3am...You awake in a start. What was that noise? Fear washes over you and your heart races as you realise someone is inside your house...
Australia is a generally safe and secure country to live in. We go about our day to day lives without fear; In fact we are almost oblivious to the dangers that could possibly lurk around the corner. For most of us coming home and locking the door behind us makes us feel safe and secure. I mean, what safer place could there be than your home?
It seems that every day there's another story about a violent home invasion though. Could this be due to increased financial pressure through loss of jobs or inflation? Does it stem from drug addiction or organised crime? Are people seeing the family home as a soft target and therefore easy prey?
I worry about this rising crime rate and have made adjustments to how we live within our home. We have action plans, and procedure's in place in an attempt to mitigate the risk. One such procedure is to lock the door when we are inside...At all times. There have been so many reported incidents of people being burgled whilst actually home, in the next room watching TV! Violence often ensues when the homeowner stumbles across the intruder. Of course, there have also been many cases of criminals forcing entry and brutalising the occupants.
One of my own friends woke to find an intruder in the house about 4 years ago. He grabbed up an ornamental samurai sword and chased the guy into the street...All whilst still naked. Sounds funny but if he'd he caught up with the intruder it would probably not have ended well for one, or both, of them. The police will probably advise against such action for obvious reasons.
For me...Well I'm a pretty prepared sort of guy in general. I'm prepared in respect of the manner in which I approach work, recreation, hobbies, socialising and pretty-much everything I do. The same can be said about home security and my level of preparedness. I certainly don't ever want to be in a situation in which my preparation is put to the test however I should I be, I don't intend to be the victim. Many people believe that the police will be there to assist. Sure, they might be, but what if they are not? They do a great job with what they have to work with sure, but they can't be everywhere.
I urge people to look at their home security measures. Do you have a CCTV system recording to DVR to capture images of possible intruders and as a record of events? Do you have adequate locking mechanisms, designated evacuation routes and access, do you have self-defence skills and equipment and an understanding of what to do in a violent situation? Do you understand the laws in respect of self-defence of a person and of property?
It is a sad indictment of today's society that we need to contemplate these things. I was brought up in a small town where we didn't lock cars or the house. Ever. Those days are gone unfortunately. You owe it to yourself and your family to have emergency action plans in place, to be more aware inside and outside your home and to be prepared. Ask yourself what you would and wouldn't do to protect the people you love.
Thanks for reading. Get prepared. Don't be a victim.
Image courtesy of shutterstock.com.
Nice post mate. Ice - it's a fucking plague. Wellington, where my Grandparents lived most of their lives (near Dubbo), always had standard country town sort of problems: kids on the piss, no jobs etc, but all in all was a pretty alright kind of place ... Ice was the tipping point. Town of less than 5000 people and it's now known as the bloody 'South Pole' http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-07-23/nsw-town-nicknamed-south-pole-for-ice-habit/6643292
Yeah mate, it's a terrible thing. You know, when I see someone on ICE and all the antics etc. it reminds me of...Dare I say it...Zombies. It's why I prepare as much as I can. One of those people gets inside your house at night? Not much most people could do for a positive resolution.
Exactly bro - the zombie analogy is pretty spot on - unless you crush the head, fucker is getting back up screeching and tearing.
I understand one of the current trends is to operate as a group.
Hard to fight off four or five guys, particularly if strangers have dictated what equipment you 'need' and don't need.
Yes, agreed @mattclarke frightening stuff. We've had it happen here. They break in, overwhelm the occupants, tie them up, rape, bash...A lady I worked with about 15 years ago was murdered that way only this year! Frightening. I read between the lines on your "equipment" comment. I was careful how I wrote that in my original post. We are a controlled society and the right to defend ourselves has been extremely regulated. The authorities regulate and control the law-abiding licensed individuals and yet criminals can freely obtain the items they need to ply their trade. I have an equipment storage facility and yet it would do me no good in an emergency situation. Certainly to "carry" said equipment on ones person would help I think. Alas, it's not to be.
Your friend's blood is on the hands of every policeman who disarmed her.
You don't get to threaten her for keeping items you don't like, in her own home; then shake your head sadly while you take photos of her unarmed corpse and expect gratitude from her family, for your 'service'.
I'll take matters into my own hands before calling 000. They can come and take pictures of my corpse if it goes against me, or someone else's if it goes my way.
This is Australia. No such thing as legal self defence equipment. only allowed weaponry is incidental or improvised weaponry being that which comes to hand first. otherwise anything else (such as say a Bokken - Japanese wooden training sword) is still considered a weapon and if they (law enforcement/ legal system) can pin "intention to use conventional weapon like item as a offensive weapon" on you they will. The reasonable force laws are very ..ambiguous too. Good realistic training (stress testing as well) and prep are key indeed.
Nice call on the DVR/CCTV.
Awesome post over all Upped
Great comment, I agree. To be honest I don't think there's much I wouldn't do, or attempt, to protect my wife in this type of situation. Of course I'd suffer the consequences one way or the other, but I'm not the "lay down and take it type."
Cheers, Much the same man, i live in a city. it can be nasty around here and i am well acquainted with my house and fighting in confined spaces. nothing will stop me protecting my wife and family with as much..intensity as required. rather be prepared for something that may never happen than not prepared and a victim of my own complacency / reliance on the law enforcement deterrent illusion.
Stay safe mate.
~Chris
Well said!