1 00:00:11,070 --> 00:00:13,410 Andy: This is The Secure Family Podcast. 2 00:00:13,440 --> 00:00:15,300 Welcome friend I'm Andy Murphy. 3 00:00:15,750 --> 00:00:19,800 This show is all about empowering parents to protect themselves and their family. 4 00:00:20,310 --> 00:00:24,090 I believe that security is the foundation of happiness, and I want 5 00:00:24,090 --> 00:00:25,800 your family to be safe and happy. 6 00:00:26,160 --> 00:00:29,250 If that sounds like something that resonates with you, subscribe to 7 00:00:29,250 --> 00:00:32,580 the show because there is always something new to talk about. 8 00:00:33,090 --> 00:00:35,880 The information that I share on this podcast is for general 9 00:00:35,880 --> 00:00:37,590 information purposes only. 10 00:00:38,115 --> 00:00:41,745 My goal is to empower you to make safer decisions for yourself and 11 00:00:41,745 --> 00:00:46,035 your family because our safety is our own responsibility. 12 00:00:46,755 --> 00:00:49,035 Today I'm gonna share with you how to protect your home 13 00:00:49,035 --> 00:00:50,925 without the use of technology. 14 00:00:51,225 --> 00:00:55,485 Don't get me wrong, alarms and cameras are great, but burglars really 15 00:00:55,485 --> 00:00:57,255 hate when I'm about to tell you. 16 00:00:57,855 --> 00:01:01,245 All of that and more coming up on The Secure Family Podcast. 17 00:01:04,391 --> 00:01:09,191 Our personal information is being sold online, and we might believe it got there 18 00:01:09,191 --> 00:01:14,681 in a data breach or hack of some sort, but the truth is the institutions that we 19 00:01:14,681 --> 00:01:17,196 trust could be the ones selling us out. 20 00:01:17,876 --> 00:01:21,506 Chances are your bank, your state's Department of Motor Vehicles, 21 00:01:21,686 --> 00:01:25,916 and the airline you last flew on are selling your information. 22 00:01:26,246 --> 00:01:29,846 When I refinanced my mortgage, my mailbox started filling up with 23 00:01:29,846 --> 00:01:34,496 junk offers that had my name, my lender, and details about my loan. 24 00:01:34,766 --> 00:01:39,356 I also started getting more calls from numbers I didn't recognize if these 25 00:01:39,356 --> 00:01:44,786 trusted institutions are profiting from our information, who's left to protect us. 26 00:01:45,176 --> 00:01:49,346 As I've said before, it's up to us and DeleteMe can help us 27 00:01:49,346 --> 00:01:50,846 get some of our privacy back. 28 00:01:51,056 --> 00:01:54,716 Right now you can get 20% off your DeleteMe plan when you go 29 00:01:54,716 --> 00:01:59,216 to join DeleteMe.com/dad and use promo code DAD at checkout. 30 00:01:59,456 --> 00:02:03,066 That's join DeleteMe.com/dad code DAD. 31 00:02:03,426 --> 00:02:06,446 DeleteMe is a sponsor of The Secure Family Podcast. 32 00:02:15,813 --> 00:02:19,773 Home security has gotten very high tech over the last decade. 33 00:02:20,013 --> 00:02:21,963 I know because I have been watching. 34 00:02:23,043 --> 00:02:26,763 Since I've started The Secure Dad, I have seen the rise of the DIY 35 00:02:26,763 --> 00:02:32,253 alarm system, AI threat detection, and even systems that deploy drones. 36 00:02:32,648 --> 00:02:34,688 I think all of this is actually very cool. 37 00:02:34,748 --> 00:02:38,318 Now, of course, me being me, I have some privacy concerns. 38 00:02:38,528 --> 00:02:42,938 And then I'm also curious about how insurance companies have been acquiring 39 00:02:42,938 --> 00:02:45,698 large portions of home security companies. 40 00:02:45,968 --> 00:02:49,868 So like for example, State Farm owns a big stake in ADT. 41 00:02:50,148 --> 00:02:53,868 But you can listen to episode number 200 of this podcast to find out 42 00:02:53,868 --> 00:02:55,368 more about my concerns with that. 43 00:02:56,463 --> 00:03:01,473 But as cool as technology is, physical precautions are still the best ways 44 00:03:01,473 --> 00:03:03,183 to protect your home and family. 45 00:03:03,483 --> 00:03:05,613 So today I'm going to share with you how you can protect 46 00:03:05,613 --> 00:03:07,773 your home without technology. 47 00:03:08,193 --> 00:03:12,423 Or you can say, this is off grid, home security, whatever sounds best to you. 48 00:03:13,323 --> 00:03:14,543 Technology is great. 49 00:03:14,573 --> 00:03:17,213 I'm a big fan, but it has its limitations. 50 00:03:17,783 --> 00:03:19,163 While in the age of ai. 51 00:03:19,463 --> 00:03:23,693 You do have to wonder why I say that though, but the fact of the matter 52 00:03:23,693 --> 00:03:27,773 is that the power can go out and the whole thing just shuts down. 53 00:03:28,073 --> 00:03:31,253 Even with a battery backup, it won't last more than a day or so. 54 00:03:31,913 --> 00:03:33,923 And then what happens if the wifi goes out? 55 00:03:34,163 --> 00:03:39,173 Some systems still have like the 4G LTE backup, but you'd be surprised 56 00:03:39,173 --> 00:03:40,823 that some brands don't have that. 57 00:03:40,823 --> 00:03:42,893 Some of these knockoff ones don't get that. 58 00:03:42,929 --> 00:03:45,479 and I am actually genuinely surprised that there has not been a ransom 59 00:03:45,479 --> 00:03:50,249 attack that has taken down a large portion of some company's system. 60 00:03:50,249 --> 00:03:51,059 It's, it's amazing. 61 00:03:51,059 --> 00:03:52,019 It hasn't happened yet. 62 00:03:52,769 --> 00:03:57,569 Not to mention, savvy criminals now know how to bypass alarms and cameras. 63 00:03:57,569 --> 00:03:59,429 They can use jammers to do this. 64 00:03:59,429 --> 00:04:02,669 Well, that's another thing that's really happened over the last 10 years that I 65 00:04:02,669 --> 00:04:09,659 have seen the rise of is that technology has bred more technology savvy burglars. 66 00:04:09,959 --> 00:04:14,169 So it, the escalation here is crazy, and that's why I feel that 67 00:04:14,169 --> 00:04:16,899 physical security is still the best way to protect your home. 68 00:04:17,169 --> 00:04:21,249 I'm not saying that you shouldn't have an alarm system or cameras, I'm just 69 00:04:21,249 --> 00:04:25,629 letting you know that a camera isn't gonna stop someone from kicking in your 70 00:04:25,629 --> 00:04:31,269 door or come off the wall to help you if you're being assaulted in your own home. 71 00:04:32,274 --> 00:04:33,144 Those are the facts. 72 00:04:34,044 --> 00:04:36,954 So let's talk about defending your home's entry points. 73 00:04:37,284 --> 00:04:39,174 You need to have strong doors. 74 00:04:39,624 --> 00:04:43,494 FBI Statistics for a very long time have said that the most 75 00:04:43,494 --> 00:04:47,034 common way a thief enters your home is through the front door. 76 00:04:47,674 --> 00:04:51,364 Replace your hollow core doors with solid wood or steel doors 77 00:04:51,574 --> 00:04:53,134 if you have the budget for it. 78 00:04:53,434 --> 00:04:56,134 And make sure that you have a high quality deadbolt that is at least a 79 00:04:56,134 --> 00:05:01,444 grade one and buy a name brand lock and no, Yale is not a name brand lock. 80 00:05:02,194 --> 00:05:05,254 But I do have a budget friendly tip for you right now. 81 00:05:05,254 --> 00:05:09,454 For about $3, you can get two and a half to three inch wood screws to 82 00:05:09,454 --> 00:05:11,584 replace your current door hardware. 83 00:05:11,987 --> 00:05:15,557 On the door frame is the often forgotten strike plate. 84 00:05:16,007 --> 00:05:18,737 This is where the deadbolt lock really gets its strength from. 85 00:05:19,097 --> 00:05:22,007 This is the portion that actually fits into the door frame where 86 00:05:22,007 --> 00:05:26,057 the deadbolt slides into the frame and keeps the door from opening. 87 00:05:26,507 --> 00:05:31,547 People forget that when somebody kicks down a door, it's the strike plate and 88 00:05:31,547 --> 00:05:34,277 the doorframe that splinter into pieces. 89 00:05:34,277 --> 00:05:35,622 It's not the deadbolt that fails. 90 00:05:36,347 --> 00:05:37,277 It's the strike plate. 91 00:05:37,727 --> 00:05:43,307 So by replacing the standard screws with longer ones, the strike plate's resistance 92 00:05:43,307 --> 00:05:47,357 will be greatly increased, meaning that your door will withstand a few kicks. 93 00:05:47,877 --> 00:05:51,387 And while you're at it, for a few bucks more, you can upgrade to a security 94 00:05:51,387 --> 00:05:56,847 strike plate that has more anchor points for more long screws and is just 95 00:05:57,027 --> 00:05:59,127 wider than the standard strike plate. 96 00:05:59,667 --> 00:06:03,297 These security strike plates dissipate the force of a kick in 97 00:06:03,297 --> 00:06:06,957 attack on a door, making it more resistant to being forced open. 98 00:06:07,825 --> 00:06:11,005 Another thing that I suggest that families do frequently is to get a 99 00:06:11,005 --> 00:06:13,285 secondary lock for their front door. 100 00:06:13,555 --> 00:06:15,295 And I'm a big fan of FlipLok. 101 00:06:15,505 --> 00:06:16,375 You guys know this. 102 00:06:16,615 --> 00:06:21,595 Now this is a secondary lock that easily installs on any door that gives it extra 103 00:06:21,595 --> 00:06:25,635 strength and a kick in attack and will even help if your locks have been picked. 104 00:06:25,635 --> 00:06:29,445 So somebody could pick your deadbolt and the knob lock, but they still won't be 105 00:06:29,445 --> 00:06:33,465 able to get past the FlipLok because they most likely don't know that it's there. 106 00:06:34,065 --> 00:06:37,155 But the FlipLok can activate in less than a second and can withstand up 107 00:06:37,155 --> 00:06:39,315 to more than 1600 pounds of force. 108 00:06:39,375 --> 00:06:43,600 It's a great way to multiply the fortification on any exterior door. 109 00:06:45,125 --> 00:06:48,725 Now if your home has a sliding glass door, you're gonna wanna secure it 110 00:06:48,725 --> 00:06:51,395 beyond the little tiny lock that's on it. 111 00:06:51,785 --> 00:06:55,445 Now I suggest that you get a two to three foot dowel ride to place in 112 00:06:55,445 --> 00:06:57,335 the track of the door on the inside. 113 00:06:57,815 --> 00:07:00,700 By laying it flat on the track, it prevents the active 114 00:07:00,815 --> 00:07:02,495 door from sliding open. 115 00:07:02,735 --> 00:07:06,785 And this simple measure can be done in about 10 seconds. 116 00:07:07,691 --> 00:07:11,021 If you're concerned about someone breaking a window, especially one 117 00:07:11,021 --> 00:07:15,521 that is around your front door, then there is a great DIY project for you. 118 00:07:16,031 --> 00:07:21,671 3M makes this window anti-shatter film that will prevent people from 119 00:07:21,671 --> 00:07:23,831 getting through a broken window. 120 00:07:24,101 --> 00:07:28,061 Now the window will still shatter, but it will remain in place and this is a great 121 00:07:28,061 --> 00:07:32,501 way to keep up burglars, but it would be a real pain for the fire department who 122 00:07:32,501 --> 00:07:34,271 may be getting in to try to save you. 123 00:07:34,571 --> 00:07:36,941 So there is a trade off to consider. 124 00:07:37,856 --> 00:07:39,986 If you've listened to the show for long enough, then you 125 00:07:39,986 --> 00:07:41,516 know what I'm about to say. 126 00:07:41,636 --> 00:07:46,256 And that is that security does not start at your front door. 127 00:07:46,826 --> 00:07:49,166 Home security starts at the street. 128 00:07:49,826 --> 00:07:54,596 That means that we need to begin to protect our family at our property lines. 129 00:07:54,896 --> 00:07:58,586 Now, I know you may think, Hey, Andy's gonna tell me to dig a moat 130 00:07:58,586 --> 00:07:59,876 that's gonna have sharks in it. 131 00:07:59,966 --> 00:08:03,326 And while that would totally be cool, I don't think your 132 00:08:03,326 --> 00:08:04,766 HOA is gonna agree with it. 133 00:08:05,156 --> 00:08:07,946 But believe it or not, one of the best things that we can do to protect our 134 00:08:07,946 --> 00:08:11,276 home is actually add lighting to it. 135 00:08:11,846 --> 00:08:13,886 I love lighting for home security. 136 00:08:14,126 --> 00:08:17,996 Not only is it a great deterrent, it actually boosts the curb appeal of 137 00:08:17,996 --> 00:08:20,756 your home, which your HOA will like. 138 00:08:21,446 --> 00:08:24,986 If a burglar thinks that they can be seen approaching your property or 139 00:08:24,986 --> 00:08:28,466 while they're on your property, then they're not gonna step foot on it. 140 00:08:28,886 --> 00:08:32,701 They'll try another home, one that's darker, and maybe it's your neighbors. 141 00:08:33,446 --> 00:08:35,036 But that's not your problem. 142 00:08:35,606 --> 00:08:38,816 One of the easiest ways to keep somebody from trying your doorknob to 143 00:08:38,816 --> 00:08:42,596 see if your front door is unlocked, is to light up your front porch. 144 00:08:42,906 --> 00:08:45,516 You can do this by turning on your porch light every night. 145 00:08:45,876 --> 00:08:49,026 You can just get into the habit of flipping the switch before you go to bed. 146 00:08:49,416 --> 00:08:52,866 This will illuminate your entryway and the front part of your home, 147 00:08:52,956 --> 00:08:55,776 and that will hopefully keep the wrong people off of your stoop. 148 00:08:56,436 --> 00:09:00,756 Now you can also invest in a dusk to dawn light bulb that will turn on and off 149 00:09:00,756 --> 00:09:05,396 with the rising sun, but that might be considered too technologically advanced 150 00:09:05,396 --> 00:09:09,686 for some critics of this episode, but it doesn't use wifi or Bluetooth. 151 00:09:09,686 --> 00:09:10,826 So I say we're good. 152 00:09:11,126 --> 00:09:14,426 These light bulbs will cost about $15 for two of them. 153 00:09:14,666 --> 00:09:16,856 You simply screw them into the socket. 154 00:09:17,096 --> 00:09:20,006 You flip the switch on once and you're done. 155 00:09:20,276 --> 00:09:21,776 The light bulb takes care of the rest. 156 00:09:22,591 --> 00:09:26,641 I've also had listeners rave about gravel walkways around their home. 157 00:09:26,911 --> 00:09:30,031 The sound of gravel moving under someone's feet can alert 158 00:09:30,031 --> 00:09:32,251 you to any unwanted visitors. 159 00:09:32,251 --> 00:09:34,171 I do think that this is a great idea. 160 00:09:34,471 --> 00:09:37,021 If that's in your budget and that is something that you think 161 00:09:37,021 --> 00:09:39,751 will add curb appeal to your home, I think you go for it. 162 00:09:41,086 --> 00:09:45,076 And of course, fencing is a great way to define your property and determine the 163 00:09:45,076 --> 00:09:47,536 intent of anybody who tries to cross them. 164 00:09:48,046 --> 00:09:51,286 If you have a six foot privacy fence in your backyard, it's 165 00:09:51,286 --> 00:09:52,816 gonna be difficult to climb over. 166 00:09:53,116 --> 00:09:56,086 And if anyone does make it over, you know that they're 167 00:09:56,086 --> 00:09:57,736 not there to sell you cookies. 168 00:09:58,036 --> 00:10:00,136 Their intent is not good. 169 00:10:00,836 --> 00:10:04,766 And this leads me to one of my favorite ways to improve the security 170 00:10:04,766 --> 00:10:07,856 of anybody's home, and that is a dog. 171 00:10:08,366 --> 00:10:11,096 Dogs are great for so many reasons, but they can actually 172 00:10:11,096 --> 00:10:12,356 help you protect your home. 173 00:10:12,716 --> 00:10:15,626 Now, I don't want you to think that your nine-year-old Bassett hound is going to 174 00:10:15,626 --> 00:10:17,786 save you from a knife wielding murderer. 175 00:10:18,146 --> 00:10:19,856 Chances are that's not gonna happen. 176 00:10:20,321 --> 00:10:23,621 Unless your dog has been trained by professionals, they will most 177 00:10:23,621 --> 00:10:25,811 likely not physically defend you. 178 00:10:26,351 --> 00:10:30,101 I know we all love stories in the news where that does happen, but untrained 179 00:10:30,101 --> 00:10:32,111 dogs will fend for themselves first. 180 00:10:32,111 --> 00:10:34,721 That's just how the mammal brain works. 181 00:10:35,561 --> 00:10:39,161 But what dogs do bring to the table is their alert senses, like 182 00:10:39,161 --> 00:10:40,961 their hearing and heightened smell. 183 00:10:41,471 --> 00:10:44,441 They can hear somebody approaching better than we can and we 184 00:10:44,441 --> 00:10:46,361 want them to start barking. 185 00:10:46,821 --> 00:10:50,121 Barking is how dogs alert their loved ones, that there 186 00:10:50,121 --> 00:10:51,591 is a developing situation. 187 00:10:51,951 --> 00:10:55,581 They don't necessarily know what they're barking at is bad, but they're 188 00:10:55,581 --> 00:10:59,031 going to sound the alarm and that's all that we can really ask of them. 189 00:10:59,481 --> 00:11:02,571 So if you've been trying to convince your spouse that you need a dog. 190 00:11:03,036 --> 00:11:04,656 Tell them it's a matter of safety. 191 00:11:05,548 --> 00:11:10,174 Another technology freeway to secure your home is to make it look occupied. 192 00:11:10,594 --> 00:11:13,504 The average burglar does not want to confront you. 193 00:11:13,804 --> 00:11:15,514 They wanna grab your stuff and go. 194 00:11:15,874 --> 00:11:18,724 Fighting with somebody is not on their agenda. 195 00:11:19,054 --> 00:11:21,604 So let's go over a few things that will make your home look 196 00:11:21,634 --> 00:11:23,374 active even while you're away. 197 00:11:24,244 --> 00:11:25,969 First, you can leave the lights on while you're gone. 198 00:11:26,459 --> 00:11:27,359 Pretty simple step. 199 00:11:27,779 --> 00:11:30,929 They can be seen from the outside and cast doubt that somebody may 200 00:11:30,929 --> 00:11:32,879 be home when it's fully dark. 201 00:11:33,699 --> 00:11:37,719 You can also leave on the TV for the sound and also the lighting pattern 202 00:11:37,719 --> 00:11:41,019 that a cast on the ceiling that could sometimes be seen outside. 203 00:11:41,019 --> 00:11:42,429 We all know what this looks like. 204 00:11:42,560 --> 00:11:45,110 It will make it look like somebody is home watching TV. 205 00:11:45,764 --> 00:11:48,734 you can also leave on your radio just to make sure that your house 206 00:11:48,734 --> 00:11:50,174 doesn't sound completely silent. 207 00:11:50,714 --> 00:11:53,864 Anything that you can do to make your home look realistically 208 00:11:53,864 --> 00:11:56,054 occupied is a great deterrent. 209 00:11:57,164 --> 00:12:00,224 And lastly, home security is a daily commitment. 210 00:12:00,794 --> 00:12:03,554 We could protect our home and our loved ones by committing 211 00:12:03,554 --> 00:12:05,974 to simple, daily routines. 212 00:12:06,304 --> 00:12:09,964 This means checking the door locks and windows before you go to bed. 213 00:12:10,234 --> 00:12:12,604 Teaching your kids to lock the door behind them. 214 00:12:12,904 --> 00:12:16,024 Remembering to turn on the lights and the radio before you leave. 215 00:12:16,394 --> 00:12:19,694 These are all simple, no technology solutions that 216 00:12:19,694 --> 00:12:21,824 will defend what matters most. 217 00:12:22,654 --> 00:12:24,064 So there's the big secret. 218 00:12:24,514 --> 00:12:29,764 Physical home defenses and planning is far better than what technology can do for us. 219 00:12:30,239 --> 00:12:33,839 But alarm systems have great marketing and they're telling you that their 220 00:12:33,839 --> 00:12:37,319 system is all that you're going to need, but now you know better. 221 00:12:37,799 --> 00:12:40,709 And by the way, this is what home security looked like in the late 222 00:12:40,949 --> 00:12:43,229 19 hundreds when I was a kid. 223 00:12:43,709 --> 00:12:45,869 And while this may sound very old school. 224 00:12:46,289 --> 00:12:47,249 It still works. 225 00:12:47,968 --> 00:12:51,818 Technology is great, and I am absolutely not against it. 226 00:12:52,088 --> 00:12:56,078 I do suggest that you have an alarm system and cameras, and if you're gonna have an 227 00:12:56,078 --> 00:12:58,388 alarm system, please pay for monitoring. 228 00:12:58,418 --> 00:12:59,618 It makes it a whole lot better. 229 00:13:00,008 --> 00:13:04,568 But when the power goes out or the wifi drops, these physical defenses 230 00:13:04,568 --> 00:13:08,588 are what really stand between your family and a wouldbe attacker. 231 00:13:09,218 --> 00:13:14,078 Home security does not have to be complicated, it just has to be consistent. 232 00:13:14,828 --> 00:13:16,118 So start with the basics. 233 00:13:16,268 --> 00:13:20,828 Keep up those daily routines, make those physical fortifications and remember 234 00:13:21,158 --> 00:13:26,138 every step that you take makes your home a harder target for a bad guy, and 235 00:13:26,138 --> 00:13:28,538 that makes your family so much safer. 236 00:13:32,628 --> 00:13:36,498 Well, that's everything that I have for this episode of The Secure Family Podcast. 237 00:13:36,948 --> 00:13:40,458 Take back your privacy and personal data with help from DeleteMe. 238 00:13:40,848 --> 00:13:44,958 Get 20% off a privacy plan when using the Code Dad at checkout, 239 00:13:45,488 --> 00:13:49,098 DeleteMe is the official data removal service of The Secure Dad. 240 00:13:49,998 --> 00:13:53,088 If you enjoyed this episode or learn something new today, I'd be 241 00:13:53,088 --> 00:13:54,648 grateful if you'd follow the show. 242 00:13:54,828 --> 00:13:58,608 Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform, or leave a five star review. 243 00:13:59,621 --> 00:14:01,391 Learn how to freeze your child's credit. 244 00:14:01,391 --> 00:14:05,321 With my free guide, I'll share with you why this is important, how the 245 00:14:05,321 --> 00:14:09,131 process works, and help you gather all the information that you're gonna need. 246 00:14:09,611 --> 00:14:12,401 You can download it for free at the link in the show notes. 247 00:14:12,898 --> 00:14:14,998 If you'd like to know more about The Secure Dad, join 248 00:14:14,998 --> 00:14:16,618 me on Instagram and TikTok. 249 00:14:16,858 --> 00:14:20,038 My username for both platforms is The Secure Dad. 250 00:14:20,668 --> 00:14:23,128 I'm Andy Murphy reminding you that our safety. 251 00:14:23,503 --> 00:14:25,033 Is our own responsibility.