Tips to be safe when there is a house break in

A house break-in and burglary while you are away from home is a traumatic experience. However, a break-in while you are home is a nightmare situation. If you live alone or if you are a woman, the experience can be even more terrifying. Although most burglars are only interested in stealing and making away with your valuables without harming the occupants of the house, there are instances when a burglary can go wrong resulting in physical assault. In either situation, the thought of waking up in the middle of a burglary or house break in is the last thing anyone would like to face.

Here are 5 steps to follow in the event you find yourself at home during an active break-in.

The First 30-seconds are Crucial

If you wake up to a noise and find an intruder in your home, the very first instinct is to yell or shout. DON’T. The best thing you can do during a house break in is to not to make a sound. You don’t know the intention of the intruder and altering him could reveal your location and lead to physical violence. Do this instead.

• Don’t make a sound.
• Quietly lock your door.
• If possible listen closely and guess how many intruders there are and if you can pick on any conversation or noise for indication that they are armed.
• If you can gather all the members of your family quietly, do so and barricade the door.

 Make the 911 Call Immediately

Grab your phone and call 911. Be calm and clear when speaking to the operator stating your name and address. If you picked up any bits of conversation or information about number of intruders or if they are armed, pass it on to the operator. Stay on line with operator so they can hear everything and are aware of any moves you make. In case there is any danger, the operator might be able to pass on important advice on how to act.

Escape If Possible

If there is a chance that you can get out of the house without being seen, without coming face to face with the intruder or ending in a situation where you can get hurt (jumping from a high window or while climbing down drain pipe), take the chance. Make sure you alert the 911 operator of your plan and inform them of your position. Be sure to carry your phone and your car keys as you make your escape.

If you are certain there is a single intruder, and you are carrying your car keys, you could press the panic button. This will alert the neighbors of a house break in and most intruders or burglars will quickly flee rather than risk a neighbor coming in to check or calling 911. However, do this only if you and every member of your family is safe in a location that will not be easy for the burglar or intruder to access.

Alternatively, if your alarm system has a panic button on a keychain remote and you have the keychain remote, you should be able to set off the siren in your alarm system. You can do this even if you haven’t set the alarm

Hide if you cannot Escape

If escape is not possible, then the best thing to do is to hide in a safe location such as a locked room or a closet. Quickly and quietly barricade the entry points using heavy furniture or objects. Keep the 911 operator informed of you move and pass on information about how many are in the room with you or if you are armed, or if a family member is not with you. All of this information will be critical to the police when they arrive on the scene.

Wait for the Clear Signal from the Police

Regardless of whether you escaped from the house or are holed up inside, don’t come out until and unless you get the all clear signal from the police. Make sure you confirm the presence of the cops in your house with the 911 operator. If everything is ok, the operator will tell you it is safe to come out.

An intruder could enter your home at any part of the day. Have a contingency plan in place for any such eventuality. Make sure every member of the family is aware of this plan. More importantly, invest in a good security system for your home and always set the alarm!

One of the most important tips to be safe after a house break in is to get your locks rekeyed or replaced entirely. Call a trusted, local locksmith in Kyle to get this job done as soon as possible. You can give Kyle Locksmith Co. a call if you are looking for lock rekeying, lock installation or lock replacement services in Kyle or nearby areas. We are available 24/7 and our friendly technicians are always available for assistance with any issues wherein you might need a residential locksmith fast.