhaust you of much-needed energy. Use sufficient force to neutralize an enemy but reserve some in case further attacks from other opponents come.

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