Home Invasion; What You and Your Kids Should Know
SOUTH JORDAN, UTAH – June 24, 2015 (Gephardt Daily) – When Provo woman Kristine Breeding found an unidentified man in her bathroom after her 11-year-old let him in Monday, she found herself in a very peculiar situation.
“Apparently the boy who answered the door told the man he could use the bathroom, then immediately went and told his mom,” said Lieutenant Brandon Post, Provo Police Department. “While the man was in the bathroom, the mom sent her kids outside and grabbed her gun. She confronted the man through the bathroom door and he just told her sorry, he had to go really bad.”
The intruder was a man, with a diminished mental capacity, who had been missing for nearly 24 hours from a health care center in Orem. “He was not really even aware what he did could have caused harm to anyone,” said Post. “The mom handled the situation well, letting the intruder out of the bathroom and out of her home and allowing police handle it from there, but not every situation works out this well.”
This story may have ended very differently, but how do our kids know what to do in a situation like this? We know we need to have the discussion with our kids about opening the door to strangers but when the time comes, are they capable of making the right decision?
“It really depends on the child’s age as well as the circumstances,” said Post. “There is not really a boiler plate answer for every situation so it is really hard to give precise answers on what to do but there are some things we can recommend.”
Lieutenant Post said make sure your doors are locked at all times, even when you are home. “Tell your kids never to answer the door, especially to strangers, and to go get an adult or parent to answer it for them,” said Post.
Breeding told police she has had this discussion with her son and he has been told to look out the windows before opening the door. “For whatever reason, the child at that moment, didn’t think about it. Possibly because his mom was home and kids have a tendency to think that makes it safe,” said Post.
Wikihow has some great suggestions when it comes to personal safety in your home and how to prevent becoming a target.
1. Think before you open the door. Are you actually expecting anyone? Do you recognize their car, or is it appropriately-marked ? Are you alone and vulnerable?
2. Look to see who the visitor is. Look through a peephole or make sure your security chain is locked and open the door just a crack. If you don’t recognize the person ask them to show their identification.
3. Check on the person. If the person claims to be from, for example, the electric company, and you’ve not been notified that someone would be coming, call the company to check on him.
4. Take your wireless home phone or a wireless cell phone to the door. Have your finger near a speed dial that calls 911 automatically.
5. Take a photo of the caller and his car. If this is possible (with tags visible) and secure your camera before opening the door.
6. Leave the house if you feel uncomfortable after letting someone in. If you begin to feel uncomfortable after you’ve let the visitor in the house, make up an excuse to leave the house and go to a neighbor’s home or call the police.
7. Don’t answer the door if you are vulnerable, or tired. You do not have to answer the door for any reason; this is your decision.
8. Install a security door; a heavy duty door with dead bolt will add a barrier between you and the person on your doorstep.
Making a short list and taping it to the door so kids see it before opening the door may also help remind them of what to do in the moment.
Lieutenant Post said personal safety is the most important aspect they stress to others when or if an intruder makes their way into your home. “We strongly advise leaving the home immediately, if possible and then call police. We do not necessarily suggest apprehension of the suspect, unless it is safe to do so and necessary. We never want to encourage someone to put themselves in harms way by confronting them.”
Breeding told investigators this was a hard lesson for her kids but she is thankful that it worked out. “We don’t see a lot of home invasions while people are home, but it does happen,” said Post. “Have the discussion often with your kids. Even if something appears to be a safe situation, they need to let the adult in the house make that decision, it will help with making sure everyone safe.”
