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How to Survive a Home Invasion

I thought I had a pretty good plan, single, no dog, pew pews securely hidden near entry locations ... then two years ago, I lost about 90% of my hearing. During the day, with hearing aids, I can detect most sounds, but at night ... without hearing aids, I may not hear a front door kicked in. While in bed, sleeping? I lock my solid core bedroom door, and hope that I can hear it being kicked open ... I do have a pistol at the ready, if I awaken. But I am at a disadvantage with hearing loss.
 
OBwan said:
I thought I had a pretty good plan, single, no dog, pew pews securely hidden near entry locations ... then two years ago, I lost about 90% of my hearing. During the day, with hearing aids, I can detect most sounds, but at night ... without hearing aids, I may not hear a front door kicked in. While in bed, sleeping? I lock my solid core bedroom door, and hope that I can hear it being kicked open ... I do have a pistol at the ready, if I awaken. But I am at a disadvantage with hearing loss.
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There must be warning systems available for hearing impaired.
 
OBwan said:
I thought I had a pretty good plan, single, no dog, pew pews securely hidden near entry locations ... then two years ago, I lost about 90% of my hearing. During the day, with hearing aids, I can detect most sounds, but at night ... without hearing aids, I may not hear a front door kicked in. While in bed, sleeping? I lock my solid core bedroom door, and hope that I can hear it being kicked open ... I do have a pistol at the ready, if I awaken. But I am at a disadvantage with hearing loss.
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quick search. things are available such as strobes, "bed shakers" etc...

The Ultimate Home Security Guide for The Deaf [2025] – Home Security Planet

homesecurityplanet.com homesecurityplanet.com
 
OBwan said:
I thought I had a pretty good plan, single, no dog, pew pews securely hidden near entry locations ... then two years ago, I lost about 90% of my hearing. During the day, with hearing aids, I can detect most sounds, but at night ... without hearing aids, I may not hear a front door kicked in. While in bed, sleeping? I lock my solid core bedroom door, and hope that I can hear it being kicked open ... I do have a pistol at the ready, if I awaken. But I am at a disadvantage with hearing loss.
Click to expand...
So sorry about your hearing loss, OBwan. Maybe motion sensors that trigger lights in your bedroom? I always slept well with my German Shepherd dogs in the room. Take care.

Randall
 
OBwan said:
I thought I had a pretty good plan, single, no dog, pew pews securely hidden near entry locations ... then two years ago, I lost about 90% of my hearing. During the day, with hearing aids, I can detect most sounds, but at night ... without hearing aids, I may not hear a front door kicked in. While in bed, sleeping? I lock my solid core bedroom door, and hope that I can hear it being kicked open ... I do have a pistol at the ready, if I awaken. But I am at a disadvantage with hearing loss.
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I think there are screeching alarms you can get for your door. Useful in motels/hotels, too. A security screen door can help keep the door from being kicked in.
 
This is an excellent summary of all the key points! I like that Lt. Chaney also included being prepared to give responding officers a brief statement. If you have been required by the circumstances to use force against your assailant, then "clamming up" to the police can make you look guilty--but the urge to give all the small details in order to justify yourself can land you in hot water.

Massad Ayoob, one of the most respected persons teaching self-defense to police and ordinary citizens advocates the brief statement in a setting where you have had to threaten or actually use deadly force in the defense of yourself or others.
(1) Describe the active dynamic such as, "That man forced his way in; I thought he was going to kill us. I was forced to defend us." Do NOT lead with "I shot him." Avoid a detailed description of events.
(2) Describe any accomplices/perpetrators who fled and, if you know, in what direction or by what conveyance.
(3) Point out any major evidence (perpetrator's dropped weapon or signs of break-in).
(4) Point out any witnesses before they scatter.
(5) Indicate that you will sign the complaint and cooperate with law enforcement.
(6) Then invoke your right to silence and to an attorney. Do not submit to detailed questioning.

It is very important to recognize that your perceptions of time, distance and size WILL be distorted by the effects of stress and respectfully decline to give details until you have had at least one good night's sleep AND spoken to your attorney. This is to avoid being entrapped by "the criminalization of imperfect memory". Good, honest people have caused all sorts of legal problems for themselves via well-intended verbosity: "He was right on top of me with a huge knife!" (Later evidence shows he was 15 feet away with a 3" knife.) Such distorted perceptions can lead to the impression that you are not honest and are trying to cover up something.

Give the police enough information to understand your defensive situation in broad strokes and give them any information they may need immediately to pursue and apprehend accomplices. Then politely invoke your right to consult an attorney and to calm down before giving details. Avoid excitedly pouring out details that may be distorted by your stress-altered perception of time, sequence, distance and size of objects.

Finally, ALWAYS call 911 as soon as you can safely do so, even if the invader ran off as soon as he saw your gun and no one was actually injured. Police need to know in a timely fashion that a home invader/burglar is active in the area.

And, yes, that is a very cool door lock! Remember that the best locks only work if they are engaged. My wife is well-drilled in keeping all exterior doors locked. So, I carry a house key on me at all times, to avoid being inadvertently locked out.
 
mikep said:
This is my nightmare. Break-in while nobody is home would still be bad but at least we wouldn't be at risk of harm.
I have a plan, but as the saying goes, "Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the face."
Having 2 dogs, one of which is big and loud, helps I suppose.
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2 dogs is a massive deterent.
My two will chew on someone they dont know. Not happy hounds with strangers. Good luck
 
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