Video from brutal home invasion – nanny cam

I’m not going to use this video as a pretense to suggest you purchase a firearm to defend yourself in your own home, I’m just posting it to let you know what can happen – in the middle of the day – to a wife and mother in her own home.

Warning. Don’t play the video if you don’t wish to see a very violent attack that happened in Millburn, New Jersey. I’m putting the video at the bottom of this post, with some real content and real suggestions first.

There are many things you can do to secure your home and your family. First off, even if you live in a comfortable and quiet neighborhood you should still close and lock your doors. In this case, it’s possible an exterior door was not locked, and may have been wide open. One report states the animal kicked the door in.

Second, be situationally aware about what’s been happening in your neighborhood during the last few weeks. Get to know your neighbors. Get to know the community. I guess you could say if you see something say something.

At night, you should have exterior motion lights on all sides of your house that have windows and doors. Plants and shrubs should not be overgrown to the point where people can hide between windows/doors and the bushes without being seen by you when you walk up to, or drive up to your house.

I understand installing an alarm system may be cost prohibitive for some people, but add one if you can. Professional monitoring is available for as little as $120 per year after you’ve paid a higher rate to cover the cost of installation. Yes, if you’re at home during the day it’s perfectly OK to have the alarm turned on.

I also understand having a dog is not right for every family. I really want a dog, but I just don’t feel I could give him or her the attention they deserve. Don’t expect your dog to protect you by “fighting back” unless you have a dog trained to do so. Your dog will be able to give you a “heads up” that something is going on or someone is outside, possibly giving you an extra 15 to 30 seconds to prepare.

If you choose to have a firearm in the home to protect yourself, there are many variables to consider. Having kids or frequent guests in the home will preclude you from “staging” guns and other defensive items around your home. Some people choose to carry a firearm on their person even when home. A firearm left on a table can easily be accessed by you, as well as a home intruder. A firearm unloaded and locked in a safe is of little to no use when you have only a few seconds to react. This is why a firearm is not – and was not – the first item on my own security list.

Finally, realize this. You could do everything listed above and follow the advice of a professional security consultant, and you still can be brutally beaten like this poor woman. Evil exists folks, and sometimes you can not stop it.

Again, don’t play it if you don’t want to see it. Everything you really need is listed above.