Nobody wants to be a victim of a home invasion. The thought terrifies most individuals, as they know the people entering the home are there for nefarious purposes. What can a person do to keep the house safe from unwanted visitors? What should they do if they suspect there is an intruder in the home?
Verify the Presence
Quickly check to see if someone is present in the home who is not supposed to be there. Look at the security cameras or video doorbells to see if someone is lurking around the property when they shouldn’t be on-site. Take a deep breath and remain quiet when doing so. Determine whether something else could make unusual noises, such as a pet or plumbing sounds in the home. Listen for breaking glass, footsteps, doors opening and closing, or objects moving around.
Remain Calm
When a person is frightened, the adrenaline level in the body surges. The heart rate jumps, and they enter fight-or-flight mode. The best thing to do is take a few deep breaths and calm down. Panicking is of no help in this type of situation. Once you are calm, determine the next steps to take.
One thing a person should not do is grab a weapon unless they have undergone training in its use. Grabbing a knife or gun when you lack the proper training to use it can do more harm than good. If the intruder comes across you, they may be able to take the weapon and use it against you. Only those with training in high-intensity situations should use weapons for self-defense.
Look for an Escape Route
It’s best to avoid contact with them when it has been confirmed that an intruder is in the home. Look for an escape route. A window might be the best option, particularly if the family has invested in a fire escape ladder. Use the ladder to exit the home and get away from the intruder.
A family might also install a hidden door in the home, one with a safe room behind it. Once family members enter this room, the intruder cannot reach them. The goal is to avoid letting the intruder know you are aware of their presence and get out of their reach.
If it is not possible to exit the home and there is no hidden room, move to a room with a lock. Bedrooms and bathrooms are good choices, or the family might install locks on closet doors to be used as barricades in this scenario. In addition to locking the door, consider putting furnishings against the door to add an extra layer of protection. When doing so, try to remain as quiet as possible to avoid alerting the intruder.
Contact Law Enforcement
Once you have escaped the home or have found a way to barricade yourself from the intruder, contact the police. The best way to reach out is by dialing 911. Individuals with an iPhone may use the Emergency SOS option. Many areas now offer Text-to 911 services. When using these services, send a text message to 911 sharing your location and pertinent details. Don’t use emojis, GIFs, or pictures. Spell everything out so there is no confusion as to the situation.
Speak slowly and quietly and share all known details with the dispatcher. Tell them there is an intruder in the home and share the address. Give them your name and phone number so they can immediately send someone out to help. Please remain on the line with the dispatcher until they tell you to hang up. Often, they stay on the call until help arrives. If you are forced to change locations in the home, let the dispatcher know. Doing so makes it easier for law enforcement officers to distinguish between the homeowner, their family, and the intruder.
Let the dispatcher know if one intruder or multiple people have entered the home without permission. Tell the dispatcher who else is in the house, where they are, and where the intruder appears to be. If other details might help law enforcement officers when they arrive at the home, share them with the dispatcher. Officers need to know if there are pets in the house, whether there is a security code, and things of that nature when responding to a call of this type.
Remain Quiet
Remain as quiet as possible to avoid alerting the intruder to your presence. A person might think the intruder will flee if they know someone is in the home, but that’s not always the case. The best course of action is to remain quiet and wait for help to arrive. Speak quietly to the dispatcher and answer succinctly while staying out of view of the intruder.
Document Everything
If you see the intruder, note personal details and write them down once it is safe. The police can use this information to locate the intruder if they leave the home before help arrives. Try to determine their sex, height, weight, and what they are wearing.
If they leave the home, write down any details about the vehicle and where they are heading as they leave. The police can then use this information to locate the intruder before they enter another home without permission. In addition, write down anything they take so the list can be shared with the police and your insurance company.
Nobody likes to have their personal space violated. A break-in is traumatic, particularly when family members are home while the intruder is present. People who know what to do in this situation can remain calm and take the necessary steps to keep themselves safe.
The best practice is prevention, however. Walk around the home and learn where improvements can be made to its security. Furthermore, consider investing in a hidden door and other security items to protect you and your loved ones if someone enters the home uninvited. You can sleep at night knowing you have done everything possible to keep your loved ones from harm.
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Whether she is researching the latest trends in home decor, life-changing destination getaways, or the best way to maintain your finances, Dewey takes pride in leaving no stone unturned. She is passionate about distilling and delivering high-quality information that you can use to upgrade your life.
