Home invasions are NOT a common occurrence, but have become a concern to many residents. A home invasion is when someone enters your home and threatens or attacks you.
Some simple things you can do to prevent home invasions.
When you are at home:
- Do not confront intruders
- Do not open doors until you are satisfied that it is safe to do so
- Do not assume you know who's at the door
- Answer "I'll get it" even if you live alone or are the only one at home
- Always let people know you are home. Answer through a window.
- Teach children to never answer or open a door without an adult at the door with them
In and around your home:
- Do not use door chains. Use strong devices that allow you to open the door a couple of inches
- Women living alone should leave men's boots or other indications that a couple of people reside there
- Seniors should leave toys and other indications that a family resides there
- Reinforce door frames and all doors
- Put more than one deadbolt on doors
- For windows consider safety film or bars
- Don't trust screen doors, they don't keep intruders out
- Use a security alarm, personal panic alarm and intercom systems
- Place long pieces of wood right across back or basement doors
- Have a "safe room" in the house where you can go and lock the doors. Have a phone in this room and keep your Block Watch map nearby so you can phone trusted neighbours after you call 9-1-1
Outside your home:
- Keep house numbers easy to see, in the event of an emergency
- Program interior lights and leave more then one light on at night
- Leave front and back outside lights on every night of the year
- Trim shrubbery and other landscaping to eliminate any hiding places
In your neighbourhood:
- Plan with someone else that you will check with one another every day or night
- Have meetings with your Block Watch group to discuss how you can watch out for one another more effectively
- If you don't have a car, have a neighbour park his car in your driveway