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- 1). Pay careful attention. If you hear someone in your house, listen really carefully for a few minutes. Determine what they’re doing. If they’re talking, listen in. Are they tearing the place apart or being really quiet? Are they coming toward you or someone else in the house or staying near the door? How many people do there seem to be?
- 2). Hide if you can’t get out. Is there a really safe place in your house that you can get to? A place that you aren’t likely to be found? If you can get into an attic without leaving a ladder down or making too much noise, you can go there. If there's a cellar that leads outdoors, that would be a great choice, too.
- 3). Call the police if you can do so without being seen or heard. You can program your cell phone to speed dial 911 if you can make yourself heard on the phone without alerting the intruders, do so. Tell them exactly where you live and tell them there is an intruder inside and tell them where the intruder is. The more details they have, the better they can help you. If you can’t speak, dial 911 and hold the phone close to your body so that the intruders won’t hear them talking. Just leave the line open. They can trace the call.
- 4). Have a family meeting and decide on escape routes just as you would for fire drills. Make a safe room in your house ahead of time. You can use a bedroom closet or an unused bedroom. Have somewhere that you can go into and lock it from the inside. Never go to bed without a cellphone near you. Outside lines can be cut but no one can shut off your cell phone. Keep the charger in your bedroom so it's always handy.
- 5). Do not ever confront an intruder unless you have no alternative. You never know what kind of weapons or training he may have. If you can lock yourself into the room you’re in, do so. It’s always best to have a deadbolt you can lock at night on the bedroom door. Stay where you are and stay alert. Get something to put in your hand; it’s good to have a baseball bat, a gun or a heavy flashlight in your hand but don’t go after them. They may not even go into the room you’re in and you could avoid any confrontation and any personal injury.
- 6). Don’t look directly at the intruder. They could become more aggressive. Don’t assume that you can communicate with this person. They may be drugged up or just a career criminal with no concern for his victims. If you are seen and confronted, don’t argue or try to fight unless it is for defense. Do what you are told and don’t fight unless you have to protect yourself or your family.
- 7). Remember the only thing that's of any importance in the long run is that no one gets hurt. Do all that you can to get out or to avoid being heard or seen. It isn't brave to confront anyone in this situation, it's just reckless. Being careful to stay out of their way is your best defense. Have a family meeting and determine what you would do in the event that someone breaks in, as well as any other emergency scenario.
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