You hear the smash of glass and the sound of someone entering your home. Your pulse quickens and your eyes scan your possessions and your loved ones who are also scared. What happens when everyone looks to you for help? You need a plan and a way to protect yourself.
Luckily, there are specific steps you can take in order to make your home more safe. After some planning and practice you and your loved ones will be ready for anything.
The very first step in protecting your home from a potential invasion is to sit down and make a plan for the whole family. It’s essential that you involve everyone living with you at the time, be it family or roommates. Everyone should have a say and should understand the importance of their assigned role in the plan. Everyone should have a role and a job to do in the plan, even if it’s just to go to a certain room and stay there. After everyone has their assignments, make sure to practice occasionally and even in the dark. If each person has one thing to remember, they’ll act quickly and with purpose.
It can help to choose a short phrase or word that lets everyone know that it’s time to execute the safety plan that you’ve created. When they hear the phrase, they should know exactly where to go and what to do. Using a phrase like, “It’s an emergency” or something similar lets even your youngest know that it’s time to move without any explanations.
The second step is one you should have already considered. Keep your defensive firearm accessible and secure. This means that you have chosen one particular firearm that you’ll keep nearby that’s loaded with self-defense ammunition. Keep it secure from children by using a premium quick access gun safe. The location of this defensive firearm shouldn’t change and you should be able to locate quickly and in the dark. Practice moving through the house with your weapon so that you’re familiar with the hallways and doors you’ll encounter in the event of an intruder.
You should always consider your neighbors and friends when you make your home invasion plan. This is an element that is often overlooked because it seems like these people would never want to hurt you in any way. Many home invasions and robberies are done by people who are close to the family. They usually know your schedule, when you’re out of town on vacation, and maybe even where you keep your valuables. Be careful about who you talk to about your trips or recent purchases. Neighbors and friends you thought you trusted could be motivated by any number of factors that make them choose your property.
Make sure that no one enters your home without first identifying themselves and after you’ve had a look at them. Some intruders will knock desperately at your door in the middle of the night as a tactic for gaining entry. If you don’t know them, let them know you’ve called the police and they’re on their way to give them assistance. Never let an unidentified person into your house.
Other options to consider:
Consider theft deterrents like a barking dog alarm. A barking dog alarm can be electronically triggered to create loud barking sounds (or a real dog alarm) and is a great way to send would-be intruders packing before they even enter. The sounds of any dog, no matter the size, means that neighbors can be awakened and there is potential for injury waiting on the other side of the door
It can help to have one room in your home designated as a “safe room”. Keep a charged cell phone, a few supplies like water and snacks, and self-defense weapons in this room. Reinforce the solid door with a bolt lock so that you’re protected from anyone determined to get to you.
Set up a small video camera that can capture any intrusion. There are many different varieties of small cameras, “nanny cams” and other similar kinds. Most of them are reasonably priced and easy to use. They just might be the evidence you need to prove your need for self-defense or to catch an intruder that got away.
When an intruder is invading your home they could be motivated by desperation, drugs, or any number of other factors. They aren’t thinking clearly and only care about what is directly in front of them. Do your best to stay calm and follow the plan you have put in place. Some of the valuables in your home may be damaged or stolen, that is something to understand right away. Ultimately, your life and the lives of others are the most important thing and no intruder should ever be able to take them without a fight.
