| In today's society it is becoming all too common to | | | | and call that company to confirm that a parcel is being |
| hear of another home invasion, or a forced entry in our | | | | sent to your home. It wouldn't be the first time that an |
| local newspapers, and media. Many times the victims | | | | intruder has dress up in a uniform to gain easy access |
| were unaware of how they could have prevented this | | | | into a home. Now if it is a person that you do not |
| situation from escalating. I can tell you first hand that | | | | know and they are wearing regular clothing, do not |
| statistics have shown that criminals have become so | | | | open the door period. Always ask what they want, |
| brazen that they no longer care if there is anyone in | | | | and if they state that they need to use your phone |
| the home when they enter to rob, rape, and destroy | | | | because of an accident, tell them you will make the |
| anything in their paths. There are of course many | | | | call, and get the information from them without opening |
| ways to protect yourselves in your homes, but I would | | | | your door. |
| like to just start by giving you a simple technique that | | | | Now if you do decide to open your door to a stranger |
| anyone can use to protect themselves from being a | | | | which I do not recommend, make sure you are |
| victim of Forced Entry. | | | | wearing shoes. The technique will only work while |
| You hear a knock on your door, you open the door to | | | | wearing shoes because you need traction against the |
| see who is there, and before you can even | | | | floor. Bare feet or socks will not provide this for you. |
| understand what is happening, an intruder forces his | | | | Open the door slightly while the ball of your foot is |
| way in by pushing past you. You and your family are | | | | pressed up against the door, and the heel of your foot |
| now at the mercy of this intruder. Many people | | | | is on the floor. Your foot should be braced snug |
| assume that there was nothing that they could have | | | | against the door so that even if the person at the door |
| done to prevent this from happening, but this is far | | | | tries pushing the door inwards, your foot will act as a |
| from the truth. I will now explain a simple technique that | | | | door jam preventing him from forcing the door open. |
| can interrupt this criminals plan. | | | | Regardless of the persons size he will not be able to |
| First always look to see who is at your door either | | | | enter due to the leverage caused by your foot. You |
| through the peep hole, or by asking who it is. If your gut | | | | now can force the door closed with your hands while |
| instinct is telling you something is wrong then listen to | | | | keeping your foot in place. Lock the door and call 911. |
| that feeling and do not open the door. Just because | | | | Another good idea is to have a self defense product |
| someone is knocking at your door doesn't mean you | | | | such as pepper spray an arms reach away from the |
| have to open it or even answer. If it is a person stating | | | | entrance so when you do jam the door with your foot |
| that they have a delivery then tell them to leave the | | | | you can easily grab the pepper spray container and |
| package outside the door and tell them you are busy | | | | spray your attacker's eyes making it easier to close |
| and will get it later. | | | | the door on the intruder, and call for help. |
| You can also ask them which company they work for, | | | | |