Make Your Home a Hard Target: Build a Break-In Plan

The short version: Most families have a fire plan but nothing for a break-in. Fred Mastison lays out a simple approach: harden the house, set up a safe room, and decide ahead of time what everyone does.

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The risk is not abstract. Mastison cites Justice Department figures showing about 3.7 million home burglaries a year on average, with someone home during roughly 1 million of them and violent crime in 266,560.

Hardening comes first and doesn't have to cost much: motion-sensor exterior lights, shrubs cut back so nobody can hide near the house, solid-core wood or properly installed steel doors with quality deadbolts, working window locks (with shatterproof film if possible) and a monitored alarm that can reach police when you can't. A safe room can be a walk-in closet or small interior room with a solid door, a good deadbolt, ideally a steel frame, plus a light, an outlet, a phone charger, a flashlight, a first-aid kit and water.

Keep the plan simple, since complicated plans fall apart under stress. If you live alone, stay in the safe room, put something between you and the door and call 911 rather than searching the house. If children are home, the goal is to reach them quickly and quietly by a route you've already worked out, then shelter until help arrives. Keep a charged phone and a good handheld light within reach of the bed, and practice with your spouse or roommate. Mastison also makes the case for a firearm and professional training in his own plan; the full article covers that part.

Key takeaways

• Roughly 3.7 million household burglaries happen each year on average.
• Exterior motion lights and trimmed landscaping are cheap deterrents.
• Solid doors, quality deadbolts and window locks slow an intruder down.
• A monitored alarm can contact law enforcement for you.
• Stock the safe room with a phone charger, flashlight, first-aid kit and water.
• Living alone: stay put, take a defensive position and call 911.
• Kids at home: plan the route to them in advance and practice it.
• Keep a charged phone and a handheld flashlight by the bed.

Summary by PrepperSupport based on reporting by Athlon Outdoors. Deal links are affiliate links; PrepperSupport may earn a commission. Prices change quickly, so confirm at checkout.