The very first thing I'd do is NOT call the police, but work with what I've got. I would call my partner before the police because he'll get here sooner. I have a knife and pepper spray. I don't keep my knife or spray right with me while at home, but there have been times when I'd be going to sleep early in the morning (third shifter here) with noone home and I'd get just a bad feeling and bring my knife or pepper spray to bed with me, sometimes both. Just every now and then I get those bad, scary feelings and feel safer having some kind of protection.

I guess it really depends on the situation -- which part of the house I'm in when the intruder happens across me or what objects I could use as defense are closer to me. I don't know for sure. It'd also depend on what they were doing. A gun, no gun? If they have a gun, I'm just going to be quiet, listen and maybe even pretend I'm asleep if I happen to be in bed.

All I can say for sure is I hope it never happens.

I would definitely fight back if necessary. I've really, really, really wanted to take up some kind of defense class. I'm small, weak and I look like NO threat to even a kitten. I actually am a lot stronger than I look though due to working out, but that's just my legs and stuff. It's not like I could pick a big dude up and throw him or really defend myself that well.

We don't really have anything worth stealing but my immediate reaction would be to protect my partner. And since we can't really count on the police, I would have to wake my partner. I'm terrible at self defense but she's great, and together we'd fend them off.

Calling the police is a high priority, but in a real home invasion, it comes at the bottom of my list, since by the time they could get there, bad things could happen to me or my family. Thus, in order of response, 1. Obtain weapon from headboard safe (touch pad/instant access). 2. Use pre-arranged family alert to notify anyone else in house to a threat. (allowing them time to lock doors and stay put, or, if safe, move to our pre-arranged "defensable" position. 3. CALL POLICE. 4. sit tight in our pre-thought out "defensible" area of our bedroom (most home invasions occur at night).
5. Defend home/family if needed.

Any intruder in our home will be facing a minimum of an AUTOMATIC/rapid fire .410 laser ranged shotgun with home defense shells, as well as a .45 caliber semi auto, laser sighted handgun, with a LARGE magazine and "frangible" home defense ammunition (minimal wall penetration to pose little threat to others in the house). We are both very practiced and proficient in their use.

I won't even tell you "woe to he that tries THIS house", as I would also hit the LIGHT KILL master switch in the bedroom....effectively the master cut off to all lights on in the house, thus plunging the place into total darkness, which is EXACTLY what I would want, since Mr. and Mrs. Bignuf would then turn on our night vision goggles and confront the bad guys who would probably NOT have night vision (and most likely a FLASHLIGHT...making them stand out like a BIG NEON TARGET, as they stood there blind). A best case scenario.

We honestly hope and pray NEVER, EVER to be in that kind of situation. It is a horrible thing to have ANY violent confrontation with another human. I don't seek it. I don't want it. However, if a bad guy chooses to violate my home and threaten my family, then THEY have made that choice and forced the terrible decision on me, and I have already made MY plan firm and complete.

The bad guys will pay a very high price for their evil deed.

Well put. Love the sign.

Most home invasions are about violence to people as much as theft. That is why the bad guys choose to come in when there are people home!!! Normal robbers do all they can to rob an EMPTY house. They DON'T WANT confrontation. Thus a home invader is there to DO YOU HARM and will come armed and ready to do bad things. If you are "not good at self defense", then FIX THAT. There are a million classes you can take on Self Defense and on Fire Arms use as well. Second, have a WEAPON and a PLAN. Without BOTH of those, "fending them off" is a pipe dream (or should I say a NIGHTMARE). "HOW would you "fend them off"? Ask your partner that actual question today. Two guys, armed with pistols and knives and intending bad things. They are in your front door...ask yourself "NOW WHAT"? It IS scary to think about, but FAR less scary then dealing with it, unprepared. WE live in a crazy world with crazy people. Better prepared then not...for all kinds of things we would rather not think about. As a parent, I give this even MORE thought then ever before. My daughter, once of legal age, was given a pistol, long gun and LESSONS. Thankfully she uses them ALL with precision. Brings me a bit more comfort to know she can defend herself.

BINGO!!!

No matter how small and weak you think you are, you will be surprised how much a karate class will teach you about leverage, angles and body mechanics that will make you MUCH more confident with your own ability to defend yourself. Don't think about it...just go DO IT. Take those classes!!!

Victims always scream. It never seems to do much good. Heading out a window sounds fine. How quickly could you really open and exit that window? You should try it one day. Can you get out quick enough to avoid confrontation with an armed person, in the middle of the night, that has just kicked in your door?

Running is NEVER a bad idea, but it often takes FAR longer to execute, especially from a sound sleep, then reaching for a weapon secured next to the bed. Just the facts.

It's tough to think about, but it is FAR better to think about and BE READY then to have something happen and NOT be ready.

Protect them HOW? Always have a SOUND, real plan. I taught womans self defense at college and in grad school. Helped pay the bills.

Saying I would do this or that is not a plan. A plan is KNOWING what you would use to carry out that desire. Be it a gun or baseball bat, you need a solid PLAN OF ACTION, before thinking you can protect those kids.

It was having kids that made me become expert with firearms, beyond the karate I was already seriously good at. I wanted to DEFINITELY be able to defend them in a hostile world.

Catch THEM by surprise and "knock them out"? Sounds very Hollywood. As a woman that has TAUGHT self defense, believe me. At 3 AM, when they have crashed though the door, armed with a gun,and you are stunned upon waking up from a sound sleep....WHAT do you plan to "grab" to knock them out? HOW do you plan to "surprise" THEM, when they just entered a house, KNOWING it is occupied? Please work on a more sound plan of action. We should ALL have one.

In the right hands, some Dildo's might make VERY potent weapons, but you had better have gone through many martial arts classes training with them. Just sayin'

I need a sign like that!