How to respond to a burglary, and create an action plan.
These are some tips to help you remain calm and be prepared in the case of an intrusion. It is a good idea to practice your action plan ahead of time so that you are ready to respond, instead of trying to think of what to do in the moment. This is a guideline to help you get started, everyone’s action plan will look a little different according to what works for them. I hope you enjoy these tips.
Stay Calm!
This is number one because when we act out of fear, we sometimes do not make the best decisions and our behaviors do not always reflect our rational thinking. It can be difficult to not panic when a stressful situation occurs, as our adrenaline is pumping and our instincts want to kick in. However, it is so important to take some deep breaths, and know that everything will be okay. Rehearsing your action plan ahead of time will make you feel less panicked as you will already know how you are going to respond.
Call 911 Immediately.
This one is obvious but it mustn’t be overlooked. Make sure you call the authorities ASAP before you call anyone else for help. Every minute counts! Brainstorm a list of close family members or friends who live nearby that you could call next in line for support.
Keep your cell phone or an emergency line near by.
Install a dedicated phone line in your bedroom, or in a communal area in the home for everyone to access. Having a dedicated landline or cordless phone could be a good idea in case your cell phone battery dies or you misplace it. You could also install an emergency cell phone unit anywhere in your home, which Prime Alert can provide. For a small additional monthly fee, you can add this service with us.
Have a planned escape route.
Think about the layout of your home and the different routes you could take depending on where the intruder may enter. There may be multiple windows on the bottom floor or different exit doors throughout the house to choose from. But try to think about the ones that are going to bring you to the front of the home quickly, so you are able to run to the neighbors and alert them if need be. If you escape into the backyard, you will be adding an extra step for yourself when exiting the property. If your bedroom is on the second floor, escaping safely through a window may not be an option. In this case it may be best to hide instead.
Keep a weapon near your bedside.
Like the good old days, it’s never a bad idea to have a baseball bat or something close by if in case you need to defend yourself. It can give people that extra bit of confidence while waiting for the authorities to arrive.
Talk with your neighbors and form an alliance.
If you have some neighbors near you that you can trust, talk with them and ask if they are comfortable with supporting you in case of a burglary. Having someone nearby and a safe space to escape to can make a huge difference for your safety and the likelihood of the criminal being arrested.
Download the “Nextdoor” app.
There’s an app called “Nextdoor” that you can download to your smartphone, tablet, or you can use their desktop version. This app is a networking platform for all the people in your neighborhood. You can make posts about anything you want, but it is mostly a neighborhood watch platform to keep everyone in the loop about what is happening in your area. If an intrusion occurs in your home, you can alert everyone through the app and all of your neighbors will see it. This is a very useful tool to notify relevant people and help catch the criminal.
Know your rights as a homeowner in your jurisdiction.
Every state and county have different laws when it comes to home defense. Certain states have the “stand your ground” law, which does not apply in California. If you do some research about the laws in your area, it can give you some ideas about how to best respond in a burglary situation. This will ensure that you are acting in accordance and making the best decisions ahead of time about how to best respond.