How to Prevent Home Invasion: 5 Essential Ways

By AlfredCamera

May 11, 2022

Experiencing a home invasion can be traumatizing. It’s not always what gets taken that’s hard to reckon with, but the sense of violation homeowners feel in the aftermath.

In many cases, homeowners will temporarily vacate their homes until they get adequate security in place, so that they can feel safe again. That’s why it’s important to take efficient, reasonable steps toward effective home invasion prevention.

Read on to learn all there is to know about home invasions, including essential home invasion prevention tips and what to do in the event of one.

Table of Contents

What Is A Home Invasion?

Home invasion can be described as a type of attack in which the invader or offender unlawfully enters their victim’s home. Most home invasions are random break-ins where the criminal often had no prior knowledge of their victims or the materials they possessed.

A targeted home invasion is an aggravated invasion in which the invader is motivated by their victims’ personality or material possession. This is not random, and it usually involves more planning and a more sophisticated approach to attack the victims based on prior knowledge they gained about them.

5 Essential Ways to Prevent Home Invasion

The following are some of the best ways to prevent home invasions.

1. Invest in a home security system

According to Forbes, investing in a smart lock and other home security systems is one of the most efficient ways of preventing home invasion. The former is able to notify you with an alert if you fail to lock your doors, while home security systems come with cameras and automatic locks to help deter home invaders.

2. Get motion-sensing lights, alarms, and cameras

Home invaders hate alarms and motion sensors. Some alarms are so loud that any trespasser on the premises will run away as quickly as possible; it’s been suggested that up to 60% of burglars could be deterred from burglarizing a property by spotting an alarm system.

Likewise, in a security camera, motion detection should be considered a prerequisite. Push notifications or alerts through motion detection enables you to contact the police much faster, or may even do so automatically.

3. Never showcase valuables

According to Safehome security experts, visibility and accessibility to valuable items are the number one reason for targeted home invasions.

The visibility of expensive items in your home will immediately grab the attention of a passerby. When potential invaders notice an expensive item in your home, your home automatically becomes a priority for targeted burglary.

4. Make every entry into your home difficult

This is a no-brainer when it comes to preventing home invasions. Ensure all broken windows and doors are fixed, especially in the backyard. Put coded locks on your doors that only you and your family members have access to.

Ensure your windows are always covered up when not at home, and all bushes, appliances, and fences that can create blind spots for security cameras are effectively mitigated.

One way of getting around this is by setting up multiple cameras focusing on the same area but from different angles. Check out our article on home security camera placement to learn more about the best places for installation.

Home Invasion Statistics You Need to Know

According to the US Department of Justice, there are at least 4,500 cases of home invasions and burglaries daily in the USA, and the average number of home invasions per year was 1,030,000 between 1994 and 2010.

And that’s not the least of it.

At least one property crime happens every 4 seconds.
One burglary occurs approximately every 20 seconds.
One violent crime occurs every 25 seconds.
One robbery occurs every 90 seconds.
Roughly 38% of assaults and up to 60% of rape cases occur during home invasions.
Roughly 2 million homes will have experienced at least one break-in burglary in 2021.

What Is the Difference Between Home Invasion and Burglary?

When it comes to the question of home invasion vs. burglary, the main difference is the expectation of the criminal. According to security experts, burglars don’t expect their victims to be at home when carrying out a burglary, but in the case of a home invasion, the criminals want to extort as much cash and possessions from their victims.

In other words, they want them to be present.

In home invasions, the criminals are uncertain about the location of their loot. Hence, they require occupants of the home to show them. The typical American home invasion tends to be a hostage situation where the entire household is threatened to give up their possessions.

In burglaries, burglars tend to make little or no noise to avoid attractions from the outside while carrying out their operations.

What To Do In A Home Invasion

As important as it is to protect your home by following the tips we suggest, prevention is never a complete guarantee of safety. That’s why it’s equally as important to know exactly what to do in a home invasion and after one has taken place.

Here’s 5 steps that you can follow.

Step 1: Remain calm

It’s easier said than done, but it’s important to stay as calm as possible so that you can act rationally.

Most importantly, try to disregard the importance of material objects for now; about 7% of burglaries involve violence, and your safety and the safety of those also in the property is far more important.

Do not under any circumstances attempt to intercept the invader.

Step 2: Exit the premises

You should attempt to safely leave the property. Do not bring anything with you, and exit as quickly as you can. If leaving the property risks running into the invader, stay where you are and lock or barricade the doors.

Step 3: Call the police

Contact local authorities immediately should you notice a home invader either lingering around outside the property or inside it.

Step 4: Check home invasion alarm system or security camera

As you wait for their arrival, keep an eye on what’s happening in real-time via your wireless security camera. Most importantly, make sure it’s recording, so that you have relevant evidence saved should the intruder end up being prosecuted.

Step 5: Return to your home

Once the police arrive, await their approval before returning to the property. They will want to assess damage and what has been taken, meaning they’ll ask you to identify anything missing.

If they advise you to stay elsewhere for some time, do this if it is possible. If forced entries have caused significant destruction to doors or windows, arrange for a locksmith to come out for an emergency fix.

Tips from AlfredCamera Users on Home Invasion

Security cameras are a fantastic way to significantly improve security around your property and thereby effectively prevent home invasion—particularly modern cameras that sync with smart devices to notify you of unusual movement. But it’s no secret that these cameras can be pricey.

The belief behind AlfredCamera is that everyone deserves reliable security, and that money doesn’t have to be a factor in this.

Simply install the app on your smart device and enjoy 24/7 coverage, motion detection and push notifications among other intelligent features designed to make you feel safer in your property.

In the event of a home invasion, two-way communication through the phone can be used as a deterrent, while the footage the app captures can be used as invaluable evidence by the police when it comes to prosecution.

Even if you’re away from your property, instant alerts mean you can notify the police straight away.

We asked some of our users how they’ve been using AlfredCamera to get the one-up on would-be home invaders. Check out the tips they shared below.

I took a small cardboard box and cut a tiny little hole in the front of it, stuck my old phone inside of it and now it’s on my entertainment center catching intruders into my camper that I live in.

Alfred caught an intruder in my shed. I was alerted immediately, and if not for Alfred, I could have lost so much. It has been my shop and place of business.

I got this service after a break-in. I pointed cameras at both of my only doors. I was able to record the burglar coming back and when I was at work. The footage was sent to the police. They caught him.

My home was being burglarized seemingly on a regular basis, but I couldn’t find a way to catch the thieves because I can’t afford to pay for an expensive alarm system. I was told about Alfred and I am able to use my old phones and create my own system and it works fabulously. Best of all, it’s free. Thanks to this service, I have been successful in getting the thieves out of my home and off the street.

AlfredCamera is now available to download for iOS and Android devices.

FAQ

How do you prevent burglaries/home invaders in the neighborhood?

The best possible way to prevent a home invasion is to make your home difficult to access for intruders. Install home security systems and get alerts on your computer and smartphones. Alarms and motion sensor lights and deter home invaders quickly.

What are the chances of someone breaking into your house?

Shockingly, the FBI estimates one in every thirty-six homes in the US will experience a burglary at some point–so, unfortunately, it might be more likely than you think. There are more than two burglaries a minute in the US. This is why it is important to take reasonable steps toward preventing home invasion.

How can you be safe from home invasions?

ThThe best way to be safe from home invasion is to make plans for escape routes (ideally, through a secured safe room). You can also be safe from home invasions by fixing and fortifying every entrance to your home, including windows as well as doors.

How do you cope after a home invasion?

There is no simple, catch-all solution to overcoming the emotional trauma that can be caused by a burglary. It’s an invasion of privacy that isn’t comparable to anything else, and it can leave victims with feelings of anger, anxiety, and fear. It is important to recognize these responses and allow yourself to feel them, rather than to deny them.

Be gentle with yourself, and seek support in the form of friends, family, or a trained counselor. Being practical and pragmatic about your home security can also be a good way to move on emotionally; take simple steps to do what you can to improve your home security, like setting up security systems and checking your insurance policy.

Conclusion

Any Any home can suffer from home invasion, but being prepared with a home invasion alarm system and security camera can have a significant role in determining the outcome. Though most home invasions are random, a targeted home invasion is an aggravated invasion in which the invader is motivated by their victims’ personality or material possessions. It usually involves more planning and a more sophisticated approach based on prior knowledge gained about the victim.

Being mindful of your surroundings can help you detect future home invasions. Some burglars do make several attempts to invade your home and they often leave clues behind unknowingly. If you have suspicions about your home being targeted based on things your security cameras have picked up, report it to the police or relevant security agency immediately.