According to the 2019 annual Crime in Kentucky report, a total of 69,062 Larceny/Theft offenses were reported. A total of 16,251 Burglary/Breaking and Entering offenses were reported. Finally, a total of 2,519 Robbery offenses were reported in the state of Kentucky. Covering 541.5 square miles, Warren County, Kentucky is the 10^th-largest county in Kentucky by area. With crimes being reported every day, the Warren County Home Economists in Home and Community group requested for Kristi Shive, Warren County Family and Consumer Sciences Agent teach a lesson on home security.

In order to meet this request, Kristi presented a lesson titled, “How Secure Are You?” The Goal of the lesson was to encourage participants to be more mindful of their home security as well as instill confidence by creating a safer environment of the individuals participating in the lesson. Points that were covered included: mindful hiding places for spare keys, having well-lit exteriors, evaluating valuable yard items, and more.

100 % of participants reported that they planned on taking steps to increase their home security. A few examples of the steps they planned to take include:

1. “Get a smart container for spare house key”.
2. “My cellar windows need to be more secure”.
3. “We have a security system but this lesson reminded me of important aspects of safety”.
4. “Be sure my hidden key is more secure”.

90% of participants reported feeling more confident in creating a safer environment for themselves.

85% stated that they were better aware of ways to improve their home security.

80% reported an increase in their knowledge about the importance of securing their homes.

80% reported that they are more security conscious than they were before the lesson.

Due to the success of the lesson, Kristi plans to present this lesson to the Mammoth Cave Area Homemakers in fall of 2021. She also plans to expand the lesson to cover Cyber Security.