In these challenging times, home invasions are increasing. We saw that just before Christmas with the murder of Creve Coeur resident Susan Schaffer who apparently interrupted a burglary in progress. Two teenagers took her life before escaping with a home computer, an iPod and a digital camera.
We all hate having our possessions stolen. But the real danger is that the crime can quickly escalate into an assault or homicide. As a former cop, I’ve seen it all. So pardon my passion as I share with you the top 12 ways to deter a home invasion.
Always lock your doors – even when you’re home. Install deadbolt locks on all your exterior doors, including the door into your garage. Then close your garage door!
- Keep your windows locked. The hardware store has window locks that let you open the window but still have it locked. Set the locks so that the opening is no wider than a person’s head.
- 50% of all burglaries are through unlocked doors and windows. One-third of all assaults happen in and around a victim’s home. I repeat: Lock your doors!
- If you have an alarm system, turn on the exterior door/window alarms when you are home. Turn on the entire system when you leave.
- If you have a dog-walker, pet-sitter or plant waterer, give that person a key rather than leave your door unlocked — even if you live in an apartment, condo or dorm with an outside door that locks.
- Install and use a peephole if you have no windows that allow you to see outside your door.
- Do not open the door to a stranger. Only open the door if you know the person or if you’re expecting a delivery.
- Chains are not protection. Once a woman opened the door with the chain on to a man who said he needed to use her phone. She passed the phone out to him. When he passed it back, he had a gun, and he forced her to open the door. He stole jewelry, and definitely scared her.
- Call the police if someone doesn’t leave your property or they’re acting suspiciously.
- Pay attention if you’re being followed. Several years ago in Houston, elderly women shoppers at an upscale mall were targeted based on their jewelry, then followed home and robbed.
- Schedule a family meeting to make everyone aware of the safety rules, such as keeping doors locked and not opening them to strangers. Don’t scare your children. Just make them aware– especially if they babysit.
- Create a safe room. This is usually a bedroom with a deadbolt lock on the door and a cell phone in its charger.
In each of my safety programs, I discuss how to avoid being the victim of a home invasion. I hope this information will help you and yours to stay safe.
Nancy Hightshoe is a St. Louis-based speaker and safety expert who presents seminars on resilience, leadership, motivation, negotiation and personal safety. She’s a former Crimes Against Persons detective who cleared 85% of her cases. (The national average is 49%.) Nancy has spoken throughout the US and in 17 foreign countries.
