| First of all, remember that things in real life are not | | | | as soon as possible and not confront them. |
| like the movies. If you've ever seen a movie involving | | | | 4. If you have a self defense weapon in the house, |
| home invasions, making bombs out of lard and baking | | | | such as pepper spray or a gun, know how to use it. |
| powder isn't something you'll have time or know how | | | | More often than not, home owners have been |
| to do. Invaders won't come in with machine guns or | | | | injured or killed with their own weapons. Most home |
| grenades but they will be intimidating to you and your | | | | invaders will come armed. Any self defense weapons |
| family. | | | | for you to use work best when they are within |
| 1. Have a home invasion plan. We all have a fire | | | | reach. |
| escape plan for our families. A home invasion plan is | | | | Don't try to make it from the living room to the |
| similar to that. Have a way of escape for each room | | | | bedroom to get your gun if you can easily escape |
| in the house in case someone breaks in. Use a code | | | | through a window or door. Keep self defense |
| word that anyone can shout to trigger your mass | | | | weapons such as bats, pepper spray, etcetera in |
| exodus from the house. Practice it with everyone | | | | concealed places where any family member can find |
| there and when there are only a few of you in the | | | | them if the opportunity arises for them to use it. |
| home. | | | | Practice with them (not on each other) so you know |
| 2. Try not to panic. In these situations, the adrenaline | | | | how to defend yourself with them if you need to. |
| starts pumping through your system triggering the | | | | 5. Use your security system. Most people have one |
| fight-or-flight response. Remaining calm is easier said | | | | because it lowers their home insurance premiums but |
| than done, but keep your mind thinking at all times. | | | | it is more effective as a deterrent. Arm your system |
| Practicing your home invasion plan will help with | | | | when you are home as well as when you are not. |
| staying calm. If you are not in the direct line of the | | | | Utilize motion sensors on floodlights and timers on |
| invaders, escape from the house if you can or find a | | | | lights when you are away from home. Be sure that |
| secure location to call the police. | | | | you choose an alarm company with 24-hour |
| 3. Your family is more important than property. This | | | | monitoring and you test the system periodically to |
| goes without saying, but some people will try to | | | | make sure it works properly. |
| make a stand on principle or to save their families. | | | | Home invasions are very real. Hopefully you will never |
| Know this, home invaders are there to take what | | | | become a victim, but knowing how to handle one can |
| you have and harm you if necessary. Some will harm | | | | save your life. Also, always have a weapon handy, |
| you anyway. You can never know for sure what | | | | such as pepper spray, stun gun, or a baseball bat is |
| such a criminal will do. Make every effort to get out | | | | better than nothing. |