How Would You Respond To A Home Invasion?

Home invasions have been in the news a lot lately and are becoming more and more common. In fact, a home invasion occurs every 13 seconds in the United States. That’s why it’s important to know how to prevent or survive a home invasion. Here are some tips:

The best way to prevent a home invasion is to be proactive. There are several things you can do to make your home less inviting to criminals.

Locks

Invest in good-quality locks for all of your doors and windows. Deadbolts are especially effective. There are different types of deadbolts - some include a turn knob and the others require a key.

Deadbolts with knobs are designed to get out of the house quickly, without trying to find a key, in an emergency. However, if an intruder can break a window and unlock the deadbolt, it's not very effective. Choose your deadbolt accordingly and if you decide on the version that needs a key, be sure to keep the key close by. It's a good habit to keep your doors and windows locked at all times, even when you’re home. You might feel safe in your neighborhood, but it only takes one criminal to break into your home. Be sure to check your local laws on emergency egress requirements for lock types.

Security System

You should also have a security system installed and make sure it’s always turned on. It may seem strange to have your security system on when home, but a break-in will trip the alarm and notify the alarm company. If you're in distress and unable to disarm the alarm or get to a phone, the alarm company will automatically dispatch the authorities to your location.

Bonus tip: Most alarm companies are happy to provide free signs to display on your property. Potential intruders will often pass by a home they think has an alarm system.

Keep Travel Plans Private

Don’t advertise when you’ll be away from home on social media or in any other way. Everyone gets excited about going on a trip, but it would be wise to keep that information to yourself until you return. Then feel free to post as many pictures as you want. If potential criminals know you’re not home, they’ll be more likely to target your house.

Get To Know Your Neighbors

If you haven't done so already, it's good to get to know your neighbors and exchange numbers to watch out for each other’s homes. If you have a good relationship with your neighbors, they’ll be more likely to keep an eye out for suspicious activity around your house. If you do go out of town, let them know so they can call the police if an unwanted vehicle suddenly shows up in your driveway.

Conceal Your Valuables

Keep your valuables out of sight. If potential criminals can see that you have expensive items in your home, they may be tempted to break in. You may not think much about the windows to your living room or office, but if it's easy to see your expensive laptop and 70-inch flat-screen TV, you may want to close the blinds.

Strategic Landscaping

Trim back any bushes or trees near your doors and windows so that there are no hiding places for criminals. If your area supports them, growing holly bushes near your windows can be an organic security system. Holly bushes are attractive, easy to maintain and the best part is their sharp pointy leaves that make it undesirable for intruders.

Keep Things Well-Lit

If you don't have it already, install outdoor lighting around your home so that it’s well-lit at night. Lights that automatically brighten when detecting motion can be very effective. Whenever possible, have a light near any access point to your home. This will deter criminals from trying to break in because they don’t want to be seen.

Get A Dog

Consider getting a dog. Not only is a dog a great companion, but they hear things we don't. A dog's natural instinct is to protect its turf and family, so it'll bark and attack if need be. And don't be shy about advertising the fact that you have a dog. A barking dog is one of the best deterrents for intruders.

Bonus tip: Consider displaying a "Beware of Dog" sign in your yard or where it can be seen from the street.

Be Aware

Stay aware of what’s going on in your neighborhood and report any suspicious activity to the police immediately. If your neighborhood maintains an active Facebook or NextDoor page, follow it and check-in periodically.

Competence And Confidence

Take self-defense classes so that you know how to defend yourself if someone does break into your home. You don't need to be a black belt in Karate, but knowing a few key moves can make all the difference.

If you choose to have a gun at home, be sure to be trained on how to use it. The gun needs to be quickly accessible during a break-in. There are several good options for home defense safes on the market that are secure while allowing quick access.

Whatever option you choose to protect yourself during a break-in, keep in mind that you will likely need to act fast during this highly stressful situation. You will need to be ready to act at a moment's notice.

Home invasions are becoming more common every day. No one wants to be the victim of a crime, but unfortunately, it can happen to anyone at any time. The best way to prevent a home invasion is by being proactive and taking steps to make your home less inviting to criminals (such as investing in good quality locks and keeping valuables out of sight).

However, even if you do everything right, there’s still a chance that you could find yourself in the middle of a home invasion. If that happens, try to stay calm and call the police immediately – and be prepared to defend yourself.

Are you looking for a security company that takes your safety seriously?

Fortified Risk Group is the perfect choice for businesses and families who want to reduce their risk and not only feel safe, but be safe. Fortified Risk Group was founded by former Navy SEALs with over 35 years of experience in international, domestic, public, and private security services. We have a systematic process that will evaluate your unique needs and create a plan tailored just for you. Plus, we have lasting relationships with our clients that foster an atmosphere of shared goals.

You can trust us to keep you safe – we're the most qualified team in the business. We take pride in our work and are always up for a challenge. We want to help you be safe every day, so you can focus on what's important to you.

info@fortifiedrisk.com