There’s nothing more unsettling than realizing someone might be inside your home who shouldn’t be. In that split second, your brain scrambles – run, hide, call for help – but clarity matters more than panic.
Whether you live in a brownstone, apartment, or townhouse, being prepared for that moment can protect more than just your property.
Here’s exactly what to do if someone breaks into your house, step by step, to keep yourself and your home safe.
Key Notes
Escape immediately if safe; hide and call 911 if not.
Don’t touch anything after the incident; preserve evidence for police investigation.
Replace all locks within 72 hours, even without visible damage.
Layered security (hardened entry, sensors, monitoring) deters most break-ins effectively.
Your Safety Hierarchy
When you realize someone has broken into your home, every second matters.
The number one rule? Prioritize life over property. Things can be replaced – you can’t.
Your response should follow a simple hierarchy: stay safe, alert authorities, then secure evidence.
During The Incident: What To Do Right Now
Decide: Escape or Hide
If you hear or see signs of an intruder, assess your escape options fast.
If you can get out safely, do it. Use a back door, window, or fire escape. Get to a neighbor’s house or a public area and call 911.
If you can’t escape safely, hide. Lock yourself in a room, barricade the door with heavy furniture, turn off lights, and silence your phone.
How To Hide In Place Safely
Pick a room with a solid lock and limited visibility from outside. Stay quiet. If you can, position yourself behind solid furniture and away from windows or doors.
Keep your phone on silent (vibration off) and call 911. Whisper or stay quiet – many dispatchers are trained to handle silent calls.
How To Leave Safely
If you’re leaving the house, do it quietly. Don’t grab valuables. Focus on getting yourself, your family, and pets out safely.
Once outside, go somewhere well-lit and safe, like a neighbor’s porch, and call 911.
Calling 911 Without Giving Away Your Location
When calling emergency services, keep it short and factual:
Your address and what’s happening (“There’s an intruder in my home”).
Where you are inside the home.
If anyone else is with you (especially kids or elderly relatives).
Description of intruder(s) if you can do it safely.
Stay on the line, even if you can’t talk – dispatchers can trace the call or listen for clues.
If You Encounter The Intruder
Avoid confrontation unless your life is in immediate danger and you have no escape route. Even then, focus on creating space and shouting to startle or distract the intruder long enough to flee.
Remember: no property is worth your safety.
Special Guidance By Home Type
Single-Family Homes
If you live in a house, plan ahead for safe exits. Ground-level windows and back doors are escape routes, but they’re also entry points – reinforce them before anything happens.
If hiding, pick a room with a lockable door and no exterior windows if possible.
Apartments
In apartments, escape routes are limited. Avoid elevators – they’re traps. Use stairwells and aim for populated hallways.
If hiding, stay away from the entry door and use internal bathrooms or closets. Silence electronics and turn off lights to make the unit appear empty.
When Police Are En Route
Once you’ve called 911, don’t leave your hiding spot or re-enter the home until officers confirm it’s safe. They may instruct you to stay on the line, unlock doors remotely, or shout a code word.
When they arrive, keep your hands visible and follow their commands – they don’t yet know who the homeowner is.
Once It’s Safe: Securing The Scene For Evidence
Don’t Contaminate Anything
It’s instinctive to start cleaning up – don’t. Avoid touching doors, handles, or items the intruder might have handled. The smallest fingerprint or footprint can help police identify them.
Document Without Disturbing
Take photos or video of entry points, damaged locks, and any rooms that were disturbed. Write down what you notice right away – your memory fades fast after high stress.
Preserve Digital Evidence
If you have security cameras, doorbell footage, or smart lock logs, download copies immediately before they get overwritten. Give them to the police on a flash drive or cloud link.
Working With Police
Expect officers to clear the property first. You may be asked to wait outside until they confirm it’s safe.
Once they begin their investigation:
Provide your full timeline of events.
Mention anything you touched after realizing the break-in.
Identify stolen or damaged items. They’ll file an official report – make sure to get a case number for insurance.
Insurance and Landlord Steps
Call your insurance company within 24 to 48 hours. The sooner you report it, the smoother the claim process.
Provide:
Police report number
Photos and list of stolen/damaged items
Proof of ownership (receipts or appraisals)
If you rent, notify your landlord right away so they can secure doors or windows and coordinate with building management.
Legal Responsibilities After a Break-In
You’re responsible for making your property safe again. That means boarding up broken windows or replacing locks as soon as police release the scene.
Always file a police report – some insurance claims require it within 24 hours. In NYC, landlords typically handle structural repairs, but tenants must document and report promptly.
Root-Cause Review: How The Intruder Got In
Common NYC entry points include:
Weak deadbolts or hollow-core doors
Unsecured sliding or basement doors
Windows with flimsy latches
Garage or building entry doors left unlocked
Outdated smart devices with weak passwords
Review every entry point. Replace locks, reinforce frames, and update access codes regularly.
Prevention That Works: Layered Security
Layered security means using multiple lines of defense instead of relying on one gadget.
Physical Hardening
Start with strong locks and doors. Install solid-core or metal options, reinforce frames with strike plates, and use security film on ground-level windows.
Detection and Verification
Add door/window sensors, motion detectors, and glass-break sensors. Smart cameras should cover entrances, hallways, and blind spots – make them visible to deter.
Monitoring and Response
DIY systems are fine for awareness, but in NYC where police response averages 9–10 minutes for critical calls, professional monitoring can shave off precious time. Monitored systems connect directly to dispatchers who can send help even if you’re incapacitated.
Lighting and Visibility
Install motion-activated floodlights around entrances and dark corners. Keep bushes trimmed so intruders have nowhere to hide.
People, Pets, and Signs
Dogs are great deterrents, even small ones that bark. Add visible signage – “24/7 Surveillance” or “Protected Property” – to remind would-be burglars they’re being watched.
NYC Realities To Factor In
In New York City, most burglaries occur during daylight when residents are away. Apartments see higher rates due to shared entryways and anonymity.
Response times can stretch longer than the national average, so self-protection and preparation matter more than ever.
Building a Family Intruder Plan
Every family should practice what to do during an intruder event:
Choose two escape routes and one safe room.
Teach kids how to lock themselves in safely.
Set up code words for silent alerts.
Keep an emergency kit: flashlight, phone charger, water, basic first aid, and a spare key.
Run a quick drill twice a year – treat it like a fire drill for safety.
Post-Incident Upgrade Roadmap
Within 72 hours: Replace locks, reinforce entry points, add temporary lighting.
Within 2 weeks: Install or upgrade a monitored alarm and camera system.
Within 30 days: Finalize safe room setup, panic button installation, and family emergency plan.
Quarterly: Test systems, check lighting, update passwords, and review escape routes.
Insurance Savings and Documentation
Security upgrades can lower premiums by 5% to 15% depending on your insurer. Save proof of installation and monitoring contracts.
Document everything – photos, receipts, maintenance logs – to simplify future claims.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if I come home and suspect someone is still inside?
Don’t go in. Back away immediately, get to a safe distance, and call 911. Wait for police to clear the property before entering – many intruders linger longer than expected.
How can I help police identify the intruder afterward?
Share every detail you remember – sounds, clothing, height, vehicle, direction they ran – and any security footage you have. Even small observations can make a big difference.
Should I change my locks after a break-in even if there’s no visible damage?
Yes. Intruders sometimes copy or steal keys, so replace or rekey all locks immediately. Consider upgrading to smart or high-security locks for better control.
What’s the best way to protect valuables at home in case of another break-in?
Keep high-value items in a fireproof, bolted-down safe. Store jewelry and important documents in less obvious places – avoid bedrooms and closets, which are burglars’ first stops.
Conclusion
A home break-in changes how you think about safety. The truth is, most people never expect it to happen to them – until it does. Knowing what to do if someone breaks into your house can mean the difference between panic and protection.
The key steps are simple but critical: get to safety first, call 911 quietly, preserve evidence, and secure your home afterward. Then, take time to identify what went wrong – weak locks, no cameras, or lack of a plan – and fix it before it happens again.
If you’re ready to make your space more secure, book a free appointment with our team. We’ll help you build a system designed for your home, your routine, and your peace of mind.
