Could You Become a Victim of Home Invasion?

With crime on the rise across the United Sates, we all worry about becoming a victim of violent crime. We go to great length to make sure we are not mugged, assaulted or raped. And with the personal safety devices available today, we have become pretty effective at protecting ourselves. But there is one horrible, violent crime we seldom think about – Home Invasion. Home invasion happens to other people, in other cities - people who are incredibly rich and powerful. And that description doesn’t fit us.

Well think again. Home invasion as a crime is rising faster that any other crime in America. People who commit home invasions have more than robbery as a motive – they get off on terrorizing the family, forcing them to do unthinkable things to protect their loved ones. They are warped individuals who get a thrill from the terror they instill – and they seek even greater gratification, instilling greater terror, as time goes on. They are people you do NOT want in your life!

So, how can you ensure you will not become a victim of home invasion? What can you do to protect you and your family? The single most important action you can take is to not let a home invader into your home in the first place. Sound silly doesn’t it? But that’s exactly what people do - all across the country, every day of the week. They let these people into their home, knowingly and willingly. How can that be? Because most people are good and honest - and believe everyone else is as well.

Home invaders appear on your doorstep as people in trouble – they have a flat tire, they’ve lost their dog, they themselves are lost. Home invaders appear on your doorstep as delivery people – they have a package or special delivery letter and are wearing the appropriate uniform. Home invaders appear on your doorstep as service people – you have a gas leak, a water leak, need termite inspection or water softener maintenance. All of these people are wearing the right clothes for the job. They sound plausible. They may even have a badge or license identifying them as who they say they are. But they’re home invaders in disguise.

So how do you avoid opening the door to home invaders? How do you know who is real and who is not? Use the following as guidelines for opening your door to a stranger:

1. If they have a problem, offer to make a phone call for them. Do NOT allow them into your home to use the phone. This may sound cold and cruel – but it ensures your safety. And, while you’re making that phone call, most home invaders will disappear into the night.

2. If you’re not expecting a delivery that must be signed for, ask the person to leave a phone number where you can verify the delivery. Tell them to return tomorrow with the delivery. And in the meantime, call the number you’ve been given to verify delivery.

3. If someone arrives at you door telling you there is a problem, ask to see their identification, write the badge number down and call the service they represent. Stolen or bogus identification will not be in the database of the water department, gas department, or termite service provider. And while you’re checking the badge number, most home invaders remove themselves from the premises, never to be seen again.

4. Make sure your front door is solid metal with a peephole. Replace all doors that have decorative glass panels with a solid door – a home invader will come through the glass panel while you’re making your phone call. Use the peephole for identifying persons who arrive on your doorstep – never open the door, even if it has a chain, to see who is there!

5. Make sure all outside doors, windows and frames are of the highest quality, in good repair and are fitted with deadbolts. They should also be connected to and protected by your home alarms systems. This will prevent a home invader from completing a “smash” entry into your home just because it looks weakly secured.

6. Educate everyone in the family - even your 3 year-old - on home invasion determent. Tell them to NEVER open the door to anyone. A family member will have a key – everyone else should be kept outside. And if the man at the door says someone is hurt – call 911 immediately. Tell the operator the situation and request police assistance.

Good habits can protect you and your family. When not at home, keep all doors and windows locked and dead bolted. Keep your garage door down and locked at all times. Install bright outside lighting. Remove overgrown bushes and shrubs. Protect your perimeter with a home security surveillance system. And arm your system at all times.

These habits, coupled with the steps to prevent admission to your home, will go a long, long way in preventing the brutal crime of home invasion. Keeping your family safe is of paramount importance – make sure you develop a plan that does just that.