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A violent home invasion is one of the most frightening crimes a family can imagine. It is also less common than television suggests, and most of what protects you is unglamorous: locked doors, a sturdy frame, good lighting and a plan everyone in the house knows. This page summarizes what federal crime data says about how intruders get in, and then points you to our detailed guides for each layer of protection.
What the data says
The Bureau of Justice Statistics studied household burglaries from 2003 to 2007 (BJS, Victimization During Household Burglary). It is older data, but it is still the most detailed federal study of break-ins at occupied homes:
- About 3.7 million burglaries happened each year. A household member was home in about 28% of them.
- Someone experienced violence in 7% of all burglaries.
- In violent burglaries, the offender was someone the victim knew 65% of the time and a stranger 28% of the time.
- When offenders entered an occupied home without forcing their way in, they were equally likely to use an open door or window (27%) or an unlocked one (28%).
Two practical lessons follow. Locking up is the single cheapest protection, and planning for a threat from someone you know matters as much as planning for a stranger.
Three layers of protection
1. Make entry harder. The Houston Police Department’s home-safety advice starts with keeping doors and windows locked, because “too often, criminals get into homes through unlocked doors.” It also recommends solid-core entry doors with reinforced frames and deadbolts, exterior lighting, a wide-angle peephole, and never opening the door to someone you don’t know (Houston PD). A door jamb reinforcement kit and motion-sensor lights are inexpensive upgrades. Our low-cost home security guide works through doors, sliding doors, windows, lighting, alarms and cameras in order of value. For deterrents, see which decoys are worth it.
2. Have a plan everyone knows. Houston PD suggests a “safe room” with a reinforced door, an exit to the outside and a telephone. Decide in advance who goes where, who calls 911 and what you will say. Our guide to what to do in a home invasion covers getting out, locking in, the 911 call and what to do when police arrive. It includes a printable drill card.
3. Know your neighbors. Neighbors who know your routine notice a strange car or an open door. Swap phone numbers with the people on either side of you and agree to watch each other’s homes when someone is away.
If you keep a firearm at home
A firearm is a personal decision with legal and safety responsibilities. Store it securely, especially around children, get proper training and learn your state’s laws on self-defense. Never fire warning shots or shoot at something you have not clearly identified. The home-invasion guide covers the safety rules. If you prefer not to keep a gun, see our review of non-lethal self-defense options.
During long emergencies
After a major storm, a long power outage or a period of unrest, police may take longer to respond. The same layers still apply: lock up, keep exterior lights working if you have power, stay informed and stay together. Avoid confrontation; your goal is to keep your household safe, not to defend property at any cost. Our civilian preparedness plan for unrest covers deciding when to leave or shelter. The household power outage planner helps keep lights and phones running.
Why this page changed
An earlier version of this page told readers to “take your best shot” if an intruder resisted. It also included political and religious content about who might attack during unrest, and promoted a specific camera brand. We replaced it with a short, sourced summary that links to our detailed and regularly reviewed home-safety guides.
How we researched this guide
Research method: This page summarizes the Bureau of Justice Statistics report Victimization During Household Burglary (NCJ 227379, 2010, covering 2003–2007) and the Houston Police Department’s Home Safety page, both read in November 2026. We are not law enforcement or legal professionals. Follow police instructions in an emergency and check your state’s laws before relying on any self-defense option. Product links to Amazon are generic searches for a type of item, not brand endorsements, and we have not tested them. We may earn a commission from qualifying Amazon purchases through these disclosed links.
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