How to Prevent Home Invasion and Protect Against Criminals in Disguise | By Jordan Frankel

With home invasions and property crimes on the rise, it’s more important than ever to take action to prevent home invasion and protect your loved ones. Criminals are becoming increasingly deceptive, posing as workers or authority figures to trick residents into letting them inside. If you lack a solid home security plan, you may unknowingly open your door to a criminal in disguise.

In a recent report from CBS Boston, authorities revealed that an organized crime ring involving home invasions and property crimes was under investigation across multiple states. These suspects pose as water department workers or other officials to fool residents and gain access to homes. Knowing how to handle unexpected visitors and taking home security measures can make a significant difference in keeping your family safe.

Prevent Home Invasion with a Strong Home Security Plan

According to the U.S. Department of Justice National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS), approximately 266,560 household burglaries involve violent crime against residents each year. Around 28% of these intruders were strangers to their victims. Additional findings from the report reveal:

• 15% of violent crimes involved physical assault
• 3% of incidents involved rape
• 36% of cases resulted in minor injuries to residents
• 9% of cases resulted in serious injuries

Criminals who target residents and use them to steal valuables tend to be bolder and more dangerous than the average burglar. This type of intruder significantly increases the risk of violence. That’s why it’s essential to understand how to prevent home invasion and make your home less vulnerable to criminals in disguise.

The following home security tips from residential security expert and Vice President of Global Security Experts, Jordan Frankel, will help you develop a comprehensive home security plan to keep you and your family safe from intruders.

1.  Instill a “Safety First” Mindset with Your Family

Teaching your family a “safety first” approach is crucial for preventing home invasion. Many people instinctively go to the door and open it when they hear a knock or the doorbell rings. Avoid this potentially dangerous habit and train your family to do the same.

• Don’t Open the Door to Strangers: If you haven’t already, adopt the rule of “NEVER OPEN THE DOOR TO A STRANGER.” Teach everyone in your household the reasons for this rule, including children. Remind them that even someone who looks like a police officer or utility worker may not be who they appear.
• Teach Children Safe Habits: If your children are too young to fully understand the risks, make sure they know not to answer the door without an adult present. Set clear boundaries around answering the door to reduce the chance of accidents.

By teaching these “safety first” principles, you can help protect your family from intruders posing as workers or officials. This proactive measure is a simple yet effective step to prevent home invasion.

2. Be Cautious with People Posing as Officials or Workers

Criminals often disguise themselves as authority figures, such as police officers, delivery personnel, or utility workers, to gain access. Here’s how to handle unexpected visitors safely:

• Verify the Visitor’s Identity: When someone you don’t know arrives in a uniform or official attire, there’s no legal obligation to open the door. Instead, ask for their name and the agency they represent. Call the company or agency directly to confirm their identity.
• Politely Decline Salespeople: If a salesperson knocks on your door, simply say you’re not interested and ask them to leave. If at any point you feel unsafe, contact local authorities.
• Stay Alert: If a visitor refuses to leave after being asked, or if something seems off, call 911 to report suspicious activity. Remember, putting home security and personal safety first is essential to prevent home invasion.

3. Ensure Everyone Can Safely See Who’s at the Door

Having a safe way to check who’s at the door is vital for preventing home invasion. This is especially important if you live in a busy area where family members or children may feel inclined to answer the door without caution.

• Install Peepholes at Multiple Heights: Make sure everyone in your household, including children, can see who’s outside before opening the door. Installing peepholes at different heights can help everyone identify visitors safely.
• Use an Electronic Peephole or Surveillance System: An electronic peephole or home surveillance system allows you to view visitors via a screen or your smartphone. Choose a device with an LCD monitor so anyone in the house can clearly see who’s outside before approaching the door.

These systems not only protect you from intruders but also offer peace of mind and enhance home security.

4. Strengthen Door Security with a Heavy-Duty Brace

A standard door lock is often not enough to keep determined intruders out. For better door security, reinforce your entry doors with additional security features:

• Install a Security Door Brace: In addition to a deadbolt, invest in a heavy-duty security door brace like the OnGARD. This type of brace can withstand up to 1,800 pounds of force, making it much harder for an intruder to break through.
• Delay Forced Entry: By installing a strong door brace, you can delay an intruder’s entry, giving your family more time to contact authorities and seek safety.

With added door security, you can significantly prevent home invasion attempts and make it much more difficult for a criminal to force their way inside.

5. Protect Windows and Door Glass with Security Film

Intruders often break windows or glass door panes to gain access to a home. Reinforcing these vulnerable areas with window security film adds a layer of protection:

• Use Quality Security Film: Apply security film, such as BurglarGARD, to glass door panes and windows. This film strengthens glass, making it harder to break and increasing the noise level when someone tries.
• Deter Intruders: The extra effort and noise required to break through security film can deter criminals and delay entry, allowing time to contact police.

By adding window security film, you protect against potential home invasion and make your home a less attractive target.

6. Secure Your Garage Against Intruders

Garages are common entry points that criminals use during home invasions. Many people overlook garage security, which can leave their homes vulnerable to intruders.

• Keep the Garage Door Closed: An open garage door signals that the home may be empty. Always close and lock the garage door, even if you’re only stepping out for a moment.
• Lock Interior Doors Leading to the Garage: Install a deadbolt and door brace on any door leading from the garage to your home. This extra security layer helps prevent home invasion if a burglar gains access to the garage.
• Update Garage Door Codes Regularly: Change the codes on your garage door remotes frequently to reduce the chances of a criminal accessing your garage.
• Integrate the Garage with Your Alarm System: Ensure that your home alarm system includes the garage. Motion detectors and glass break sensors provide an extra level of security in case of a break-in.

Play it Safe to Prevent Home Invasion

Criminals constantly think of new ways to gain access to homes, and it’s essential to stay vigilant. By adopting these home security measures to prevent home invasion and protect against criminals in disguise, you can create a safer environment for yourself and your loved ones. When it comes to home security, being prepared and proactive makes all the difference.