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November 15, 2019

Safety Tips for a Home Invasion

Safety Tips for a Home Invasion

According to the FBI, a burglary occurs every 23 seconds. That’s almost 5 burglaries every minute, every day. While those statistics can strike fear into the hearts of homeowners and apartment dwellers alike, it is not necessary to fear that you’re going to be the next target. Instead, follow these home invasion safety tips to fully protect your home.

Home Invasion Prevention

home security tips

Being prepared in advance is the best protection to prevent home invasions. Check out these simple home invasion safety tips:

  • Keep your home locked at all times

No matter how safe your neighborhood may be, crime happens everywhere. By keeping doors and windows locked (even when you’re home!), you make it much more difficult for an intruder to enter your home. This means you need to pay attention to more than your front door and first-floor windows. Staying truly safe includes locking second-story windows and doors, as well as sliding and garage doors. 

In the event that you keep your doors open for a particular purpose (ex – you’re keeping the back sliding door open during a family pool party), be sure to lock things up as soon as everyone leaves. A great habit to get into is to check all doors and windows before going to bed; because even if you kept everything secure, kids, spouses, and other visitors to your home may not have taken the same precautions.

  • Focus on the home’s exterior

Exterior lights are an excellent way to discourage an intruder from targeting your home. He or she may be reluctant to approach a well-lit home, where it would be easy to see and identify the criminal. Meanwhile, a dark home is the perfect setting to break in without anyone noticing or being able to identify the intruder.

Exterior cameras to track the comings and goings of individuals is another way to put a would-be intruder on notice. Even home security company signs deter possible intruders. In fact, you don’t need to actually have the home security system, since the sign alone is a known deterrent.

  • Purchase a Silent Beacon

home panic button

The Silent Beacon is a personal safety device that summons help with the push of a button. Paired with the free Silent Beacon App, this home panic button allows you to trigger an alert that sends texts, phone calls, and/or emails to your preset contact list. Simply program your contact list to include up to seven contacts, from friends and family, to first responders and other emergency personnel. 

Between the Bluetooth and GPS technology, emergency responders can easily identify your location quickly, and two-way voice communication allows you to talk to your contacts while you wait for help to arrive. Because this home invasion safety tips or home safety device is small and lightweight, you can carry it with you, no matter where you are in the house. Either clip the Beacon to a keychain or lanyard – or just slip it into your pocket or purse.

After a Home Invasion

Even if you’ve followed all the home invasion tips, it is still possible that you could become the victim. This can be a traumatic experience, and it may be difficult to think clearly. However, it’s now more important than ever to do the following:

  • Increase your odds, so a home invasion doesn’t happen again

Review how the intruder got into your home and determine if there are steps you could take that would prevent a repeat experience in the future. Maybe your windows were old and easy to pry open. In that case, consider purchasing newer, sturdier windows. Or, if you hadn’t been vigilant about keeping doors locked, and that was the intruder’s point of entry, create a new habit of locking doors at all times. You need to check daily that everyone else in your home has done the same. And if you didn’t have a home panic button like the Silent Beacon, invest in one today!

  • Contact your insurance company

Whether you rent an apartment or own your home, contact your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance company to deal with any stolen goods. Starting the process as early as possible will ensure that missing items are fresh in your mind.This also gives the insurance company time to begin processing your claim – resulting in compensation for your losses asap.

  • Process your feelings

Many people feel that a home invasion is a complete violation of their personal space. More than missing objects – some of which may have incredible sentimental value – there is also a feeling of victimization and a fear that no one is truly safe. Instead of burying these feelings or allowing fear and resentment to fester, consider meeting with a counselor or therapist to help you through this difficult time. A qualified professional can not only help you work through your feelings in a healthy way. But also empower you to take back your sense of security and peace of mind.

The numbers don’t lie: home burglaries happen quite frequently. However, by following these home security tips, you will not only decrease the odds of becoming a target. But you’ll also know how to deal with a home invasion, in the event that you do become a victim.

And remember, Silent Beacon is here to protect you and your family from burglaries and home invasions. Visit SilentBeacon.com to learn more and to purchase your Silent Beacon today.