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A home invasion is one of the most terrifying emergencies anyone can face. Unlike a burglary that happens while you aren’t home, home invasions are often fast, aggressive and unpredictable. Read on to learn how to stay safe until help arrives during a home invasion when you are using the FREE-to-use iER App.  

Why Home Invasions are so Dangerous 

Home invasions differ from break-ins because the intention is to engage in immediate confrontation. Meaning the plan cannot be executed without your presence. Criminals use violence or threats to gain control, and the psychological impact can be just as severe as the physical risk you face in that moment. 

There are several factors which contribute to the danger: 

• Criminals may be armed. 

• You have limited time to react. 

• Confusion and shock complicate decision-making. 

• Family members may panic or scatter. 

• Criminal groups often act quickly and unpredictably. 

How Home Invaders Gain Access 

Awareness of how intruders operate helps you react more quickly and calmly when something feels amiss. Understanding the standard methods used by intruders to gain entry into your home enables you to recognise threats early: 

• Breaking down doors or forcing locks 

• Cutting burglar bars or removing windows 

• Gaining access through sliding doors 

• Impersonating delivery workers or officials 

• Waiting for residents to arrive home and following them in 

• Forcing entry when the gate opens 

Your First Priority: Stay Alive 

During a home invasion, you are primarily fighting for your safety rather than your possessions. This is why the goal is not to confront, challenge or overpower intruders. Your focus should be on reducing the risk you or your loved ones might be exposed to, so stay hidden if possible and signal for help immediately if you can access the panic button widget from your phone’s home screen to alert the iER emergency centre. 

What To Do if You Sense a Break-In Before Entry 

The seconds before intruders gain access to your home matter and may give you enough time to avoid confrontational exposure. If you hear sounds of forced entry or notice suspicious activity outside: 

• Move away from doors and windows. 

• Wake or alert other household members quietly. 

• Lock yourself in the safest, most secure room available. 

• Turn off lights if possible. 

• Call for help using the silent alert or panic button widget from the FREE-to-use iER App.  

What To Do During a Home Invasion 

If intruders are already inside, your actions should be deliberate, controlled, and focused on ensuring your own survival. 

1. Avoid Direct Confrontation

Confronting armed intruders drastically increases the risk of violence. Unless you are trained and have no alternative, avoidance is your safest strategy.  

2. Hide or Secure Yourself if Safe to Do So

Secure rooms save lives. Even hiding in a bathroom or cupboard can significantly reduce your risk. If you can reach a secure room undetected: 

• Lock the door. 

• Use heavy furniture to block entry. 

• Silence mobile phones. 

• Stay low and quiet. 

3. Use the iER App to Signal for Help

In moments of panic, it becomes difficult to think clearly or dial numbers. This is when you can use the FREE-to-use iER App for your safety. Access to a one-tap emergency alert and immediate connection to a 24/7 emergency centre can ensure security, as well as help police and medical responders reach you at critical moments.  

Your focus should be on staying safe while the iER network dispatches the appropriate responders. This is what you can do to improve your chances of survival:  

• Stay still and avoid any sudden movements when you’re confronted.  

• Make important observations without taking note of the number of intruders, features, weapons, or any other details that may be useful when reporting the incident.  

What You Should Do After the Intruders Leave 

The danger does not end the moment criminals flee. You may still be in shock, disoriented, physically injured and vulnerable to trauma after everything has settled. These are some important points to remember after dealing with such an ordeal:  

• Connect to the iER emergency centre immediately if you have not already done so. 

• Stay in a secure room until responders confirm it is safe to exit. 

• Do not touch anything that could be evidence. 

• Check on all family members, but keep them calm and contained. 

• Seek medical attention if anyone has been injured. 

• Arrange trauma counselling, psychological injuries are real and long-lasting. 

How To Prepare Your Home Before an Invasion Happens 

Preparation reduces panic and improves your chances of staying safe. Outside of relying on the FREE-to-use iER App, these are measures you can consider to enhance your safety: 

• Strengthen entry points with security gates, burglar bars, motion sensors and reinforced doors.  

• Ensure there’s a secure room in the house that can be used to hide away from criminals during home invasions.  

• Establish household protocols and practice safety drills with your family to ensure everyone’s safety and well-being.  

• Avoid predictable routines to reduce your chances of being a target.  

Knowing what to do when faced with a traumatic emergency can help you stay calm and aware of the following steps to take. Access to immediate emergency assistance through the FREE-to-use iER App can significantly reduce the danger you and your family could face in these situations. Preparation and awareness remain your primary safeguards should your home’s safety be compromised.