Home safety: What if someone breaks in when you’re in the house: here’s what to do

SEATTLE — There were more than 41,000 burglaries across Washington in 2020, and one of the last things you want to experience is being home when someone breaks in.

“We don’t know whether they might be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, we don’t know if they have a weapon, we don’t know a lot of things,” said Seattle Police Department south precinct crime prevention coordinator Jennifer Danner.

Danner said the first thing to do is to get out of your home, if possible.

She said if you’re unable to leave, go to a room where you can lock yourself in or barricade the door.

Then call 911 and be clear about what’s happening and where the intruder is.

Police say you can tell the dispatcher if it’s no longer safe to talk and they’ll continue to listen.

You can also text 911 if you have to. The state’s emergency management division says 31 of the state’s 39 counties have Text-to-911 service or are testing it.

Danner said you should have an emergency escape plan and practice it ahead of time.

“What if someone tries to come in the front door? What is my safety plan? My safety plan is getting the heck out the back door, right? But what if the back door is not the option? Well, now I might need to consider a window,” said Danner.

But what if you get home and see your front door is slightly open or a window is broken, for instance?

Police say do not go inside to see what has happened, because someone could still be inside. Get to a safe spot, whether that’s your vehicle, your neighbor’s house or the park down the street.

Also observe anything you see, hear or even smell, such as a strange car or the odor of smoke.

Once safe, call 911 and report the details.

SPD’s crime prevention team will come to your house for free, answer questions and look at your home for any improvements you can make.

If you’re not in Seattle contact your local police department.

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