Most burglars break into homes looking for easy-to-take and expensive items, such as electronics and jewelry. Usually, they have no intention of hurting you or your family, although some may. Thieves usually look for empty houses, but sometimes they enter when someone is still home because they are thought to be away, or the stolen property is very valuable. If you hear a cracking sound in the middle of the night, don't waste time figuring out his intentions and take action. If you're worried about burglars breaking into your home, you can make your home safer, learn the best ways to hide, or confront them if needed.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Adding Home Security
Step 1. Prepare a plan
Plans are especially important if there is more than one person in the same room, especially children. Determine a safe room, such as a room that is easy to lock and barricade, in case a burglar breaks into the house. You can choose your bedroom or your child's (if you have one). Then, specify a backup safe space, in case the main option is blocked by intruders.
- Make sure there is a phone in a safe and easily accessible room. This phone can be a landline or a fully charged cell phone.
- Define an escape route in case all safe spaces are inaccessible. If your safe room is on the second floor, you can escape via the fire escape near the window.
Step 2. Practice the plan
Even a well-thought-out plan will fail if it is not trained beforehand. You can set a password, which, when shouted at, will alert the householder that the house has been burglarized. Use this word when practicing your plan, and your reaction will be quicker to this password.
Step 3. Increase home security
There are several things you can do to improve home security. Some methods require you to spend money, while others simply apply good habits.
- Lock doors and windows. Even when you are at home, install all the locks in the house to ward off burglars.
- Get in touch with neighbors. They can keep an eye on your home while you're away, and will be alert to call the police in case someone breaks in.
- Keep the outside of the house well lit. This is important, especially at the entry point of your home. A motion-activated floodlight will startle intruders and may shoo them away when they try to enter the house.
- Keep the curtains closed. Close the curtains or curtains so that valuables in the house are not visible from the outside and make it difficult for outsiders to know if anyone is in the house or not.
- Keep the lights on, even when you're out of the house. Thus, the house looks like it has occupants and is not vulnerable.
Step 4. Use your energy to get ready instead of worrying
You have to distinguish between being prepared and living in fear. While following the steps above, make it a habit and your normal daily life. This will go a long way in preparing yourself in the event of a burglary so that you don't just cower in a corner.
If you continue to feel uneasy and frightened by a potential thief, it's best to use the services of a professional to deal with it
Method 2 of 3: Hiding and House Breakers
Step 1. Listen carefully
Hearing a strange sound is usually an early clue to the presence of a burglar. You can also guess the location of the intruder from your position. Just by listening, you can find out a lot about the current situation. So, open both ears wide and listen carefully to what the burglar is doing.
- Do you hear footsteps or other sounds approaching you?
- Does it seem like the burglar is talking to someone else?
- Did you hear anything being picked up or packed?
Step 2. Try to stay where you are and lock the door
After locking the door, try to hide as best you can. Use large pieces of furniture to barricade the door so that intruders can't easily enter the room. Don't open the lock until you're sure the house is safe and the burglar is gone.
- If there's a closet in the room you're hiding in, hide there too. Lock if possible.
- If you can't find a good hiding place or lock the door, sneak into a safer room.
Step 3. Try not to make a sound
Don't peek. Do not, under any circumstances, shout at a burglar. You will only leak your position and make the thief find you faster. Breathe as quietly as possible. If there are other people in the room with you, don't discuss plans or argue with each other.
Step 4. Call 911
Use a landline if it's in the room you're in, or use a cell phone to call emergency services. Make sure you know your home address to tell the operator so the police can come to your house and deal with the situation.
- The phone should always be fully charged and near you so that it can be quickly retrieved when hiding.
- Be prepared to provide a concise, concise description of your situation.
- All the questions asked determine how much help is needed so you need to describe the situation as accurately and as urgently as possible.
Step 5. Wait for emergency services to arrive
Don't leave your hiding place until the police arrive. Do not go out until the area is confirmed to be safe. If the police haven't been able to catch the burglar, make sure you tell him any good hiding places in the house. Thus, they could examine more closely.
Beware of burglars pretending to be cops. If you can't see the badge properly (for example, because you're still hiding), call 911 again to make sure the cop is real
Method 3 of 3: Dealing with Breakers
Step 1. Try to avoid confrontation
Burglars usually look for empty houses to rob. Most thieves just want to steal to make money and have nothing to do with the householder. Your priority should be protecting yourself and others in your home, and not your valuables. However, if the burglar threatens your safety, or is trying to get you somewhere, you'd better fight back.
If the burglar only wants your treasure, and asks you to open the safe, just comply. No treasure is worth your life
Step 2. Arm yourself
Unless you practice self-defense and/or self-defense techniques, facing a thief with your bare hands is extremely dangerous. Besides you are not trained, but thieves can also carry weapons. Anything that can be used as a weapon or thrown, take it because it is better than empty-handed.
- There are many household items that can be used as weapons, such as sports equipment, keys or glass bottles. Baseball sticks or glass bottles can be swung like bats, while keys can be thrust into opponents.
- Try to keep weapons near your bed. If you're worried about burglars at night, keep a baseball bat or knife near your bed.
- Pepper spray, although powerful enough to ward off attackers, is not necessarily legal to use. If it's legal, you should get it and learn how to use it properly.
Step 3. Target the thief's vital parts
Your goal is to knock out your opponent so you can escape, instead of winning the fight. Don't be afraid to use dirty means: you're risking your life!
- Attack the legs to immobilize the movement. The knee is a weak joint and can be crushed with just the right kick or blow.
- Attack the eyes, groin, and throat to immobilize the opponent. These parts are very sensitive and one good hit is enough to slow down your opponent.
Step 4. Escape
Don't stay near a burglar longer than necessary. If you can create an escape opportunity, take it! Make as much noise as possible and call emergency services.
Tips
- If you can spot a house burglar, try to remember as many of the characteristics as possible. If he manages to escape, you can give it to the police so they can catch him more easily.
- Keep a big dog. If you're worried about breaking into your home or living in a bad neighborhood, try getting a large dog. While they don't usually attack burglars, a dog's bark or growl is usually enough to dissuade a bad person. Plus, you'll feel more secure and less vulnerable.
- If you feel you must have a firearm to defend yourself, make sure that your gun is always loaded and within reach. MAKE SURE that children can't reach your gun (in this case, it's best not to load the gun). Take shooting lessons to learn how to reload, shoot and handle weapons properly.
- If you're really worried about the arrival of a burglar, it's best to learn self-defense. This way, you will be better prepared to fight off break-ins and be confident in the face of a crisis.
- If you call emergency services using your cell phone, keep it on vibrate mode. Don't let your cell phone ring tones when you get a call back; this will leak your position to the intruder.
- Keep a phone in every room in the house. That way, you can always call 911 when you're at home. Remember, cell phone operators don't have to be active to be able to call 911.
- Prepare some kind of weapon in every room in case someone breaks into the house.
- Make sure you barricade the door with a heavy object such as a sofa, table, or cupboard.
Warning
- Learn the self-defense laws in your area. Some regions allow the use of extreme means, while others have certain restrictions.
- Call the police if you have been robbed to prevent it from happening again, and help catch the robber.
