Home invasions are a crime on the rise. But there are ways to prevent being a victim of this crime.
The primary way to stay safe is to keep doors and windows locked and secure and to never, ever
open your door to anyone you don’t know or that you aren’t absolutely sure has a reason to be there.
Criminals often dress up as police officers, delivery men and repair people. If you weren’t expecting them
don’t let them in. A legitimate repair, delivery or law enforcement person will wait while you call to verify their reason for being there.
In the unlikely event that an intruder breaks in while you’re home, you should have a safe room in your
house to which you can run to. That room should have a strong door, a deadbolt lock a cell phone and a can of
pepper spray of a fire extinguisher and if you own a gun, your gun and ammunition.
Not every criminal will try to break into the house. Many will simply wait for you to leave or enter your
home. This is why being aware of your surroundings is so critical. Criminals depend on the advantage of surprise.
Don’t give it to them. Be aware and alert.
Put a variety of lights on timers to go off after dark and even before day. Make sure your newspapers are
stopped, and ask the post office to hold your mail. Have a trusted friend or neighbor stop in several times while
you are away to make sure things are okay. Stress the importance of locking the door when they leave and while
they’re there as well.
If you must be out of town for extended length of time, leave your car in your driveway (if that is where it is
usually parked) and take a cab or get a ride to the airport so the house looks occupied.
When out at a bar with friends, don’t leave your drink unattended while you dance or go to the restroom.
Take it with you if you must. It’s too easy for someone to slip drugs into your drink. By the time you figure out
they have, it’s too late. Don’t accept drinks from strangers – no matter how cute. Unless they’re a trusted
friend, don’t let anyone else go to the bar to get you a drink. If a drink “tastes funny” stop drinking it. Either ask
the waitress to replace it or pour it out.
Never go home with someone the first time you meet them – even if they are a friend of a friend. Many of
the most notorious serial killers of all time have been described by victims who survived attacks as “the most
charming and nicest person they ever met.” And many of them were good friends with non-victims they knew!
In instances where victims did not know their assailant, one thing stands out – the intruder gained access to
the home through an open window, unlocked door or unsecured opening. In car jackings – the car jackers were
able to simply yank open the door and pull a driver out. So how safe is your home? Are your windows securely
locked? When was the last time you checked them? How easy would it be for a thief to enter? Are the locks
strong enough?
Look around your house now. How easy is it for an assailant to hide? Are there bushes and shrubbery close
to your entrances? Are there nooks and crannies, perhaps an enclosure where your trash cans are usually stored,
where an attacker can hide? Do you have a large tree, boulders or garden statues where someone could crouch
in the darkness and leap once you exit?
What is the lighting like around your home? Can you easily see into your yard, driveway and areas all
around your home? Do you have lights on and in your garage? Does your entry way have a well lit place where
you can easily see your keys and the locks? If not, it should.
The average intruder takes on seconds to breach an unlocked, unsecured home. Breaking glass or prying open a
door takes several minutes or longer – often arousing the suspicion of neighbors or alerting a resident to their
presence.
As always please leave comments. Stay Safe & Secure
Popularity: 1% [?]
Tags: aware alert, Crime, Home Invasion Are A Crime on the Rise
