What to Do the Moment You Hear a Burglar Inside When You Live Alone — First 90 Seconds

The first ten seconds are for listening, not moving. Here's exactly what to do, second by second, if you ever hear someone inside your own house while you're home alone. I'm Mike Brennan, retired detective, 35 years on the job and the back half of it running a property crime unit. I've sat with too many families going over exactly what they wished they'd done differently. This video breaks down the first 90 seconds into six clear steps: freeze and listen, get to your safe room, lock and brace the door, call and give your location first, stay quiet and follow what dispatch tells you, and stay put until it's over. None of it is about confronting anyone. Pick your safe room tonight, before you ever need one. Tell me in the comments whether you already had one picked before this video, just yes or no, not which room, because that part's nobody's business but yours. Sources: Bureau of Justice Statistics, "Victimization During Household Burglary" (2010, NCJ 227379); Federal Communications Commission guidance on text-to-911 availability and limitations. Safety note: none of this is about confronting anyone yourself. If you ever hear someone inside your home, get to a safe, lockable room, call 911, and stay there until help arrives. Do not go looking for anyone, even after they've left. I'm Mike Brennan. Get safe, not brave. #MikeBrennan #HomeSecurity #HomeInvasion #RetiredDetective #BurglaryPrevention #SafetyTips #LivingAlone #EmergencyPreparedness #HomeSafety #PersonalSafety #CrimePrevention #SafeRoom #Call911 #ProtectYourHome #SeniorSafety Tags: home invasion, what to do if someone breaks in, home alone safety, burglar in the house, safe room, call 911, retired detective, home security tips, living alone safety, personal safety plan, emergency preparedness, text to 911, Mike Brennan