Home Safety - 2

The next Home Safety topic is: Home Invasion.  This topic is a bit hard to research.  Why?  The authorities have not decided on a single definition of home invasion.  Plus the FBI nor any other police authority track/classify home invasion differently from similar crimes.  The media has been accused of labeling some incidents as home invasions when in fact they are more of home robbery.  The few facts we do have seem to point to the reduction of home invasions across the nation.  That is great news, but do not celebrate too prematurely.
 

My point of doing this article is to make you think and consider the safety of your family.  On that note, have you considered what you will do if armed individuals forced their way into your home?  Do you have items in your home which would make you more of target than your neighbor?  Do you have a means of protecting your family? 

Lets talk weapons in the home…  Are your weapons secure and out of the reach of curios little hands/minds?  If you need to get to the weapon, how quickly can you make that happen?  Have you taught your children where they should hide in the case of a break-in while the family is home or they are home alone?  Have you considered, in case invaders were after your child, how long would it take for you to get to her/him from any point in your home?  Do you KNOW the laws regarding how much force you can legally use to protect your family in your home?

I love the last question.  Most believe, my castle is my home so you invade I have the right to use deadly force to prevent you harming my family. That way of thinking is right and wrong at the same time.  You have to make a split second decision on how you will react to the invasion.  It is the District Attorney's decision of whether the amount of force you used was warranted.  Please read the following article by the website Georgia Packing (you can click the link to the left to go to the article):

Deadly Force

There are 3 code sections that govern when lethal or deadly force may lawfully be used.

Defense from a forcible felony; A person is justified in using threats or force to the degree they reasonably believe it is necessary to stop another person's imminent use of unlawful force. A person is justified in using deadly force which may harm or kill only if he or she reasonably believes that such force is necessary to prevent death or great bodily injury to himself or herself or a third person or to prevent the commission of a forcible felony (unless it is regarding defense of habitation, which has it's own requirements below). You are not justified if you were the aggressor or you are/were/on-the-way-to committing a felony. (The state has pre-empted local cities and counties from further restricting this defense.)(16-3-21)

Defense of habitation; (here habitation means dwelling, motor vehicle, or place of business) A person is justified in the use of force which is intended or likely to cause death or great bodily harm only if:

1. A person is breaking\has broken into your home in a violent and tumultuous manner, and you think that the intruder is going to assault you or someone else living there.
2. A person who is not a member of the family or household and who unlawfully and forcibly enters the residence and you know it is an unlawful entry.
3. The person using such force reasonably believes that the entry is made or attempted for the purpose of committing a felony therein and that such force is necessary to prevent the commission of the felony.

(16-3-23)

Defense of property other than habitation; Lethal force cannot be used to protect real property unless the person using such force reasonably believes that it is necessary to prevent the commission of a forcible felony.(16-3-24)

(Stand Your Ground/Shoot First/License To Murder - went into effect July 1st, 2006) If you have determined you need to use lethal force (as stated in one of the underlined "Defense" sections immediately above) you do not have to try to retreat before using that force. If your defense is valid, you are immune from criminal prosecution (unless it is illegal to carry that weapon where you used it) and civil liability actions.(16-3-23.1, 16-3-24.2, 51-11-9)

I found a great article on the website Home Invasion News (click the link to go to the article) which has some good information for your review.  I would not discuss most of this with your children unless you want to have a guest in your bed for the next two months.  This topic can be a bit scary for little ones to comprehend, so please be careful when and if you plan to discuss most of these issues with them.  Please do NOT consider this a bible on home invasion.  My intention is to start the discussion and make a PLAN!!! Plan to stay alive for your family.  Just like in project management, in order not to fail, you must plan.  If you fail to plan, then you plan to fail!

Continue to love your family as our SBBW family grows together!

SBBW Newsletter - July 2012 What's Going On At SBBW

Home Safety - Part 1

How much thought have you given to your family’s reaction in the event of a real-life emergency? Most of you realize that I take ALL of your safety in consideration at SBBW and not just physical attacks.  For the next few months I will review ideas for you to discuss and plan with your family.  The first event is: FIRE!

Fire departments in the US responded to approximately 384,000 home fires in 2010. No one can pinpoint any one cause for you to be weary of in your home.  All you can do is plan for a number of “just in cases”.

For example, today many home owners keep a fire extinguisher in their kitchens.  GREAT IDEA! But what if you were in bed and the fire has already started up the stairs completely cutting off your exit to the front door?  What would you do? 

The great news is fire extinguishers are fairly cheap today.  Maybe you should consider purchasing another one or three to be placed in the master bedroom and other accessible spots on the upper level.

Have you considered what will you do or your children do if a fire cuts off your access to them?  Have you taught your children how to respond in the event of  a fire?  Do your children know how to operate the fire extinguisher? Do they have accessible escape ladders in their rooms in case of a fire?  I can easily imagine some parents concern that their children will use the escape ladder to slip out of their bedroom windows, but is the alternative worth the risk?  I hope you make the right decision for your family.

What is the plan in case you and your children are separated after a fire?  Do you have a central meeting point where everyone is expected to gather once they are safe?  Do you have neighbors you can trust for the safety of your children in case you are injured?  Have you discussed these options with your children and your neighbors? Do your children know to touch a door to check for excessive heat indicating a fire on the other side?

I have covered some broad strokes here, so let me break down where you might want to begin:

• Make an escape plan! Keep it simple, but have more than one option in case the original route has been cut off.
• Establish a Central Meeting Point to be used after an incident.
• Review the plan at least every three (3) months, if not more often.
• Teach your children to properly use fire extinguishers.
• Check the batteries in your smoke detectors.  Replace dead batteries or broken units immediately.
• Teach your children and practice touching a door to check for a fire on the other side before opening the door.
• Purchase fire extinguishers to place in strategic areas on the upper level of your home (master bedroom, hall closet, linen closet, etc.).
• If you do not have a fire extinguisher in your kitchen, please purchase one immediately.  If you have one, please check it to ensure it is full charged.

Please remember these are only a FEW ideas of things to make your family a bit safer.  Please use the following and other websites to learn more:  www.nfpa.org or www.mariettaga.gov/city/fire.  Your family's safety is in your hands.  Please do not hesitate to ensure you all remain safe.

Continue to love your family as our SBBW family grows together!

(NOTE:  Instructor Smith is NOT a fire prevention expert.  The blog is his opinion and an accumulation of articles he has read and seminars he has attended.  Heed this advice at your own risk.)

No Does Not Mean I Do Not Love You

Have you ever told your child NO, for good reason, then s/he got so upset you were told, “You don’t love me. I hate you.”  Children need to understand that NO does not mean you do not love them. 

The best approach is to tell your child no and explain to them why you are saying no, if you are not agitated and if warranted.  If you find yourself agitated, please take a minute to calm yourself then explain your reason.  Keep in mind that no one, adult nor child, can hear when you are screaming at them in anger! Always remember we are very large to our little people and a towering giant screaming at the top of their lungs while standing over them can be terrifying, plus ineffective. Talking in a calm, rational, stern voice works every time.

When you are explaining, only explain your reason for saying no, not your action or attempt to defend your action.  To protect your children you have the right and responsibility to keep them from harm.  The way to do that many times is to say NO to some requests.  Keep your answer short and concise. You are not on trial and do not have to justify wanting to protect your child.

Love your family as our SMAA family grows together!

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SBBW JUNE CURRICULUM SCHEDULE:

SPARRING:  June 5 - 9 (Safety Gear Required)
BASICS AND FORMS:  June 12 - 16
SELF-DEFENSE:  June 19 - 23 (Safety Gear Required)
POWER AND KNOWLEDGE:  June 26 - 30