Home invasion is one of the most disturbing things that can happen to a family or an individual. Your home, which is the one place in the world where you are supposed to feel safe and secure, has been violated, and you can end up feeling angry and hurt and no longer safe in your own home. You might be at home enjoying time with your family when someone either bluffs or forces their way into your home with the intention to steal from you, or in the worst case, hurt you or your family members. This can be a frightening situation that no one would ever want their family to experience.

Home invasion statistics are difficult to come by because the FBI does not separate home invasions from all of the other robberies that occur in residences, but the crime happens often enough that homeowners need to be prepared and take the necessary steps to protect themselves and their family.

Fortunately, there are steps that every homeowner can take to lower the chances of a home invasion, and help you feel more protected in your home environment. Another sad fact is that once your home has been broken into, unless the security situation has been rectified immediately, you may be subject to a home invasion repeat, which can be doubly maddening.

Holly's home invasion was frightening, and it made her set up a home security camera. Invasion of privacy is one of the worse aspects of home invasion. After a home invasion shooting in Sacramento, and a home invasion in Riverlake and Sacramento in October, neighbors got together and formed a community neighborhood watch. The Revere home invasion, and the home invasion in Amaral were upsetting for those neighborhoods, as well as the home invasion and shooting in Sacramento. In another home invasion, a shot in Alberta terrified the occupants of that home. One suspected incident turned out to be a squirrel invasion of the house, but it could have been much more serious.

Home invasion prevention is critical because often home security issues are not properly addressed until after something like an attempted break-in has occurred to bring the situation to the homeowner’s attention. Prevention is the best remedy to protect your family from home invasion. Home invasions by their nature occur when the home is obviously occupied, so make sure that your front door has a peep hole installed so that you can see who is at the door before you let them in to your home. Also, you can demand to see ID if the person says that they are from a utility company. If you are not expecting their visit and you do not feel comfortable, you can make them wait outside your door while you call the company to verify that they have been sent to your home for a legitimate purpose. Be on your guard and follow your instincts. Do not be worried about hurting the person’s feelings while you verify their credentials. Yours and your family’s safety could be at stake.