How to Deal With a Burglar Breaking Into Your Home

Co-authored by Adrian Tandez and Danielle Blinka, MA, MPA

Last Updated: March 21, 2023 References Approved

Your home is your castle, so you want to feel safe and secure inside of it. Unfortunately, your home might be entered by a burglar who’s after your money or valuables. Typically, burglars want to take things without harming a home’s occupants, but that doesn’t make them any less scary! If you hear a burglar in your home, hide from them if you can. Otherwise, tell them you called the police and use your household objects to fight them off. In the meantime, secure your home to make it less vulnerable to would-be burglars.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Hiding from the Burglar

1
Escape from your home if that’s possible. Generally, it’s better to leave your home if an intruder is inside. Go to the closest door or window and flee to safety. Once you’re secure, call the police for help.^{[1]
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- If neighbors live nearby, run to their house for safety. Otherwise, look for somewhere you can hide, such as inside a grove of trees or behind a fence.
2
Hide inside the closest room or closet with a locking door. Look around you and pick out the most secure hiding spot. If you can, move to a room or closet that has a locking door. Get inside and secure the lock.^{[2]
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- You might also look for a hiding spot inside the room. For instance, you might get under the bed or inside a cabinet to further conceal yourself.
Variation: If you have a safe room, try to get to the safe room. However, use caution when moving through the house because you don’t want to encounter the burglar.

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3
Barricade the door to keep the burglar out. Push heavy pieces of furniture in front of the door to keep it closed if you can. Alternatively, lean a chair under the door knob so it’s hard to push open the door. If the door opens outward, loop a belt around the door handle and the leg on a heavy piece of furniture.^{[3]
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- For instance, you might push your dresser in front of your bedroom door. Then, sit in front of the dresser.
4
Be as quiet as possible so you aren’t found. Once you’re hidden, try not to make any noise. Don’t talk except to tell emergency services that you have a burglar. Additionally, don’t shift around or play with something.^{[4]
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- Make sure your phone is on silent or vibrate.
- Don’t try to move hiding spots. This will make noise and might draw attention to you.
5
Listen carefully so you won’t be surprised by the attacker. While it’s scary to think about, it’s likely that the burglar is going to go through your home looking for valuables. They might reach the room where you’re hiding before the police arrive. Listen so that you can hear what they’re doing. Pay attention to the following:^{[5]
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- Do you hear footsteps or other noises coming your way? If so, prepare to run or fight.
- Does it sound like the burglar is talking to someone else? If so, there could be more than 1 burglar.
- Can you hear your property being picked up and packed? This can give you an idea of where the burglar might be located.
6
Call the police once you’re in a secure hiding place. After you find a hiding spot, use your cell phone to call for help. Tell the dispatcher your name, your address, and that you have a burglar. Then, explain that you’re hiding and need to be quiet. Stay on the line until they say it’s safe to hang up.^{[6]
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- Keep the volume of your phone on low while you’re calling for help. This minimizes the chance that you’ll be heard.
Tip: Don't worry about calling the police during a false alarm. If you're afraid, play it safe and call the police.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Confronting the Intruder

1
Confront the intruder only if hiding isn’t an option. Generally, it’s safer to avoid contact with an intruder rather than confronting them. You don’t know their motives for entering your home, and they may panic and hurt you if they find out you’re there. Do your best to escape or stay hidden.^{[7]
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Expert Source

Adrian Tandez
Self Defense Trainer
Expert Interview. 24 July 2019.}
- Your personal safety is most important. Don’t risk your life to save your stuff!
- Keep in mind that the intruder may be more likely to get caught if you hide and call the police. If they think you’re not home, they might still be in your home when the police arrive.
2
Shout “I’ve just called the police” to possibly scare them away. If you’re discovered or can’t find a hiding spot, yell that you’ve called the police already. Shout it out several times so you know that they’ve heard you. This might scare the burglar and get them to leave voluntarily.^{[8]
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- You might shout, “I’ve called the police! The police are on their way! I called 911! The police will be here any minute!”
3
Get your firearm for protection if you have one. You might choose to protect your home with a gun. If so, retrieve your gun from it’s secure spot as soon as you hear the burglar. Then, prepare to use your gun for protection.^{[9]
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- You may choose to shout to the burglar that you have a gun. You could yell, "I have a gun!" However, it’s possible that the burglar could also have one.
- It’s legal in some areas for you to shoot a burglar. However, there may be restrictions on what’s legal, so research the laws in your area. For instance, you might not be able to fire on an intruder who is leaving.
Warning: If you want to use a gun for protection, attend training to make sure you know how to properly protect yourself. Learn how to load your gun, shoot accurately, and prevent someone from taking your weapon.
4
Pick up a knife if you’re near your kitchen. Don’t try to go to the kitchen to retrieve a knife. However, grab a knife if you’re close to the kitchen when you hear the burglar. Keep the knife in your hand so that you can surprise the attacker with it if they get close to you.^{[10]
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- While a knife is a great weapon, it might be hard to use and could get taken from you. Don’t approach the burglar with the knife. Use it to scare them off.
5
Grab a heavy object that you can use as a weapon. You don’t need a conventional weapon to fight someone off. Use a household item as a makeshift weapon to give you an advantage against the burglar. Strike the burglar with your weapon if they get close to you.
6
Strike the burglar’s weak points to help incapacitate them. If you’re close to the intruder, hit them where it hurts. Aim your weapon or a kick at their groin first if they’re a man. Then, attack their eyes, nose, neck, knees, and stomach. Hit them as hard as you can, then run away.^{[11]
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Expert Source

Adrian Tandez
Self Defense Trainer
Expert Interview. 24 July 2019.}
- Your goal isn’t to fight, injure, or detain the burglar. Just try to incapacitate them long enough for you to run away.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Securing Your Home

1
Practice your plan for a home invasion in advance. Try not to worry too much about potential burglars because you’re probably safe. However, it’s helpful to practice how you’ll handle a burglary so you’re prepared. Make a plan with your family and practice it so you feel ready to carry it out. Here are some things to consider:^{[12]
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- Plan an escape route from your bedroom and the common areas.
- Create a danger word that warns other household members of an intruder.
- Designate an area for all household members to meet up.
- Create a safe room by installing a heavy, locking door on one room.
2
Keep your doors and windows locked at all times. Don’t give a burglar easy access to your home. Close and secure all exterior doors and windows, even if you’re home. This prevents crimes of opportunity.^{[13]
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- Check your doors and windows before you go to bed every night to make sure they’re locked.
- Add deadbolts to your exterior doors.
3
Store expensive items in your garage out-of-sight. Burglars are hoping for an easy score, so they’ll be tempted to grab things like bicycles or expensive tools. Keep these items in your garage when they’re not in use, and make sure you or your children don’t leave them laying in your yard.^{[14]
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- Burglars might see these items laying in your yard while they’re casing homes and come back later to steal them.
4
Trim the vegetation around your home so a burglar can’t sneak around. You might think that shrubs and bushes hide your home, but they actually hide would-be intruders. Burglars can easily creep around your home if they’re shrouded in leafy vegetation. Eliminate these hiding spots by keeping your bushes, shrubs, and grass trimmed.^{[15]
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- If you have a multi-story home, trim any tree branches that would allow a burglar easy access to a window or balcony.
5
Install outdoor lighting so would-be burglars feel exposed. Burglars want to stay hidden in the dark, so they might avoid your home if it’s well-lit. Put lights above your exterior doors and keep them on while it’s dark outside. Additionally, install motion-activated flood lights over your garage and the side of your home.^{[16]
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Trustworthy Source
Consumer Reports
Nonprofit organization dedicated to consumer advocacy and product testing
Go to source}
- Check around your home for areas that might need more lighting to be secure.
6
Use curtains to prevent potential burglars from spotting your goods. While casing your home, would-be burglars will look through your windows to see if you have valuables. Make it harder for them to see inside by installing curtains or blinds over your windows. This makes it less tempting for a burglar to enter your home.^{[17]
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- It’s especially important to cover your windows at night. If you have a light on, the contents of your rooms will be very visible from outside.
7
Install a security camera over your front door or garage as a deterrence. Burglars don’t want to get caught, so they might avoid your home if they see a visible camera. Plus, you’ll have evidence to give the police if they do break into your home. Put your camera above your door or above your garage to scare off potential burglars.^{[18]
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- A camera will be a better deterrent if it’s easily visible to intruders.
8
Get a home alarm to scare off burglars and call for help. Investing in a home alarm system may scare off any burglars who do try to enter your home. Plus, it’ll call the police on your behalf so help arrives faster. Research home alarm companies to find one that fits your needs and preferences. Then, get an alarm installed.^{[19]
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- Be sure to display you home alarm company’s sign outside your home so potential burglars know you’re protected.

Expert Q&A
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Question

Can you hit someone if they break into your house?

Adrian Tandez
Self Defense Trainer
Adrian Tandez is the founder and head instructor of the Tandez Academy, a world-renowned self-defense training center in Mountain View, California. Trained under the renowned martial artist Dan Inosanto, Adrian is a certified instructor in Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do, Filipino Martial Arts, and Silat, among other things. Adrian has over 27 years of self defense training experience.

Adrian Tandez

Self Defense Trainer

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Yes, you should defend yourself if they try to get close to you. You can use a household item as a makeshift weapon. A bat, a heavy pot or pan, a lamp, a heavy trophy, or a wine bottle will all work just fine.
Question

What should I do during the break-in?

Adrian Tandez
Self Defense Trainer
Adrian Tandez is the founder and head instructor of the Tandez Academy, a world-renowned self-defense training center in Mountain View, California. Trained under the renowned martial artist Dan Inosanto, Adrian is a certified instructor in Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do, Filipino Martial Arts, and Silat, among other things. Adrian has over 27 years of self defense training experience.

Adrian Tandez

Self Defense Trainer

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Do your best to stay hidden or escape if you think it's possible. Avoiding confrontation is the safest option when someone is breaking in.
Question

How can I prepare to defend myself in a possible burglary?

Adrian Tandez
Self Defense Trainer
Adrian Tandez is the founder and head instructor of the Tandez Academy, a world-renowned self-defense training center in Mountain View, California. Trained under the renowned martial artist Dan Inosanto, Adrian is a certified instructor in Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do, Filipino Martial Arts, and Silat, among other things. Adrian has over 27 years of self defense training experience.

Adrian Tandez

Self Defense Trainer

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

To prepare for a possible burglary situation, keep a few heavy items that you could use as a weapon stored in different points around your house, like near beds, under a couch, or in cabinets. If a burglary does happen, you should be able to get to these items quickly from any room in your home.

Warnings

Learn your jurisdiction’s laws on self-defense. While some allow the use of lethal force when an individual breaks into your home, others have varying definitions of “reasonable force”.

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Call the police if you have been robbed so they can open an investigation.

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