Money and Markets: Personal Security

Barbarians at Your Door — Are You Prepared?

Jeff Cantor | Thursday, May 12, 2016 at 7:30 am

Home invaders can bring danger, terror and death.
When attackers burst into your home, you and your loved ones will experience unthinkable mental and emotional stress. Home invaders will do everything in their power to intimidate you in the first 1 to 2 minutes after they burst in. And they will keep up the pressure throughout their "stay."
That’s why you can’t ignore the possibility of this crime. That’s why you must make plans to repel invaders before they strike — while you’re calm and your mind is clear.
Most people think home invasions follow a similar criminal profile as home burglaries. This could not be further from the truth.
Typical residential robbers operate when residents are least likely to be home. These robbers normally work alone, and they do not want residents to walk in on them. They will usually spend time casing a neighborhood before they select a target home that they feel offers them the "spoils" they want with as little risk as possible.
They know to look for dogs, alarms, security company decals as well as for break-in-resistant locks, doors and windows. If a residence poses too many challenges, the robbers will likely brand it as a "hard target," pass on it and look for a "soft target."

Unlike typical home robbers, home invaders deliberately commit their acts when people are home. Even gates and security guards don’t deter home invaders. They can be very creative about finding ways onto your property and into your home.

Failing to plan is planning to fail …

Too many times, home invaders simply drive into gated communities by closely following residents’ cars. To get a foot in the door, the invaders may pose as someone who seems safe so you will drop your guard. For example, they might pose as handymen who want to trim your trees. They might also present false credentials to pass as police, utility workers or code officers.
Also, home invaders usually work in groups and they depend upon the element of surprise. They employ overwhelming force to storm the residence and subdue their victims. And they usually have no time constraints or concerns because no one else but you knows they are there.

So Remember: Failing to plan is planning to fail!

As difficult as this may seem, you must think ahead about worst-case scenarios such as:
How can you physically stop the attackers from hurting you or other family members? How can you set up personal defense zones in your home? What can you do if the invaders are working with other cohorts who are waiting to reinforce their attack? What is your best escape route?
It’s virtually impossible to make good decisions while juggling all of these variables during an attack. Suddenly you’re forced to make life-and-death choices in only pulse-pounding seconds while your brain has switched into its reptilian-level fight-or-flight mode. It’s an almost insurmountable challenge.

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Preparedness is Key to Protecting Your Family

So you need to plan for all of the contingencies you can think of in advance. Some solutions can be used to prevent attacks. Other simple solutions can be set up to use in a moment’s notice during an attack. Here are some common solutions to common contingencies.
Precautions to Consider Now:

1. Having a dog is great. But whether you have a canine or not, I strongly suggest you put up a "Beware of Dog" sign where it is very visible. And even if you do not have a dog, invest in a couple of cheap dog bowls and leave them where they can be seen on your patio, front stoop or on the floor inside within sight of windows. You can also buy alarms that make loud barking sounds to trick criminals into thinking you have a dog. These are all excellent deterrents.
2. Consider creating a safe room. But understand, if you’re locked in a room, you can only get out the way you got in. And beware, if you make a bedroom, laundry room or a closet into a hideout, it should be built or renovated specifically as a safe room. If it isn’t, then home invaders will eventually find a way in or find a way to get you out — such as fire.
3. Get several "door wedges" and keep one near every door so that you can quickly slam the door and kick the wedge under it to buy a few seconds as attackers try to force their way through it.
4. Establish hiding spaces for your children and make a game out of practicing how to hide as quick as they can — just like hide-and-seek. Use a simple code word such as "NOW" to signal when they should hide.
5. If you have an alarm system with a panic button, make sure everyone knows how to activate it. Keep in mind that home invaders will normally watch adults more closely than children because grownups pose a higher risk.
6. Keep your cell phone with you at all times, even when you’re in your own home. And make sure it is always charged.
7. Create an escape plan for every room in the house. Make sure your escape plan includes a strategy for where to go once you are out of the house.
8. Accept that you must exert violence to stop the attackers or escape. Even before any attack occurs, you must mentally and emotionally claim your right to hurt the people who want to hurt you. You cannot hesitate or falter once the fight begins.
9. Plan for violence. Make sure you have improvised weapons throughout the house. Know what they are, where they are and how to use them.  If you have a concealed carry permit, make sure that your weapon is with you at all times, even in your own home!
10. Be prepared for the fight of your life. Remember the objective is to survive, not to be a hero. At all times, hold onto something in your mind that gives you the will to stay strong and fight, such as your loved ones, friends, religion or pets.

Nothing beats preparation and training to give you a tactical advantage. Start now and enact these precautions to mitigate the risk so that you and your family are better prepared for this potential threat.
Begin by having family discussions so that each family member has a basic understanding of what to do and what their role will be, while also appreciating that roles change depending on the circumstances.
Until next time, stay alert, check your six and stay safe!
Jeff