What do you do when someone is breaking into your house?

Answer 1

When someone is in the process of breaking into your house or has already entered the house:

• grab a portable phone or cell phone and dial 911 (or your local emergency dispatch number)
• hide in the best place you can think of to hide
• stay on the phone with Emergency Dispatch even if you cannot talk because the intruder is nearby
• if the intruder finds you, leave the phone and talk loudly as if you are a deaf person; pretend you are deaf so the intruder has to talk loudly too and so, be heard by the dispatch operator
• don't fight an intruder; within reason, do what the person asks
• Tell falsehoods if you have to in order to protect yourself or family (e.g. My father is due home anytime.)
• DO NOT go to a second location with the intruder. If he/she tries to move you outside or into a car, drop to the ground as if you've fainted or are ill.

As always, the best protection is prevention:

• Lock doors and windows
• Don't put your address on the internet
• Don't tell people you'll be home alone
• Think about a plan before a crisis occurs.
• Tell a trusted adult to watch your house when you're away.