Your home has been marked for burglary. What should you do next?

It can be scary and very worrying to realize your home could be next on a burglar’s list. As a provider, a husband, father, or a son caring for his parents, this raises one’s stress levels. Remaining calm is important here. Let’s backtrack and see what you have done so far after realizing your home has been marked.

Action taken so far

• You have taken detailed photos of the marking including a home marking or house number in the photos (time stamp on every photo especially important).
• You have reported the matter to your local police station and shown them the photos. You also got your report on file with a case or docket number.
• You have also reported to your local neighbourhood watch (if you have one – I’ll explain what action to take if there is no neighbourhood watch in your area in this blog) and obtained an OB number.
• You have cleaned your sidewalk and removed all markings.

Things to consider

So let’s address a concern we all share. The safety of our loved ones. We will look at options that you can consider should there be any reason to suspect that the invasions that have taken place in your neighbourhood included violence that lead to injury or even death. Our main concern is for our families and protecting them. I’m going to give you a list of steps to consider and also provide you with an action plan.

Before you think that I am overreacting, let me just remind you that a criminal will kill you or your family especially if you should catch him on your property or in your home. One out of every ten criminals run and get scared when they are caught. Like you, they have families they are trying to provide for, and unfortunately, you have to pay the price for that. The worst criminals are those with an addiction they need to sustain.

As a security professional, I’ve realised that once the property has been marked the hardest part of the job has been done. The criminals are already in phase 2 of the burglary – planning. There is now an 80% chance that a burglary attempt will be made on your home. You need to be ready for what is about to come. To do nothing could cost you everything, but being prepared and then having nothing happen means that you lose nothing.

It’s also very important that you understand that this advice can not only save your life, you are making it clear to the criminals that you are aware of them and their intentions. Nine times out of ten that scares them. It scares them that after studying you and believing that you are an easy target, the tables have turned. They are left uncertain of what has changed and how prepared you may be for them. The odds that they may still try to break in is reduced dramatically. That does not mean that it’s not going to happen, but at least you are now prepared and ready.

Action-Prevention-Plan (APP)

So let’s start with the fact that you might not have a neighbourhood watch. What then should you do? Let’s start with forming an Action-Prevention-Plan (APP).

APP Phase 1

One option to consider is to let your loved ones stay with family or friends for a couple of days. Moving the people we love to a place out of harm’s way without disrupting their lives is always a good first move to make. If that is not an option and without the help of a neighbourhood watch, it’s important to turn to a family friend and even a neighbour if they are trustworthy. Explain to them what is going on show them the photos and inform them of the steps you have taken with regards to reporting it to the police. If you receive the assurance that they will help you should it come to that then it’s time for Phase 2.

APP Phase 2

Phase 2 of the APP is where you do a home clean-up. A home clean-up is where you evaluate everything around your home that could be used to (1) gain entry into your home, and (2) objects that can be used as weapons against you or to kill your dogs if you have any. Metal poles/pipes, garden forks, slashers, cordless drills, spades or shovels. Anything that can be used against you. Lock it up in a secure area or room. If you can’t lock away safely go and store it with family or friends.

APP Phase 3

If you are not in possession of a firearm and moving your family to a different location is not an option then phase 3 of the APP comes into effect. In this phase, you remove all dangerous items and hand tools inside the home and lock them away. Items like hammers and screwdrivers can easily be used as weapons. Remove your kitchen knives and everything else that can be used against you.

It’s wise to do this in such a way that you still have access to these items if need be.

APP Phase 4

You may not have a firearm or any knowledge of self-defence. Maybe you are a single mother or widow staying by yourself and you don’t know what to do. You may not have the means to buy something that can protect you. The 4th phase of the APP will help you to protect yourself if intruders gain entry into your home.

Train your kids

Take empty spray bottles (the trigger type commonly used for cleaning agents) and fill them with water. Now teach your children (that are old enough to understand) to aim for an attacker’s eyes and spray while closing their eyes at the same time. If they are too small teach them to close their eyes when you take that bottle and most importantly they must not touch that bottle. (Remember the water is just for practice).

Golden rules of Self Defence

Now you probably wondering how can a spray bottle possibly protect me and my family? Well, there are 3 golden rules for self-defence if you can’t defend yourself especially if your attacker has a knife or another form of weapon.

• Eyes – If you can blind your attacker temporarily it could create an oppurtunity to escape
• Lungs – Leaving your attacker unable to breathe can also give you time to get to safety
• Distance – Getting as far away as possible from an attacker can give you an oppurtunity to escape or find help.

In that spray bottle that you used before, mix 1 part vinegar (undiluted), 1 part glass polish and 1 part nail polish remover with 1 part of anything that has a high ammonia content. Keep that bottle close to you at all times. A can of insect spray is also very effective especially when sprayed in the face.

If you are ever attacked, you can incapacitate the attacker by spraying the contents of the spray bottle into their eyes making sure that you don’t get anything in your eyes or breathe in any of the droplets. When your attacker can’t see they can’t attack, when they can’t breathe, they then become vulnerable.

But don’t think that you are safe after spraying them. Your fight is not over just yet, take whatever you find and swing for the fences. And you don’t stop until you feel safe.

TIP: your grocery cupboard or even where you store your cleaning products. Most of those mixed properly can cause damage to the eyes and when it comes to defending yourself there are no rules. That jar of vinegar and chillies that have been brewing on your cupboard for the last month is also very effective. If sprayed into your attacker’s eyes and face.

Does this work?

I responded to a distress call once and when I had arrived on the scene I was amazed to find a 68-year-old granny who had fought off two burglars with nothing more than a can of oven cleaner and an AMC Classic frying pan. The one attacker sustained heavy head injuries a broken cheekbone, he was unconscious when I arrived. The other one suffered 4 broken fingers, a broken nose and a cut over his left eye. I later found out that due to the excessive use of the oven cleaner they both suffered some lung damage and the 1 lost 20% vision in both his eyes.

Conclusion

It is possible to defend yourself with items found inside your home. Make sure that intruders don’t get the opportunity to use those items against you by storing them in a place inaccessible to anyone but you.