Just by turning on the news, reading the newspaper, or surfing the web, you will most likely be bombarded by the latest robberies and homicides that happen all over the United States. Crime in the nation is the cause of more deaths and loss of property than all natural disasters combined. Every year more than 13 million people (5% of the U.S. population) are a victim of crime. Crimes that are violent in nature make up for over one and a half million of the 5%.

In 2005, 1.4 million home invasions occurred, with every year since continuing to rise. A home invasion is when the aggressors force their way into your home, apartment, and even hotel rooms to commit their robbery and other crimes. It is similar to a car jacking, but even more personal by taking place in your residential space. Home invasions usually take place at night and on the weekends when it is most likely victims are home. You may be targeted beforehand by living alone or your wealth. Once in your home, the greatest threat of violence is the first sixty seconds. Home invaders are usually equipped with rope, duct tape, and even firearms.

Home invasions are becoming more common besides carjacking. This way of burglary is growing because it is much easier and convenient for the invaders to strike at someone in their home and not have to deal with alarms and video cameras that they would encounter at restaurants and convenience stores. Some home invaders simply ring the home’s doorbell and if the homeowner opens, they have easy access. Other invaders just kick the door in. Once they have the owners under control, they will begin to pick through the belongings. Hopefully they will leave and not commit more crimes such as sexual assault or even murder.

The best defense on preventing crime, especially in your home is by educating yourself about various products and planning. You have to prepare if say this were to happen to you. How would you handle this situation? You can effectively prevent most cases if you and your family have the right safety defense plan. An easy way is to lock your doors, windows and garages at all times. If you would feel safer doing more than that, there are alarms, home video surveillance cameras, and even simpler items such as pepper sprays and mace.

Don’t forget to not let your guard down at any times. Keep some sort of self-defense items with you while you are not home. It is wise to have a cell phone on you in case of an emergency. Besides that, pepper sprays and mace are easy to carry and hide. A robber not always suspects you have it and will be surprised when you use it. If you really want to be safe, a taser might provide assistance. There is a big variety to choose from. Find one you can be comfortable with when handling.

As the population continues to expand, so will the cases of crimes. Being knowledgeable and prepared will help you and your loved ones avoid from being added to the nation’s statistics. Spread your knowledge along to others in hopes that for generations to come, crime will be a problem of the past.