Home invasions have become a more brazen form of the house break-in that places occupants of those homes in grave danger. With U.S. statistics showing one in every five homes experiencing a break-in or home invasion, it seems to say some home security systems are becoming too easy to breach. When that happens, home owners face the possibility of being tied up and perhaps even tortured while the invaders ransack their home.
While those circumstances may involve the horror of a power trip or searching for drug money, it’s starting to tell us we need better preparation than just a burglar alarm. If a home invasion occurs, using your brain will have to play a stronger part in how you survive such an attack.
What kind of smart tactics should you use if you inadvertently left your door unlocked or your security system failed? You may still be able to use your security system to your advantage if you’ve upgraded to something better.
Using a Safe Room
While not everyone will be able to afford to build a safe room, you may be able to create one by installing a heavier door on an existing house space. This could work in a basement or a separate storage room you aren’t using. The key is that you should make a run for it the minute you suspect a home invasion is underway. If you think you can easily run to a safe room, then head there and get your family in there with you.
It’s here where you should have a command center with access to phones and perhaps weapons if you believe in owning guns. However, a home invader might cut your phone lines if they’ve planned everything down to the nth degree.
Using Wireless Security Systems
Wireless technology is integrated into nearly everything now, including the emergence in security systems. Many of these systems don’t cost a fortune and include hi-def cameras that don’t require wires or cable. The point is that you can use your smartphone to view your security cameras, including synching with the central device to alert police.
That’s why owning a wireless security system may be somewhat of a new deterrent to home invasions. If you can escape to a safe room, you can look on your security cameras to see if the invaders are still in your home. You can also keep in contact with law enforcement if your main phone lines were cut.
Coming Up with Family Code Words to Take Action
In preparation for home invasions, coming up with code words to communicate certain actions is one of the smartest tactics to use. Having code words at the ready can help you and your family spring into action without letting the invaders aware of what you’re about to do. Assuming you’re able to talk while your house is being ransacked, you can all work together in a moment when it’s clear a nearby invader has their guard down.
While it’s not always recommended to tackle one or more of the invaders, the code words can help make this happen when everyone sees a clear opportunity. Especially if you have a large family, you might be able to tackle or knock out one or two people. If there’s a larger group of invaders, running to a safe room or outside is obviously much safer.
For those with close neighbors nearby, using code words to run out the door at first opportunity can help get you and your family to a place for help. Regardless, safe rooms are usually considered a smarter option due to the risk of not knowing if cohorts of the invaders are waiting outside.
All of these tactics may have to be considered as strongly today as businesses do with business continuity for disasters. Even if some crime statistics have improved, other crimes like home invasions may keep growing in their brazen intensity.
References:
http://military-fitness.military.com/2011/01/5-tactical-tips-to-survive-a-home-invasion.html
http://www.globalsecurityexperts.com/home-security/crime-prevention-advice/home-invasion-stats.html
