A home invasion is when robbers force their way into an occupied home, apartment or hotel room to commit a robbery or other crime. The entry point of attack is often through the front door, garage or unlocked window. It is very important for the occupant to not automatically open the front door before asking who is there because home invaders often knock on the door first or ring the bell with the hope that the resident will simply open the door, without question, and in most cases people do just that. Your First Alert Professional Authorized Dealer can provide you with a Home Invasion Safety booklet for you to share with your family.

While You’re Home:

• Arm your security system (if you have one) even when you are home. This is a common mistake home owners make and home invasion robbers know it.

• Do not open the door without question at the sound of a knock.

• Never rely on a chain-latch as a barrier to partially open the door; a home invader will kick in the door.

• If you are not expecting a package, delivery or service call do not answer the door. Insist that the deliverer provide you with verbal verification of his/her employment and call the company to confirm that the deliverer's impromptu visit is legitimate. Your front door should remain closed and locked!

• Keep doors, garage doors and windows locked at all times, even when you are home.

• Add panic buttons to your security system and place them around your home so you can alert the proper authorities from any location in your home, other then only the keypad.

• Hold a family meeting to discuss home security plans. The best defense against home invasion is education and planning.