Carl Crossman Blog

When we were looking around for a new home to move into, we considered several things before deciding to purchase our house. The price was of course a factor, as well as its location. We wanted good schools for our kids and a relatively good neighborhood to raise them in. Since we moved in about five years ago, we have found that we made a pretty good choice. There have been a few incidents though that has turned our minds toward being more secure.

While reading the local paper, I discovered that some houses near ours had been robbed. The authorities caught the man responsible, but it was still unsettling. I began to wonder how secure our own home was and did a little research online. I found a lot of good information in what is called the backup battery and equipment guide. It’s a neat checklist of items that can help you decide if your home is secure.

I began to think that it might be wise to put a few dollars toward a security video camera. I don’t think we need anything real fancy, but just something that would help me keep tabs on who visits the house. I also started looking into the different security systems that are out there and their prices. I found some good stuff and am talking things over about it with my wife.

I believe that all in our entire neighborhood is safe. But on the other hand, you can never be too careful. I would hate to think that something happened that could have been prevented. I think everyone should consider their own security methods and work to improve them. I believe it will make everyone safer.

One of my next door neighbors did a really stupid thing last night that was almost tragic. He was trying to start a small black Webber grill on the grass by the pool, and he used a big plastic can of starter fluid to soak the coals.

Now, there’s nothing wrong with that if you do it right. You are supposed to soak the coals before lighting them. But the coals didn’t seem to be burning hot enough to suit him, so he squirted more starter fluid on the coals after they were already lit. I saw this from our balcony and was freaked out. The flames ran up the stream of starter fluid and got into the can he was holding, and it exploded.

Thank God no one was badly hurt. His face and arms are a little burned and it singed his chest hairs. But that’s the worst of it. He got lucky.