Below are some simple things that you can do to prevent home invasions.

When you are at home:

• Do not confront intruders
• Do not open doors until you are satisfied that it is safe to do so
• Do not assume you know who's at the door
• Answer "I'll get it" even if you live alone or are the only one at home
• Always let people know you are home. Answer through a window.
• Teach children to never answer or open a door without an adult at the door with them

 In and around your home:

• Do not use door chains. Use strong devices that allow you to open the door a couple of inches
• Women living alone should leave men's boots or other indications that a couple of people reside there
• Seniors should leave toys and other indications that a family resides there
• Reinforce door frames and all doors
• Put more than one deadbolt on doors
• For windows consider safety film or bars
• Don't trust screen doors, they don't keep intruders out
• Use a security alarm, personal panic alarm and intercom systems
• Place long pieces of wood right across back or basement doors
• Have a "safe room" in the house where you can go and lock the doors.  Have a phone in this room and keep your Block Watch map nearby so you can phone trusted neighbors after you call 9-1-1 

Outside your home:

• Keep house numbers easy to see, in the event of an emergency
• Program interior lights and leave more then one light on at night
• Leave front and back outside lights on every night of the year
• Trim shrubbery and other landscaping to eliminate any hiding places 

In your neighborhood:

• Plan with someone else that you will check with one another every day or night
• Have meetings with your Block Watch group to discuss how you can watch out for one another more effectively
• If you don't have a car, have a neighbor park his car in your driveway