Defend Yourself - 10 Suggestions For Preventing And Surviving A Break-in Or Home Invasion

Are you concerned with the threat of a break-in or home invasion? Do you understand that self-defense and personal safety involves more than physically trying to defend yourself against a criminal attacker who wants to beat, break, or kill you?

Perhaps you live in a small, rural, or semi-rural area where your once-quiet community is now the prowling grounds for gangs and other criminal activity. Maybe you feel like you are one of the "lone voices in the wilderness" because everyone else is living in fear or denial.

The same thing happened here in the town that I live in. Only it happened years ago. I warned folks in the late 1980's about the problem. I had just moved here after leaving military service. Unfortunately, no one wanted to believe me until it was too late. Now, we have gangs here that used to only be in the big cities.

But, regardless of whether you live in a city of millions, or a small town of hundreds, the problem is growing, and we can no longer depend on the government or the police to offer the level of protection that we need. Each of us must take responsibility for at least our own safety - if not helping to solve the greater problem.

One of my teachers used to say that, "You can't re-educate the masses."

I don't know if that's true. But, I do know and believe in my heart that you must take steps to do what you can! So, I take care of my family, friends, and those who come to me for help in learning the important lessons, strategies, and skills you need to successfully defend yourself and others from this and other types of threats.

That being said, here are a few suggestions for preventing a home invasion that can help insure that you, and others that you care about do not become a target of these social miscreants:

1) Recognize that it CAN happen to you or someone that you care about.

2) Keep the outside of the house well-lit.

3) Keep shrubbery - especially bushes under windows and other possible entry points - trimmed.

4) Remember that most burglaries, at least here in the US, occur during daylight hours, or in the evening when the owners are off shopping, at sporting events, etc.

5) Check all locks, make sure they are used at all times, and add additional deadbolts and reinforced framing at main entryways

6) Institute a "Neighborhood Watch." One of the things that has empowered criminals in today's world is the fact that, more and more, people are keeping to themselves and not watching out for their neighbors anymore. Remember, if you're not watching out for your neighbors, then chances are - no one is watching out for you and your safety!

7) Either install or post stickers that suggest that you have installed video surveillance equipment on your premises

8) Avoid discussing in public and around strangers, the fact that you hunt, own weapons, or the "awesome new bobble" you just bought

9) Have an emergency evacuation or other "action plan" for getting out, should you wake up and find that you are being invaded, and of course...

10) Make sure that you have some level of self defense training, just in case you find yourself face-to-face with an invader who wants to do more than take your stuff!

Unfortunately, criminals know that we can only do so much. They know that the law prevents citizens from "legally" doing what it takes to shut them down. That's how and why they exist and thrive.

But, you must do what you can, and are willing to do. And, remember, in the words of one of our country's Founding Fathers, "All it takes for tyranny to succeed, is for good men to do nothing!"

I know that he was discussing things in a different light. But, criminal activity, at whatever level, cannot be tolerated and must be guarded against at all cost!