What should you do if someone breaks into your house?

Knowing what to do if someone breaks into your house is key to survive physically unscathed. Don’t wait. Have a family meeting and set up your family emergency plan. Read through our list of best home security systems to find out which one is right for you. Stay safe!

Is it legal to shoot someone who broke into your house?

The law is not that simple. You have to have a reasonable fear of death or great bodily harm before you can shoot them. Just because they broke in does not give you the right to shoot them by itself. They may be coming in to rescue people because the house is on fire etc.

How do you escape a house before police arrive?

Out a window, down a fire escape—all good choices. Just remember to alert the 911 operator of your position as you escape the house. Remember, police are on the way—they really do need to know if you, the homeowner, are climbing down a drain pipe.

Is it safe to kick in a door to break in?

Kicking a door in makes less noise than broken glass and doesn’t pose a safety risk to the burglar. Single-family homes in the middle of the street are more likely to be broken into than homes on the corner.

Do burglars use ladders to break into homes?

But some burglars are a bit craftier and may use one of these more creative methods to break into your home. “Most burglars aren’t using ladders or ropes or digging holes to get into your home,” says Emily Patterson, a home security expert for ASecureLife.com.

What tools do burglars use to break into your house?

“Burglars will often use tools like crowbars or credit cards to slip through locks or pry open entryways,” Hall says. Bruce Ailion, a realtor and attorney, adds, “For [houses] with a standard lock and no other security, the easy way to [gain] access is with a pipe wrench.”