PROTECT YOURSELF FROM HOME INVASION

Home Invasions, when criminals force their way into an occupied home, apartment or hotel room to commit a robbery or other crimes, are increasing at an alarming rate.  This is one of the most frightening and potentially dangerous crimes that can occur to a family because it violates our private space, the place that we think of as our sanctuary.

Thieves are getting bolder and more violent.  Their attacks are planned in the belief that their intended victims will be caught unaware and surprised.  Since an invader knows you are not expecting what he has planned for you, surprise is his best weapon.  Police departments are constantly telling people NOT TO open the door to an unannounced delivery or supposed repairman.  Yet it seems this caution is largely ignored.  Here are some of the tricks invaders like to use to fool you into letting them in:

  • GAS LEAK INSPECTION:  A person dressed in a hard hat and possibly a forged ID tag will come to your door and say he has been called because of a gas leak in the neighborhood.  Do not let him in your house.  In reality, gas companies don’t check for gas leaks in your home unless you’ve called them.  Their duties only are to inspect and repair the gas lines in the ground throughout your area, not in your home.  Stop and think about it.  If there were a gas leak in your home, you would smell it.  Gas companies put special ingredients into the gas so to make sure you will smell any gas leak.
  • FLOWER or SMALL PACKAGE DELIVERY: Flowers and gifts are hard to resist.  If someone tries to deliver flowers or a small package do not let them in.  They do not have to come into your house to deliver a small package.  You will know about any large package to be delivered and brought into your home since large deliveries are always planned. If the person is insistent for you to open your door, especially if there is no special occasion such as a birthday or anniversary, etc. this should give you cause for concern.  Call the police immediately.
  • ELECTRIC COMPANY REPAIRMAN: There in no reason for an electric company repairman to ask to come into your home.  Their responsibility is only to work on the power lines outside of your home.  If you had a problem in your home and you have called a licensed electrician, you should know the electrician you called and ask for his identification when he arrives.  If there is a question as to who he really is do not call the phone number he gives you.  Look up the company’s number in the phone book to confirm his identity.  All electricians have to be licensed and carry the proper identification with them.
  • ALARM REPAIRMAN: Most people who have an alarm system have a sign posted in front of their home.  This is a warning to a would-be criminal that you are protected by a security system.  An invader might see this sign and pose as an alarm repairman here to do preventive maintenance on your system or to check its operation.  Do not believe this claim.  These calls are usually planned ahead of time and every alarm repairman is required to be licensed by his state.  They ALL have to carry a picture ID and have passed a security check by his company and state licensing commission.   Do not confirm his identity by using the number he gives you.
  • Have all emergency numbers posted somewhere in your home with easy access.  Have your doctor, alarm company, spouse’s work numbers, cell phones, gas, water and electric companies’ numbers VISIBLY listed.

Home Invasion Methods

Home invasion robbers often work at night and on weekends when homes are more likely to be occupied.  The home invader will sometimes target the resident as well as the dwelling.  The selection process may include a woman living alone, a wealthy senior citizen or a handicapped person, for example.  It is not unheard of for a robber to follow you home based on the value of the car you are driving or the jewelry you are wearing.  Some home invaders might have been in your home before as a delivery person, installer or repair vendor. Home robbers rarely work alone and rely on an overwhelming physical confrontation to gain initial control and instill fear in you.  The greatest violence usually occurs during the initial sixty seconds of the confrontation and home invaders often come prepared with handcuffs, rope, duct tape, and firearms.  Some in-home robbers appear to enjoy the intimidation, domination, and violence they cause—they thrive on the power they exert over their victims.

Home invaders know that they won’t have to overcome alarm systems when the home is occupied or be worried about video cameras and silent alarms.  Unlike when they rob a retail store, home invaders expect privacy once inside your home and won’t have to deal with the police suddenly driving up or customers walking in.  Once the offenders take control of a residence they can force the occupants to open safes, locate hidden valuables, supply keys to the family car, and PIN numbers to their ATM cards.  Home invaders will try to increase their escape time by disabling the phones and sometimes will leave their victims bound or incapacitated.  It is not unheard of for robbers to load up the victim’s car with valuables and drive away without anyone in the neighborhood taking notice.

Prevention Steps

If you can delay a home invader at the point of entry then you have a chance of deterring them or have time to call the police.  A solid core door, strong locks with reinforced strike plates, and reinforced window devices will stop most forced entries.  Some homeowners build safe rooms inside their home to allow them to retreat or escape violence while giving them valuable time to call the police.

The weakest home security link is the home occupant who fails to lock doors or windows or who will open the door without question at the sound of a knock.  The best defense against home invasion is education and planning.  Parents should hold a family meeting to discuss how to answer the door when someone knocks.  Another important topic is how to act should your home or family be invaded.  Once you know how home robbers work, you can effectively prevent most occurrences.

Remember these important security steps:

  • Never open the door to strangers or solicitors
  • Install solid core doors, heavy duty locks, and window security devices
  • Lock all doors, windows, and garages at all times
  • Use four three-inch screws to secure heavy duty lock strike plates in the door frame
  • Use the door peephole BEFORE opening the door
  • Use your porch light to help you to see clearly outside
  • Never rely on a chain-latch as a barrier to partially open the door
  • Call the police if the stranger acts suspicious
  • Alert your neighbors to suspicious solicitors
  • Hold a family meeting to discuss home security plans
  • Set the home perimeter alarm at night, if you have one

Your own alertness and vigilant behavior are your best safeguards against damage

For more information on other ways to protect your home such as getting a Free Home Alarm System , check out NightWatch today!