How to Protect Yourself in Your Home

Co-authored by Asher Smiley and Danielle Blinka, MA, MPA

Last Updated: October 21, 2021 References

Your home is your sanctuary, so it’s scary to think that an intruder could enter it. If you’re worried about home safety, protect yourself by making your home secure. Additionally, learn ways to deal with potential intruders so they’re less likely to enter your home. If someone does break in, there are ways you can protect yourself.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Securing Your Home

1
Keep your doors and windows locked, even while you’re home. Although a determined intruder can get past a locked door, always lock your doors and windows. Additionally, check that the locks are working well and feel secure. This makes it harder for an intruder to enter your home.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- If you open a window to let in fresh air, don’t leave that room unattended. Additionally, it’s best not to leave your windows open when you’re not at home or overnight.
EXPERT TIP

Asher Smiley
Self Defense Trainer
Asher Smiley is the Owner and Lead Instructor at Krav Maga Revolution in Petaluma, California. Asher has earned a Tier 1 Instructor Certification in the American Krav Maga system. In 2017, he trained with the International Kapap Federation Combat Krav Maga International, completing their 7 day tactical seminar and the 8 day CKMI instructor course.

Asher Smiley
Self Defense Trainer

Our Expert Agrees: One way to protect yourself in your home is to keep your doors and windows locked. Also, go to every room in your house and think about what you would do if someone broke in while you were in that room. Look at your options for fighting back—what objects would work as a found weapon, or how would you access your firearm if you have one?
2
Trim the vegetation around your home so intruders can’t hide. Thick vegetation and high bushes give possible intruders a place to hide, so it’s easier for them to creep around your home. Prune the bushes and shrubbery around your home so that it doesn’t get too thick. Additionally, manicure any vegetation in the area.^{[2]
X
Research source}
- You might think high bushes will cover your windows and hide your home. However, they also hide a prowler.
- If you have trees around your home, make sure they don’t make it easy for intruders to crawl up to windows on the upper stories of your home.
Advertisement
3
Use curtains to prevent people from seeing inside your home. Burglars are looking for a house that has a lot of valuables. Don’t let them see what they can steal from you. The best way to do this is to cover your windows with curtains or blinds. In addition, doing this can deter potential harassers (e.g. peeping toms and stalkers) from looking into your house.^{[3]
X
Research source}
- It’s easier for them to see inside your home at night when the lights are on. Always shut your curtains after the sun goes down.
Tip: Don’t place your valuables in a spot that’s easy to see through your windows. Thieves will be more likely to break in if they know you have nice items to steal.
4
Install outdoor lighting so there’s nowhere for an intruder to hide. Intruders don’t want to be seen, so they’re less likely to break in if the area around your home is well-lit. Use your porch light to keep the area around your door lit. Additionally, install outdoor floodlights on each side of your home.^{[4]
X
Research source}
- If you have a back door light, turn it on in the evening, as well.
- Consider the position of street lights around your home. They might help keep your home well-lit without you having to install as many outdoor lights.
Tip: Motion-sensor lights are a great option because they’ll come on if an intruder walks near your property. This might scare them away and could alert you that a prowler may be nearby.
5
Install a security camera at your front door or over your garage. A camera may act as a deterrent for would-be criminals if they can see it. They don’t want to get caught, so they might think twice about breaking into your home. If they do still break in, the police can use your camera footage to help catch them. In addition, if the home intruder gets prosecuted, your camera footage will automatically get him/her convicted in court and potentially send him/her to jail.^{[5]
X
Research source}
- For instance, you might install a visible camera over your garage as a deterrent. Additionally, you could install a video doorbell to document who comes to your door.
6
Replace your bedroom door with a heavy wooden door that locks. Most interior doors are thin and easy to kick down. For extra protection, install a thick wooden door to keep your bedroom more secure. Make sure that the door has a strong lock. While an intruder could still get through, it will take them longer to get in, which gives you time to act.^{[6]
X
Research source}
- The door will give you more time to escape or call the police.
7
Get a home alarm to scare off intruders and alert authorities of danger. If you can afford it, an alarm can give you peace of mind. The noise may scare off an intruder, and the alarm company will call for help on your behalf. Compare different alarm systems to find 1 that works for you.^{[7]
X
Research source}
- Most alarm companies give you a sign to put in your yard that shows you’re protected. This can deter a potential intruder from choosing your home.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Dealing with Possible Intruders

1
Form a neighborhood watch program to spot potential prowlers. Most intruders are concerned about being noticed, so they may avoid areas where homeowners are on alert. Work with your neighbors to create a neighborhood watch program. Then, take turns patrolling your neighborhood. Additionally, post a sign at the entrance to your street warning would-be intruders that you have a neighborhood watch.^{[8]
X
Research source}
- If your neighborhood already has a neighborhood watch program, reach out to the organizer to find out how you can join.
- Don’t assume that someone you don’t know is a criminal. It’s possible that they recently moved in, are an invited guest, or are just passing through. If you’re worried, call the police and let them talk to the person.
2
Don’t answer the door if you don’t know the person. Sometimes an intruder will come to your door disguised as a salesperson, poll taker, delivery person, or utility worker. The best way to protect yourself from these individuals is to refuse to open the door. When they knock, pretend that you aren’t home or tell them that you can’t come to the door right now.^{[9]
X
Research source}
- It’s easiest to just ignore the knocking. Monitor the situation until they leave the area so you know they’re not prowling around your home.
- If you're expecting someone, ask the person to identify themself so you know it's the right person.
Tip: Teach your children to never, ever open the door for someone they don’t know. Tell them to always call you or another adult in the house to answer the door.
3
Act like there are people in the house when you answer the door. Sometimes you’re expecting someone, like a delivery person, but you might still be worried. In these moments, call out like you’re talking to someone else in the house. This signals to a potential intruder that your house might be well-protected.^{[10]
X
Research source}
- You might say, “Honey! The pizza is here!” or “There’s four people in this house, but I’m always the one who has to get the door!”
4
Turn on all the lights if you think someone’s trying to break in. Hearing a possible prowler can be super scary! If you suspect someone is outside, turn on as many lights in your house as you can. This shows them that someone is home and prepared for a confrontation. Additionally, it makes it harder for them to hide.^{[11]
X
Research source}
- The lights might also flood the area outside, making the intruder feel very visible.
5
Call the police if you see someone prowling around your home. Don’t take any chances with your safety. If someone might be breaking into your home, call the police immediately and then take steps to protect yourself. Even if you’re wrong about the intruder, it’s better to be safe than sorry.^{[12]
X
Research source}
- If you have an alarm, trigger it to alert the police and possibly scare off the intruder.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Fighting off an Intruder

1
Flee your home if possible. Generally, it’s safer to run away from an intruder than to confront them. If someone is in your home, try to exit through a door or window. Then, call the police if you haven’t already.^{[13]
X
Research source}
- You should still try to escape even if you might get hurt. For instance, there might be a steep drop outside your window, but it’s better to risk an ankle injury than to be trapped with an intruder.
2
Retrieve your firearm if you have one. If you keep a firearm for self-protection, now is the time to use it. Get your gun and your ammunition as quickly as possible. Load your gun, then prepare yourself to fire it.^{[14]
X
Research source}
- It’s still a good idea to hide after you get your gun. The intruder may also have a gun, or they might try to take yours from you.
- It’s difficult to know how you’ll react when you’re facing a threat. You could freeze up or hesitate, so be cautious about pursuing the intruder.
Tip: If you’re planning to protect yourself with a firearm, learn how to use it effectively. Take a class so you can load your gun quickly and shoot with accuracy. Additionally, make sure you learn how to stay calm in a tense situation and how to prevent someone from taking your firearm away from you.
3
Grab a knife if you’re near the kitchen. If you have a knife handy, it can be a great weapon to use against an intruder. However, keep in mind that the intruder could use the knife against you. Get the knife only if you’re prepared to defend yourself with it.^{[15]
X
Research source}
- If you get the knife, take it with you to a hiding spot. That way you can surprise the attacker with it, then run away.
4
Use a heavy household item as a weapon for another option. If you don’t have a gun or knife, you might be able to use something in your environment as a makeshift weapon. Choose something heavy that’s easy for you to handle. Alternatively, use something like a belt or aerosol spray to fight off the attacker. Here are some great options for weapons:^{[16]
X
Research source}
- A bat
- A frying pan
- A small statue or bust
- A wine bottle
- A lamp
- A belt
- A coffee mug
- Bug spray
5
Barricade yourself behind a locked door if you can’t escape. Try to pick the thickest, heaviest door in your home, if that’s possible. Lock the door, then hide inside the room so it takes the intruder longer to find you. Make as little noise as possible so you won’t be easily detected.^{[17]
X
Research source}
- If the intruder is a burglar, they likely won’t try to find you. Generally, burglars want to steal your stuff without a confrontation.
- Hopefully, the police will arrive before the intruder finds you.
Variation: If you’re trained to fight off an attacker, you might decide to confront them. For instance, you might alert the intruder that you have a gun and are ready to use it. However, this can be very risky, so make sure you’re prepared to fight.
6
Call the police when you can safely do so if you haven’t already. If the person breaks in before you have a chance to call for help, dial the emergency line as soon as you’re either out of the house or barricaded inside. This way you’re as safe as possible while you wait for help.^{[18]
X
Research source}
- Be as quiet as you can while calling for help.
- Give the dispatcher your address so they know where to go.

Warnings

Be careful when choosing a weapon for protection. If you’re attacked, the weapon could be taken away from you if you’re not trained to protect yourself.

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0