Home security 101: what do you do if a burglar is in your house?
It is one of those random, peculiar nights when the power happens to go out. It is not raining; it is not snowing; it is not windy, yet for some reason you have no power. You have your cell phone handy to set an alarm for the morning - since you have to work - and you lock all of the doors to your house before going to bed. However, you cannot set your home alarm because the electricity is still off. No matter, you live in a safe neighborhood. What are the chances that a burglar will strike tonight?
Unfortunately, tonight is the night that a thief decided to rob your house and you awaken to the sound of glass breaking and your front door opening. So what do you do? Home security systems are designed to keep potential threats out, not stop them once they are inside.
Well, to be completely honest there are only a few things that can be done. Statistically speaking, around 70% of burglars gain entrance into the home through the front door. So, the best suggestion for anybody is to avoid the front door or anywhere around it. Police recommend gathering your loved ones - if you have a spouse or kids - and barricading yourself in a safe place, such as an upstairs bedroom. Put the mattress or chest of drawers in front of the door so that the thief cannot get inside.
Also, make sure to grab your cell phone and bring it with you in order to phone the authorities. In this specific scenario the power is out, so the phones would not have worked. But, as a general rule it is important to have a cell phone. Besides, if the burglars are advanced and good at their jobs, they could easily cut of the phone lines, eliminating any chance of contacting the police.
From there, after you have made the call to 911, a good idea is to proclaim in a loud voice that you have called the police and that they are in route. This action will notify the thief that his or her time is limited, and in most cases will have them flee from the scene immediately. Do not leave the room until the police have arrived.
Of course, this is not what people do in the movies. Normally, when this type of scene occurs, the protagonist usually will grab a bat and slowly creep downstairs to check out the noise, putting home security in their own hands. This, however, is not at all recommended. In fact, people who actively pursue an intruder within the home are 50% more likely to become injured, according to reports.
Additionally, people are very curious as to the protection and home security rights that they have if an intruder breaks into a home. For example, is a person legally allowed to hurt or kill a robber in order to protect their residence? In most states, people are only allowed to use physical force in order to protect themselves and not their property. Unless someone is defending their life, they are not allowed to kill a criminal within their home. In some states such as Colorado, however, certain laws exist that protect the rights of homeowners thwarting off potential threats. These laws are known as "make my day" laws - after the "Dirty Harry" films - and in some states it is legal to kill any person who enters a home uninvited.
Yet, regardless of the laws, the key goal of any home security system is to protect the family, protect your loved ones. So, as long as you know what to do if an intruder breaks into your home while you are inside, you will be able to ensure the safety of everyone that you care about.
Unfortunately, tonight is the night that a thief decided to rob your house and you awaken to the sound of glass breaking and your front door opening. So what do you do? Home security systems are designed to keep potential threats out, not stop them once they are inside.
Well, to be completely honest there are only a few things that can be done. Statistically speaking, around 70% of burglars gain entrance into the home through the front door. So, the best suggestion for anybody is to avoid the front door or anywhere around it. Police recommend gathering your loved ones - if you have a spouse or kids - and barricading yourself in a safe place, such as an upstairs bedroom. Put the mattress or chest of drawers in front of the door so that the thief cannot get inside.
Also, make sure to grab your cell phone and bring it with you in order to phone the authorities. In this specific scenario the power is out, so the phones would not have worked. But, as a general rule it is important to have a cell phone. Besides, if the burglars are advanced and good at their jobs, they could easily cut of the phone lines, eliminating any chance of contacting the police.
From there, after you have made the call to 911, a good idea is to proclaim in a loud voice that you have called the police and that they are in route. This action will notify the thief that his or her time is limited, and in most cases will have them flee from the scene immediately. Do not leave the room until the police have arrived.
Of course, this is not what people do in the movies. Normally, when this type of scene occurs, the protagonist usually will grab a bat and slowly creep downstairs to check out the noise, putting home security in their own hands. This, however, is not at all recommended. In fact, people who actively pursue an intruder within the home are 50% more likely to become injured, according to reports.
Additionally, people are very curious as to the protection and home security rights that they have if an intruder breaks into a home. For example, is a person legally allowed to hurt or kill a robber in order to protect their residence? In most states, people are only allowed to use physical force in order to protect themselves and not their property. Unless someone is defending their life, they are not allowed to kill a criminal within their home. In some states such as Colorado, however, certain laws exist that protect the rights of homeowners thwarting off potential threats. These laws are known as "make my day" laws - after the "Dirty Harry" films - and in some states it is legal to kill any person who enters a home uninvited.
Yet, regardless of the laws, the key goal of any home security system is to protect the family, protect your loved ones. So, as long as you know what to do if an intruder breaks into your home while you are inside, you will be able to ensure the safety of everyone that you care about.