You jolt awake at night to the sound of your back door being kicked in. Your burglar alarm sounds, but the intruder doesn’t leave. You hear them searching from room to room — for what, you’re unsure.
Your heart is pounding. Cold sweat is beading on your forehead. You try to make as little noise as possible, but you’re taking rasping, panicked breaths.
What do you do?
Hopefully, this situation never happens to you, but the unfortunate truth is that home invasions occur with startling frequency. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, U.S. households experienced roughly 1 million burglaries each year in which a household member was present during the crime, meaning an intruder entered while someone was still inside.1
Home invasions rank among the most frightening crimes a person can experience, and they can turn deadly in an instant. Following a few key protocols can go a long way toward keeping you safe and reducing your risk.
How to Stay Safe During a Home Invasion
While this nightmare scenario is a tough one to consider, there are a few key principles to keep in mind if your home is being invaded.
Keep Quiet and Stay Where You Are
Nine times out of 10, a burglar broke in thinking you weren’t home. Stay as quiet as you can and, if possible, lock the door to the room you’re in. At first, you don’t want to do anything to attract attention to yourself.2 Listen to try and determine why the intruder is there. Does it sound like they are rifling through drawers for jewelry, or are they calling out your name? Regardless, you need help — and you need it fast.
Alert the Police
If your alarm system has the capacity to automatically and quietly alert the authorities, activate that functionality. If you don’t have this capability, know if your police force’s dispatch offers text-to-911.3 This will get help on the way without alerting the intruder to your presence. If neither of these options are available, call 911, and speak clearly but quietly. Be sure to provide the operator with all of the information they’re looking for, including your address, details about your home, and information on its occupants. If they ask if the perpetrator has a weapon, just say “yes.”
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Now that the authorities are on their way, it’s time to think through your next move.
Determine if Escape is Necessary
Once you’ve contacted the authorities, take stock of your situation. Is the intruder after valuables, or does something else seem to be motivating them? Can they easily find you, or is there a place to hide? Are you behind a solid, locked door, or could it be kicked in without much effort? Try to gauge how many intruders there are and whether they’re communicating with each other. It won’t be easy to think clearly in the moment, but staying calm and level-headed will help you decide on the best course of action.
If you sense you’re in immediate danger — for example, if the intruder is calling out for you, appears violent, or your position isn’t secure — start thinking about your escape options. Is there a back door you could slip out of? Could you get out through a window? Do your best to weigh the risks. If your current location isn’t safe or won’t be for long, focus on finding the safest way out of the home without crossing paths with the intruder.
Pro Tip: When it comes to preventing burglaries and home invasions, deterrence is your best friend. Consider looking over our guide to the best home security cameras on the market today — these pieces of equipment are one of the best deterrents out there.
Every home is different, and every situation is unique, but these principles can be used as guidelines in the event the unthinkable happens. Just as important, though, are these tips on what not to do during a home invasion.
What Not to Do During a Home Invasion
In a home invasion, your absolute best option is to alert the authorities and get out unnoticed. With that in mind, here is what to avoid:
Do Not Confront the Intruder
Real life is nothing like the movies. Unless you are a trained martial artist, you will likely lose in a fight with a person who is out breaking into homes.4 Unless you have trained extensively with a firearm, you are more likely to be disarmed and killed with your own weapon than you are taking the intruder down.5 If you are trained, and deadly force is necessary, then you must do whatever it takes to save your life or the lives of your loved ones. But otherwise, you are not an action hero, and you are unlikely to save the day if your home is being invaded.
Pro Tip: You might also want to consider adding a panic button to your security system. Ring makes a great one, if you’re interested.
On that note, if the intruder is spooked and starts running — do not pursue them. Take as much detail down as you can, and provide that information to the authorities when they arrive.
Do Not Save Possessions
Possessions can be replaced; your life can’t. Every second counts during a home invasion. Spend that time calling the police and determining your escape route, rather than trying to gather valuables. That’s what your homeowners’ insurance is for, anyway.
Do Not Make Noise
Some people believe that shouting “I’m calling the police” or “I have a gun” will be enough to scare an intruder off — and for some, it might work. But not every intruder operates the same way. Some aren’t there for your valuables, and others may be too intoxicated to think rationally. It’s worth asking yourself: do you really want to bet your safety on what kind of person has broken into your home?
Final Thoughts on Surviving Home Invasions
When it comes to home invasions, you don’t want to be caught off guard. The best thing you can do for yourself is to come up with a plan — right now — of what you would do if someone broke into your home. Know where their entry points are and where you would likely be. Plan out your escape route, and know how and when you’d access it. Think through multiple different scenarios, and come up with a plan for each one.
This isn’t to scare you; rather, it’s to ensure you’re as prepared as possible should a home invasion occur. Hopefully, the day will never come when you need to put your plan into action, but if it does, you’ll be relieved you had a solid plan in place.