Most of us never envision the possibility of being assaulted by an armed intruder within our home. Yet, the odds of this becoming a reality are far greater than you might expect. Armed robbery and assault have been distant relatives to our society since creation. They have increasingly become more prevalent in recent years due, in part, to a diminishing economy as well as decreased morals within our communities. Nonetheless, this is a serious and life-threatening possibility that we should all prepare for.
Be pro-active. Each member of your family should be instilled with the possibility of an armed intrusion. There should be a family plan on how to react in various situations (similar to creating a home fire evacuation plan), and each member should have a role in which they are trained to play. Recognize individual strengths within your family and prepare to use them during an emergency situation. Realize that everyone should be involved when possible. For example, smaller children are often overlooked during intrusions because the invader does not view the child as capable of playing a key role in obtaining help or providing defenses. Therefore, if the child has been trained to call 9-1-1 in such situations, this could prove the difference between life and death for your family. Always plan for multiple scenarios and have various plans in place.
In preventing a home invasion, you should, of course, make sure that all window and door locks work securely. Be comfortable using your alarm system, and know its’ intrusion/hostage procedure. Most alarm systems have a panic button or a code you enter to alert authorities of a hostage situation. It is also a good idea to program 9-1-1 into each phone within your home.
Guns are a chosen form of protection for most families. This is a proven defense.. when it is an option. In most cases, guns are placed in a secured location for child(ren) safety. During moments of haste, you will not always have the opportunity to reach the designated location of your gun. Many common household items can serve as forms of defense and should be placed strategically in the home. Wasp spray, for instance, has the ability to spray up to 10 feet away from a chosen target. This will provide a defense from your intruder while allowing you the distance needed to attempt an escape or get to the phone. Mace, although it does not have the same spraying power, should also be kept handy. In both instances, Aim for the face and eyes. Fire extinguishers are good sources as well.
It is important to remember that during a home invasion, you should never attempt to stop an armed robber from taking your possessions. Some things you may cherish as irreplaceable, however, they should not be worth your life. Be conscience of your assailant at all times. Continuously reevaluate your situation and look for opportunities to escape and seek help. Do not anger or provoke the intruder. You cannot assume the stability of the individual; anger or agitation may cause irrational and unintentional reactions from the invader. Assume the worst intentions. Be smart; never lose your head. Level thinking and calculated moves can be what saves your life.