Home Invasion

[samurai69]

this seems to be a growing concern both in the uk and the us

what tips and techniques and defences can be utilised here

i am uk based so no guns

 

[Bigshadow]

The fact that you are inside your house and they are not, weapons or not, you do have a distinct advantage.

Here are some things to consider as part of your security plan

• Dead bolt
• Peep hole
• keep door locked at all times
• Don't leave curtains and blinds open at night (out of sight out of mind)
• always visually check who is at the door BEFORE opening it
• Never stand right in front of the door, stand to the side.
• Have the person report their name and purpose of visit through the door.
• Use common sense, ask yourself, "What could this person possibly want?"
• Trust your gut feeling.
• Keep the phone nearby (Britian)
• Keep a weapon and a phone nearby (US)

Your security starts before you have the knife buried in your chest. Set things up physically and procedurally to make it difficult for a surprise entry.

It wouldn't be a bad idea to have something to be used as a weapon near the door, if possible. If they attempt an entry and you see it coming, you have a perfect situation to surprise them and that is an advantage.

Having good environmental security is the first step in an overall security plan. It is much like the walls of a castle.

Set up a good perimeter as a first hurdle for the bad guys. This can stop all but the most savvy.

 

[Brian R. VanCise]

All of Dave's advice above is excellent. If you could have an alarm system with motion detectors this may give you an edge particularly when you are sleeping. If the alarm goes off they may be inclined to leave and if not hopefully the alarm will alert you to the fact that something is wrong and you will have time to call the police as well as defend yourself and your loved ones.

Another point would be to go through "what if scenarios" in your head and figure out how you could best respond to each situation. Then you can formulate some strategies and implement the most effective tactics.

Have the local police number on speed dial.

Have some type of tools that you can use to defend yourself handy.

Use your common sence and also listen to your gut feeling.

Hope some of these suggestions help.

 

[bydand]

I remember a thread like this about a year ago or so. So I'll repeat myself here, I was doing work at one of the sheriff deputies homes a while back and asked him what he used for home defense. His answer was one I never would have thought of, he uses the older dry type fire extinguishers. Keepd them around the house behind doors so you can use them to prop the door open if you want, but are out of sight usually. He said the dry type are great because you discharge them toward the intruder and head the other way while they are blinded by the cloud. If you have to go past them, they make a great club to swing on the way by, because you know where they are, but they don't know which direction you went. Plus a good point he made is that it is not something that would be considered a "weapon" by anybody and if it came down to cracking somebody with one, you are just prepared for a fire and had to use any means at hand to assure you, or your family's safety.

 

[Catalyst]

I've always thought of our dogs as being a deterrent - but I may just be kidding myself.

 

[Bigshadow]

I've always thought of our dogs as being a deterrent - but I may just be kidding myself.

They can be, but I wouldn't put all of my eggs in one basket. Dogs are helpful, but they are not the trump card.

 

[Kacey]

I've always thought of our dogs as being a deterrent - but I may just be kidding myself.

It depends on the professionalism (so to speak) and determination of the burglar.

From Will Training Ruin My Dog?

As disappointing as it may sound, if a perpetrator truly wants to penetrate the boundaries of your home, he will not find the presence of your dog a deterrent. He will come with a method of snuffing out the dog as an obstacle. He may poison, shoot, distract, kill by hand or more likely simply command your dog to leave the house or to go into another room where he will confine the dog while he ruffles through your things. If a person is not fearful of your dog, regardless of how fierce the dog may sound or act, he will be able to overcome the presence of your dog, in one way or another. That is the blunt truth. The most highly trained dog, even those trained to protect or guard, are not immune to the intentions of a person who wants to eliminate it.
On the other hand, the presence of a dog in a home certainly makes the house less desirable for a random thief. The fact that you have a dog and your neighbors do not may lessen your chances of an indiscriminate act of burglary. To a burglar, a dog is simply another issue to consider, like a tall fence that would make it difficult to get your possessions off your property, good exterior lighting or an alarm system. Even a yappy, four pound dog can alert to the presence of a perpetrator or turn one running once the dog begins barking. But, expecting any dog to be responsible for protecting your home and family is simply asking more of the dog than he can truly accomplish. In reality, since a well trained dog recognizes humans as the leaders of the pack, we should be responsible for protecting him from harm! A dog offers a very false sense of security if one expects it to actually fight crime.

Another article

Hamilton, Ontario, Canada- 11.09/01- Ananova- Hamilton police are looking for help in catching a burglar who killed tropical fish in an aquarium and tried to poison the family's dog after ransacking a home. Sergeant Maggie McKittrick, police media relations' officer, said someone poured chlorine bleach into the aquarium after breaking into a Connaught Avenue North home. The intruder also poured bleach in the water dish of the family's black Labrador retriever, which was confined in an enclosure in the house while it's owners were away. The dog did not drink the water, but was pelted with eggs and other materials.

For burglars who are just breaking in to look for valuables, a barking dog may be a deterrent; for someone looking for a specific item s/he knows is in the house, a dog may be less meaningful, and may, in fact, be killed during the burglary.

 

[elder999]

It depends on the professionalism (so to speak) and determination of the burglar.

For burglars who are just breaking in to look for valuables, a barking dog may be a deterrent; for someone looking for a specific item s/he knows is in the house, a dog may be less meaningful, and may, in fact, be killed during the burglary.

Depends upon the proffesionalism (so to speak) of the dog, as well.

I pity the burglar who even tries with my dog..he'll probably wind up partially consumed....

 

[Kacey]

Depends upon the proffesionalism (so to speak) of the dog, as well.

I pity the burglar who even tries with my dog..he'll probably wind up partially consumed....

True... my dog, however, while very noisy, and on the large size, is also a bribeable coward - he'd be standing back at a distance, barking, and shut up as soon as someone tossed him a Milk Bone.

A friend of mine's house was burglarized, and the burglars brought poisoned meat for the dog and put it in the kitchen (this was very planned; they took a 48" TV, after taking the door off its hinges to get it out) - luckily for the dog, she bolted out the doggy door and stayed in the yard until a person she knew came home. Of course, the dog in question is an elderly and overweight spaniel... not really the attack type.

 

[elder999]

Yeah, mine is a 165 (more like 180 these days) lb. fila brasiliero -well trained and sneaky.....:EG:

I'd never heard the dri-chem thing, but I know from experience that the things make a real difficult mess to clean up....

 

[Drac]

The fact that you are inside your house and they are not, weapons or not, you do have a distinct advantage.

Here are some things to consider as part of your security plan

• Dead bolt
• Peep hole
• keep door locked at all times
• Don't leave curtains and blinds open at night (out of sight out of mind)
• always visually check who is at the door BEFORE opening it
• Never stand right in front of the door, stand to the side.
• Have the person report their name and purpose of visit through the door.
• Use common sense, ask yourself, "What could this person possibly want?"
• Trust your gut feeling.
• Keep the phone nearby (Britian)
• Keep a weapon and a phone nearby (US)

Your security starts before you have the knife buried in your chest. Set things up physically and procedurally to make it difficult for a surprise entry.

It wouldn't be a bad idea to have something to be used as a weapon near the door, if possible. If they attempt an entry and you see it coming, you have a perfect situation to surprise them and that is an advantage.

All good ideas...A cricket bat laid across the shins is a sure attention getter...

 

[Rich Parsons]

The list(s) above and information provided are good to start with and work with yourself.

Hear in the states we sell a bee spray that goes about 20 feet in a nice accurate stream.

I like to keep some in the house for those pests that it might be useful against. Be it a bee/hornet or an animal's eyes.


As to dogs I worked with a friend to get a great dane to recognize a punch and a kick and to attack a person if they came at him with these or a weapon. Unfortunately, it did not stop the thieves from using meat to get teh dogs attention, and then they shot him. Then they emptied the house with a moving truck. Neighbors wondered why they were moving out. (* Family was gone for most of the day *)

So I like the idea of a dog, but it should not be your only form of defense, as I think no single method will be able to handle most let alone all situations. Also let neighbors know when you are going to be gone so they can keep an eye out for you. Walk over talk to them. Say hi. Wave. So when you do not do this, as with a person in your car with you they will know something is bad. Not fool proof, but every little bit helps.

Pay attention think simple and use common sense.

 

[samurai69]

great, some interesting bit raised

i like the fire extinguisher idea

great

 

[Drac]

like the fire extinguisher idea,great

It been used over here more that once to defeat a home invader..

 

[Catalyst]

Thanks Kacey, that was a lot of good information and presented things that I really hadn't thought about.

I've been approaching it from the perspective of a crime of opportunity and not necessarily a planned event from a professional criminal who knows what they're after before they break in.

Our neighbors were broken into while they were gone for the day and they don't have dogs, I figured they were an easier target because of that and it could just as easily have been us, but the dogs made us a less likely choice.

But, as has been pointed out, if someone is determined.....
Definitely think I'm going to have to re-evaluate.

 

[elder999]

As to dogs I worked with a friend to get a great dane to recognize a punch and a kick and to attack a person if they came at him with these or a weapon. Unfortunately, it did not stop the thieves from using meat to get teh dogs attention, and then they shot him. Then they emptied the house with a moving truck. Neighbors wondered why they were moving out. (* Family was gone for most of the day *)

So I like the idea of a dog, but it should not be your only form of defense, as I think no single method will be able to handle most let alone all situations. .

This last is true, but my dog will stare at steaks until I tell him it's okay (give signal) to eat them. He's extremely likely, though, to eat anyone who tries to feed him....seriously.

'course, Poohbear isn't bulletproof....

 

[CoryKS]

Hamilton, Ontario, Canada- 11.09/01- Ananova- Hamilton police are looking for help in catching a burglar who killed tropical fish in an aquarium and tried to poison the family's dog after ransacking a home. Sergeant Maggie McKittrick, police media relations' officer, said someone poured chlorine bleach into the aquarium after breaking into a Connaught Avenue North home. The intruder also poured bleach in the water dish of the family's black Labrador retriever, which was confined in an enclosure in the house while it's owners were away. The dog did not drink the water, but was pelted with eggs and other materials.

What the heck? Did he think the fish were going to bark too?

 

[g-bells]

how about a crossbow,an extend-a-stick, a plan of attack in case something happens, mace or anything can be used as a weapon such as lamp, frying pan,golf club.

 

[J-Cop]

I'd like to put my two cents in. Excellent ideas, all of them. Added security to your home is always a plus. Another idea, if you haven't done so already, is to build a solid, friendly relationship with your neighbors, and not just the ones next door. Visist with each other often, get to know each others' vehicles, and establish a level of trust. I understand that it's easier siad than done, I've known neighbors who take turns stealing from each other. But if you can build a good relationship with your neighbors, you can build a stronger community. If you have a potential intruder at your door, your neighbors will see that something's not right at your house and can respond accordingly. It may not work everywhere, but it's just a thought.:asian:

 

[Neal]

Reinforced door jams/dead bolt jams -3" screws from Home depot, outdoor motion detector lighting covering 4 corners/perimeters of the home with activation chime, Criminals hate bright lights, painful thorned bushes grown in front of more vulnerable windows, layer of specialty window film applied to windows makes them shatter/break resistant. The goal is to prevent/slow entry. Always keep your doors locked. There are many options.

If you expect your dog to help protect you, you better professionally select, train/test mans best friend. Anything less is fantasy/wishful thinking. Poison proofing/food refusal should always be included in advanced K9 training.

If your threat level is code red or your defensless, Create a safe room in the house with reinforced doors/locks/walls

Cellular telephone line back-up for your burglar alarm systems



Weapons for self-defense should always be accessible. Sometimes Police response times arent quick enough and you may be the only one around to save yourself.

Layer everything together into a cohesive home defense strategy and for train different entry points in your home invasion scenario training.