In just the last month, we saw two high profile shootings make the news here in Houston. In both instances an intruder was trying to force their way into the homes of the victims, but in both instances the homeowners fought back, leaving one intruder dead and the other with a bullet hole in his shoulder, facing multiple felony charges. 

Rapper Bun B Shoots Intruder Inside His Home

Houston Pastor and Wife Shoot, Kill Home Invader

The are many ways to protect your home and your family, from hardening the house’s physical security measures to relying on use of force, but whatever you decide is best, it’s important to have a plan. While you can’t prepare for every potential scenario, the safety of you and your loved ones should not depend on you winging it in the heat of the moment. 

The best thing you can do is talk about it. According to FBI statistics, there are nearly 2.5 million burglaries a year, and two thirds of those, or roughly 1.65 million are home break ins. This statistic is not intended to scare, but simply to make the point that while unlikely, they do happen at an alarming frequency. So talk about it with your family. Develop a plan, so that if you do hear that break in late at night, you and your family know what to do and are prepared to stay safe.