WAYS TO DEAL WITH A THIEF IN YOUR HOUSE- #safetyfirst

Your home is your castle, so you want to feel safe and secure inside of it. Unfortunately, your home might be entered by a burglar who’s after your money or valuables. Typically, burglars want to take things without harming a home’s occupants, but that doesn’t make them any less scary! If you hear a burglar in your home, hide from them if you can. Otherwise, tell them you called the police and use your household objects to fight them off. In the meantime, secure your home to make it less vulnerable to would-be burglars.

1

Escape from your home if that’s possible. Generally, it’s better to leave your home if an intruder is inside. Go to the closest door or window and flee to safety. Once you’re secure, call the police for help.[1]

• If neighbors live nearby, run to their house for safety. Otherwise, look for somewhere you can hide, such as inside a grove of trees or behind a fence.

2

Hide inside the closest room or closet with a locking door. Look around you and pick out the most secure hiding spot. If you can, move to a room or closet that has a locking door. Get inside and secure the lock.[2]

• You might also look for a hiding spot inside the room. For instance, you might get under the bed or inside a cabinet to further conceal yourself.

3

Barricade the door to keep the burglar out. Push heavy pieces of furniture in front of the door to keep it closed if you can. Alternatively, lean a chair under the door knob so it’s hard to push open the door. If the door opens outward, loop a belt around the door handle and the leg on a heavy piece of furniture.[3]

• For instance, you might push your dresser in front of your bedroom door. Then, sit in front of the dresser.

4

Be as quiet as possible so you aren’t found. Once you’re hidden, try not to make any noise. Don’t talk except to tell emergency services that you have a burglar. Additionally, don’t shift around or play with something.[4]

• Make sure your phone is on silent or vibrate.

• Don’t try to move hiding spots. This will make noise and might draw attention to you.

5

Listen carefully so you won’t be surprised by the attacker. While it’s scary to think about, it’s likely that the burglar is going to go through your home looking for valuables. They might reach the room where you’re hiding before the police arrive. Listen so that you can hear what they’re doing. Pay attention to the following:[5]

• Do you hear footsteps or other noises coming your way? If so, prepare to run or fight.

• Does it sound like the burglar is talking to someone else? If so, there could be more than 1 burglar.

• Can you hear your property being picked up and packed? This can give you an idea of where the burglar might be located.

6

Call the police once you’re in a secure hiding place. After you find a hiding spot, use your cell phone to call for help. Tell the dispatcher your name, your address, and that you have a burglar. Then, explain that you’re hiding and need to be quiet. Stay on the line until they say it’s safe to hang up.[6]

• Keep the volume of your phone on low while you’re calling for help. This minimizes the chance that you’ll be heard.