Improving home security will discourage break-ins.
But what happens when you are in the house with a break-in in progress?
You see these things in movies, and they seem far away and highly unlikely to happen to you. Undoubtedly, break-ins are terrifying because you can’t possibly tell what will happen next. There are lots of questions then with no immediate answers.
Are they here to rob or cause harm?
Whether the intention is to steal or course harm, you cannot read the mind of a burglar. You should, therefore, strictly follow the following steps to be safe in case of a break-in.
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Call for Help
As soon as you discover an intruder is inside your home, grab the nearest phone and call for help.
Always start by calling the police, and as much as you may be agitated, try your best to explain what’s happening quickly. Describe where you believe the intruder is located in the house and the possibility of a weapon.
Always keep the line on so the operator can listen in. This trick will help you when the burglars have already reached you and you can’t speak.
After calling 911, you can stay calm and find a place to hide. It’d be best to lock yourself inside one of your rooms.
What you shouldn’t do is try to be a hero and confront the intruder. It’s a terrible idea as you can never truly know how many there are and how armed.
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Get Out of There
You see, lions are the bravest animals, but even they take off when the situation isn’t favorable.
You’ve already notified the police of the situation in your home. The next best thing is to get out of there if you can do it safely.
Remember, a break-in can go bad fast, and you or your loved ones could get harmed. Take every second as valuable and devise a plan to get everyone out of harm’s way if there are multiple exit points.
The thing with escaping is, you have to ensure you can absolutely pull it off. If it means possibly crossing paths with the intruders, then don’t attempt to escape.
Always weigh your options and only get away if there is considerable distance between the intruders and your family members.
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Defend Yourself as a Last Resort
If you can’t escape, your first instinct will be to defend yourself with what you have. You might go for the paper spray, baseball bat, or even a firearm.
Weapons are a good idea in close combat, but they should be your last resort.
If you’re not sure how armed the intruder is, stay out of their way, even with your weapon ready. Attacking them could go a lot different than you may imagine due to various factors like them having a better weapon, being stronger, having help, seeing you first, etc.
It’s not advisable to use a weapon you’re not well versed in using during such situations.
Handling a weapon during a break-in also increases the risk of the police mistaking you for the intruder.
We know it is tough to resist defending your family against the intruder. However, you need to take time and think clearly before deciding whether to arm yourself or not.
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Cooperate in Case of an Encounter
Chances are that you will run into the intruder, especially trying to get away or because you don’t know their location in the house.
Rule number one is not to do anything rash. Making rash movements or approaching the intruder can be seen as an attack and may result in a severe reaction.
We suggest you stay calm and show them that you’re willing to comply with their demands, especially if they are armed and threatening you.
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Secure Your Home
Break-ins are a wake-up call, whether they happen to you or someone you know. You should use it as a motivation to secure your home from possible future incidents.
Things like motion sensors and alarms can go a long way. If your neighborhood is primarily targeted, unarmed or armed security guard services could be a lasting solution.
In Summary
These steps can help you stay safe if a break-in finds you in the house.
Everyone’s safety plan looks different. Try planning for these unfortunate incidents and develop safety measures. That could mean creating an easy escape plan, a secure hideout, a distraction, etc.
