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Surviving a Home Burglary
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What to do during a robbery when are home?
Your home is your castle, a place where you should feel safe. But sometimes things go wrong.
Stay Safe
If a robber gets into your home while you're there, you need to stay calm and do everything you can to survive. If you're in bed, pretend to be asleep. If you can get out without being caught, go. Your responsibility is your safety and that of your family.
If you can't get out and the robber knows you're awake, stay calm. Cooperate and hand over anything he asks for– nothing you own is more important than your life.
Don't fight back unless there's no other option. Never go anywhere with the robbers– if they try to force you to take them to an ATM for cash, it's likely this second robbery will be far more violent or even deadly: they won't need you anymore.
Instead of fighting over possessions that can be replaced, use the time to memorize anything that can identify the intruders to the police– scars, tattoos, eye color, accents, clothing, the smell of tobacco or cologne.
Stay Safer
Consider investing in an alarm system. The sticker in the window or the sign in the yard stating the home is protected by an alarm system may deter a robber. A loud, piercing alarm can scare off a robber and an alarm system can alert the police even if you can't get to a phone.
Never advertise that you're home alone– call out to someone else before you answer the door and never open the door to strangers. If someone needs to use the phone in an emergency, make the call for them without letting them in. Leave spare keys with a trusted friend– robbers already know all the "best" hiding spots outside. And if you've got an alarm system, use it.
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