What to do during a break-in
One in four people were at home when their house was broken into, according to RAA’s 2017 Security Report. So it pays to know how to deal with this distressing situation.
Stopping a break-in before it happens – with the likes of locks, alarms, security doors and shutters – is of course the first line of defence, but what if it’s too late for that?
Should I confront the intruder?
There are many different reasons people break into properties, and their behaviour may be quite volatile, so it’s important not to make any sudden moves or rash decisions in these circumstances. Here are our other top tips:
- Avoid doing anything that could escalate the situation – like confronting an intruder.
- It’s best not to go outside if you hear a strange noise. Instead, stay inside and turn on any outside lights.
- Many burglars are looking to target an empty house, so letting them know you’re at home, and drawing attention to what they’re up to may be enough to scare the would-be intruder away.
- If you do choose to investigate an unknown noise, take a moment beforehand to ask yourself, ‘Am I putting myself or my family in danger by doing this?’
What if the intruder confronts me?
No matter how you approach the situation, remember nothing’s more important than you and your family’s safety.
So, here’s what you can do if you’re confronted by an intruder:
- Try to keep your distance.
- Cooperate and avoid making any sudden or aggresive moves.
- Try to stay calm; the intruder may be armed, or under the influence of drugs that could make their behaviour erratic.
Call for help
Don’t hesitate to call police on 131 444 if you see or hear anything unusual.
If it’s an emergency, you should call Triple Zero (000) as soon as possible.
We’re here if you need us
Do you have a monitored alarm with RAA? Chances are you’ll have a panic button on your alarm’s keypad, or on a separate keychain remote.
If so, here’s how we can help:
- If you’re able to safely get to and press either of these panic buttons, an alert will be sent to our 24/7 monitoring centre telling us you need help.
- Depending on how your system is set up with us, this could prompt our team to get in touch with police or contact a designated third party, such as a family member.