Safety During Deployment
Things to consider.
by Whitney Bailey
Keep your house looking the same. Just as a pile of newspapers and mail is a signal to criminals that you’re gone on vacation, a previously immaculate lawn looking overgrown and weedy can tip off others that you’re at home by yourself.
Don’t hang service banners. This may be both the easiest and hardest thing to do. It can be a frustrating decision, but you should only hang service banners inside your home where they are not visible from the outside. Also, if you are having service or repair work done in your home, be sure to remove anything that might notify a stranger that your spouse is away.
Avoid distribution lists. Many groups create lists of deployed soldiers and distribute them to those who ask how they can help support our troops. Their purpose is often to give others the opportunity to send packages or letters. However, many people with good intentions will often photocopy and distribute the list even further. Once this happens, there is no way to control who knows that your spouse is deployed.
Invest in additional safety features. Even if a high-tech security system is not an option, there are many other inexpensive ways to make your home safer and help give you peace of mind. Motion sensors can be installed on previously existing exterior lighting and can alert you if someone is nearing your home.
And,
- -Avoid using “Keep my soldier safe” ribbons on your vehicle
- -Ensure your home is well lit at night and entryways are visible
- -Mow your grass often and keep your yard tidy
- -Be wary of adding your name to support lists. Ask questions and ensure that the list will not be distributed to others
- -Talk to children about who they can and can’t tell about your spouse’s deployment
- -Keep cars parked outside clean and move them frequently