Being the victim of a home invasion is a nightmare no homeowner wants to experience. Just the thought of such an event sends shivers up the spines of peace-loving Americans from coast to coast. Yet most people don’t realize that statistics suggest you are at a greater chance of experiencing a home invasion than a house fire. Home invasions don’t just happen in the drug infested neighborhoods of inner cities. They can, and do, happen everywhere. Unfortunately, very seldom do they end with no one getting hurt.

Hopefully you’ll never be the victim of such a crime. But if you are, surviving a home invasion requires that you act and react in a specific manner. We’ve listed below some suggestions offered by various personal safety experts over the years. Remember that your survival depends largely on you. So take heed to these tips and educate yourself further in personal safety, self-defense, and the use of weapons.

1. Don’t Panic - The first and most important principle of survival is to not panic. This is obviously easier said than done, but it is essential. When we panic certain chemicals in our body are elevated which prevent us from thinking clearly or reacting in an appropriate manner. Only when you stay calm can you make rational decisions that will help you survive. A good way to practice remaining calm is to put yourself in high anxiety situations that are otherwise harmless, like playing games that pity our skills against a clock.

2. Develop a Plan - We’ve heard for years that we need to develop a family escape plan in case of a house fire. The same can be said for surviving a home invasion. As a family you need to develop (and practice) a plan for what each family member will do if someone forces himself into your home. As part of this plan you should agree on a code word that sets the plan into action. The codeword should be simple and easy for anyone to understand even if they are somewhat panicked. Something like “hide” or “escape” works well.

3. Create a Safe Room - People who live in tornado or hurricane-prone areas are familiar with creating a safe room where they can find refuge during a storm. This safe room usually includes a few days food and water, a battery operated radio, blankets, and so on. Consider creating a safe room in your house to be used in the event of a home invasion. The safe room should be lockable from the inside - using several deadbolts, and should contain things like a first-aid kit, a cell phone, a flashlight, and any weapons you are comfortable with.

4. Firearms Protection - Many Americans don’t like to consider the need for owning firearms, believing that the intruder will just “take it and use it against you.” It’s obvious that untrained individuals who use firearms carelessly present as much a danger to the family as any home invader. But with proper training and education, the right weapon could be the very thing that saves your life.

5. Reliable Home Monitoring - Above all else, a monitored home security system is one of the best ways to keep yourself safe. A system that is set up properly will activate the moment your home was invaded and the 2-way voice service combined with the sensor log will notify the monitoring center to hear everything that’s happening. They will notify the police immediately and continue monitoring the situation until they arrive. Home monitoring can reduce the length of time it takes for police to respond by even just a few minutes, which could greatly reduce you and your family’s chances of serious injury or death.