Home invasions: the danger is real

A home invasion is when intruders enter a residence while its occupants are present. Contrary to cases of breaking and entering (where occupants are absent), criminals who invade homes rarely do so alone and use physical intimidation and often even violence to get what they want. The number of home invasions has risen significantly in recent years.

Being at home is no longer a deterrent against intrusion and theft.

With its leading-edge technology and integrated functions, Protectron’s security system protects not only your home, but protects you and your family when you are at home.

In accordance with the level of security you need, our monthly remote-monitoring service against intrusions offers the following options without additional cost:

• No system activation – 24-hour protection with emergency buttons (one or more buttons distributed throughout your home, including keypads), allowing you to send an immediate alert
• Partial system activation – protection of the perimeter (doors and windows) leaving you free to circulate indoors
• Partial system activation – protection of the perimeter (doors and windows) leaving you free to circulate indoors, with the exception of the basement (at night, for example – with protection thanks to a motion-detector)

Your home will be monitored day and night by our monitoring centres, and emergency services will be rapidly dispatched to your home in the event of an alarm.

A range of complementary services allows you to raise your level of home security considerably:

	SkyGARD High-security connection
	Patrol service
	Other products and services

Home Invasion.mp3
Home Invasion.pdf

Some practical advice to prevent your home from being invaded:

• Lock all doors and windows, even when you are at home
• Make sure entrances and garage doors are well lit at night
• Install protective casing around exterior light bulbs
• Trim hedges and bushes
• Create the impression that there is someone home all the time
• Do not leave any tool or other object on your property that can be used to break a window or lock
• Use a timer to vary indoor lighting
• Check all access points and correct any vulnerable areas
• Make sure the front door is equipped with a glass panel or peephole
• Install secure locks and latches on all exterior doors, including garage doors
• Install back-up locking devices (pegs, bars) on sliding windows and doors with exterior access
• Have a security system installed and activate it even when you are at home
• Program all emergency phone numbers into your phone
• Do not keep large sums of money in your home
• Keep your precious objects in a safety vault at the bank
• Mark all your valuable objects with an electric engraving pen

What to do if a stranger comes to your door

• You are not obligated to open the door to a stranger
• Let the stranger know there are people in the house – never give the impression you are alone
• Do not open the door even with the door chain on; the chain does not offer sufficient protection
• Use a peephole or window to see who is approaching the door
• Never open the door to a stranger unless you are sure there is no danger
• When in doubt, ask the person for the name and number of the company he represents, and call to confirm his identify
• Never allow a person to come into your home to make a call – offer to make the call for him
• Never divulge any personal information to a stranger
• If the stranger refuses to go, immediately call the police and tell the stranger you have done so
• Sensitize children from an early age to the risks of opening the door to strangers – teach them how to react when there is a stranger at the door

What to do in the event of a home invasion

• Stay calm
• Do not attack the intruder
• Do not resist and do as the intruder says
• Observe and memorize as many details about the intruder as you can
• Be attentive to what he says and how he says it
• Note his clothing, scars, tattoos, accent, odour, etc. – any information that can help the police find the intruder
• Do not follow the intruder once he leaves: note the direction he went in and immediately call the police
• You and your family should explore various possible home-invasion scenarios and prepare an action plan

You can help enhance safety in your neighbourhood

• Get to know your neighbours
• Familiarize yourself with their routine and learn to recognize their cars
• Be attentive to unusual people, activities and vehicles
• Immediately inform your neighbours and the police of any suspicious activity
• Call 911 in case of anomalous situations
• If it occurs to you to call the police, it is because you have good reason to do so – do not hesitate!