Home is where we come back to at the end of the day for comfort and security but paying enough attention to whether our home is safe to live in is just as important. It takes the smallest slip on our part and all things valuable to us, including our lives, can be ransacked by robbers who are always lurking around trying to find and sizing up their next target.

With this in mind, Godrej Locking Solutions and Systems initiated a brilliant campaign #HowSafeAreYou on 15^th November calling it #HomeSafetyDay, at the Hubble Office, Plant 13, Vikhroli. They released three videos, made with reformed real robbers, to enable us unlock the working of a robber’s mind. This is a digital campaign, and I was glad to be invited to be a part of the event as an influencer and share their vision.

The Panel Discussion

The impressive panel was an eclectic mix of personalities from different fields. Dr. Kaminidevi Bhoir – honorary Psychiatric Counsellor for Mumbai Police, Mr.Vivek Agrawal – veteran crime journalist and author, Mr. Shyam Motwani – EVP & Head of Business, Godrej Locking Solutions and Systems, Mr. Prakash Borgaonkar – Western Region Head of Helpage India and Mr. Supreet Sudhakaran, a robbery victim.

After a compiled video of a robber’s mindset was shown to us, an affable Sujit Patil, VP & Head Corporate Communications, invited the panelists and introduced them to the audience. We listened with rapt attention as they shared wonderful insights on how small negligence on our part can be the one opportunity robbers are waiting for to strike us.

Mr.Vivek Agrawal, who has interacted with criminals closely, elaborated that nothing is taboo for them and their cruelty can be unimaginable. Their modus operandi is simple yet effective and a naïve mind can fall prey to it easily.

Dr.Kaminidevi Bhoir, the panel’s psychology expert, shared the concept of Kleptomania- an Impulse control disorder and that robbers are not murderers but can turn into one if someone becomes a hurdle for them.

Mr.Prakash Borgaonkar explained that increasing occurrences of attacks on senior citizens stems from their loneliness and trustworthy nature and makes them easy targets for familiar people like house-helps, watchmen and other helpers.

Mr.Shyam Motwani, the technical expert in the panel, discussed the evolution of Godrej lever locks to the current sophisticated ones. He spoke of advanced security systems that rely on biometric and digital data and can unlock without turning keys for patients with diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s and can send notifications through an sms in case of a break-in.

This was followed by a good Q&A session and Hi-tea for the attendees. Interacting with fellow bloggers was enjoyable as always. We also received this lovely goodie bag as a takeaway.

Important points to consider:

~ Investing in a good lock isn’t a choice, it is a requirement.

~ Frequently changing personnel like security guards, house-helps etc must be avoided. Register them and make sure they do their jobs vigilantly.

~ Keep an eye out for any markings on your house or presence of unauthorised CCTV cameras in front of your doors.

~ Thumbprints on biometric locks must be wiped out after use.

~ Stray dogs can be our silent protectors and inexpensive alarms. Don’t ward them off.

~ Like our phones, television sets and other technical gadgets, updating our security system should also be a priority.

~ Duplicating keys or purchase of locks must not be delegated and should be carried out ourselves.

Home safety is of utmost importance and deserves only the best security solutions. Next time you hand over your home keys to someone or plan for a long vacation, stop for a moment and ask yourself, #HowSafeAreYou?

You can watch the video here: