Here’s a surprising statistic: 40% of home burglaries take place while residents are on the premises. If you do not have an action plan for this potentially dangerous scenario, you may lose more than your possessions–you could lose precious loved ones.
In the unfortunate event that your house is broken into while you’re home, there are some basic guidelines. These tips come from defense training professionals, police departments, and citizen-organized safety programs. Following are a few to think about NOW to avoid danger LATER.
• If your door or window is broken into, home security alarms will be engaged. Be sure your system is programmed so the monitoring center will receive the alert if/when that happens, and then phone your home. Do NOT answer the phone if there is a burglar or prowler in your home–you won’t need to–the center will assume it is a true breach of security and dispatch assistance. In most cases, if the phone rings, the burglar will be alert to the fact that there is a home security system, and flee.
• If you do not have a home security alarms, you will need to call for help yourself. A burglar may take a landline off the hook, so use your cell phone. make sure it is properly charged all the time, and nearby. Give the authorities as much information as you can and quickly. Be as specific as possible. (Here’s an idea if you don’t have an alarm system: Call your own land line quietly from your cell phone–the burglar will think he has tripped an alarm and flee!!)
• Determine in advance which room in your home could be a designated “safe room.” This would be a room with a deadbolt lock that opens out (so an intruder cannot kick it in and get to you on the other side). Keep a charged cell phone in this room. Consider purchasing a metal brace to reinforce the door at your local home improvement store. Install and instruct deadbolts for children’s bedrooms. Instruct them on when and how to use them.
• You’ll have to evaluate the situation and decide if you should remain or flee. The professionals suggest you take these few points into consideration:
- If the room you are in is on the first floor, you may be able to leave through a window. If a second-story floor, consider using a fire escape ladder, if you have one. Don’t risk leaving out a window on higher floors.
- Consider what is at the base of your exit–you don’t want to land on anything dangerous that could cause you physical injury
- If you stay, get to your designated “safe room” and push furniture in front of the door. Use the charged cell phone in the room to call for help. Do not confront the intruder
Developing a strategy to protect your family and possessions could minimize the impact of a home invasion on your safety. Be prepared, and Be careful.