How to feel safe again in your own home

Faith177

Got home from work on Saturday to find some little darling has attempted to break in to my home by prising open the small top kitchen window


Looks like luckily the dogs scared them off before they could do any real damage or get in.


The police weren't able to gather any evidence but said there were smudge marks showing they got their hands in to open the locks on the main window below


I now can't relax in my house every time I hear a noise I'm getting up to investigate. I know I am so very lucky that they were stopped but I just can't shake the idea that they are going to come back doesn't help that I suffer with anxiety so my brain is running away with itself


Has anyone else been through this and have any advice?

Mr_Planky

Never been in that situation but you have my sympathy. Hopefully now they know you have dogs this might deter them from coming back.

supermassive

When I was a teenager, the house I lived in with my mother and step father was burgled. They took EVERYTHING. All that was left was the large furniture. The insurers didn't pay out because it was a suspiciously large amount and the police had no evidence other than missing items and a broken window. Not sure what the insurers thought their job was.

Anyway, each and every day I was terrified to go to sleep, to wake up, to do anything. At age 14, I was a prisoner of my own mind in my own home. I developed insomnia, and anxiety that I still have to this day.

From experience and looking back, I'd say the best option you have is to put up some extra security (cameras etc) develop some 'safe room' strategy of what you'd do if there was an intruder (keep a machine gun under your bed?) and don't get into the habit of being awake all hours trying to rationalize any and all noises. You've got dogs, it was probably them farting.

Faith177

supermassive wrote: »

When I was a teenager, the house I lived in with my mother and step father was burgled. They took EVERYTHING. All that was left was the large furniture. The insurers didn't pay out because it was a suspiciously large amount and the police had no evidence other than missing items and a broken window. Not sure what the insurers thought their job was.

Anyway, each and every day I was terrified to go to sleep, to wake up, to do anything. At age 14, I was a prisoner of my own mind in my own home. I developed insomnia, and anxiety that I still have to this day.

From experience and looking back, I'd say the best option you have is to put up some extra security (cameras etc) develop some 'safe room' strategy of what you'd do if there was an intruder (keep a machine gun under your bed?) and don't get into the habit of being awake all hours trying to rationalize any and all noises. You've got dogs, it was probably them farting.

:rotfl:

Thank you for this supermissive really made me chuckle (just what I needed tbh)

I'm going to take a look in B&Q and Homebase this week to get some timer lights and some other bits

SailorSam

When i did voluntary work for VS i met many who had had their homes broken into and while it was a terrible thing for them we had to try and get them to understand that most houses don't get broken into, so in the future there's more chance that you wont become a victim of crime.
I started volunteering with VS 'cos some years earlier they'd helped me. I use to drive a Cab and one night i was the victim of a serious attack and ended up in hospital, the lady i saw from VS tried to make me remember the 20yrs i went out on the Cab each night i wasn't attacked.
It's not easy, it's a long time since i was stabbed, i can still see him but you have to think it's highly unlikely it will happen again.

Update,
Did you go to see anyone at VS, just talking helps. You're always welcome.

catkins

I've been burgled and it's horrible and it took me ages to get over it. I would jump at every noise and when me and OH went out I would make OH go in first to make sure every was ok.


Now I have 2 fairly large dogs who I am sure would put off any would be burglar.


I would think your dogs scared off the toe rags and they are unlikely to come back. Burglars don't bother with houses with dogs on the whole.


You could put some measures in place such as a movement sensitive light, maybe a security camera, window locks. Have at least one lamp come on with a timer so that if you are out the house isn't in complete darkness

Faith177

SailorSam wrote: »

When i did voluntary work for VS i met many who had had their homes broken into and while it was a terrible thing for them we had to try and get them to understand that most houses don't get broken into, so in the future there's more chance that you wont become a victim of crime.
I started volunteering with VS 'cos some years earlier they'd helped me. I use to drive a Cab and one night i was the victim of a serious attack and ended up in hospital, the lady i saw from VS tried to make me remember the 20yrs i went out on the Cab each night i wasn't attacked.
It's not easy, it's a long time since i was stabbed, i can still see him but you have to think it's highly unlikely it will happen again.

Update,
Did you go to see anyone at VS, just talking helps. You're always welcome.

catkins wrote: »

I've been burgled and it's horrible and it took me ages to get over it. I would jump at every noise and when me and OH went out I would make OH go in first to make sure every was ok.


Now I have 2 fairly large dogs who I am sure would put off any would be burglar.


I would think your dogs scared off the toe rags and they are unlikely to come back. Burglars don't bother with houses with dogs on the whole.


You could put some measures in place such as a movement sensitive light, maybe a security camera, window locks. Have at least one lamp come on with a timer so that if you are out the house isn't in complete darkness

The police gave me a leaflet for the VS so I think I will give them a call when i get home tonight.

Sorry to hear that you were stabbed SailorSam but good on you for giving something back

Thanks aswell Catkins that's what I keep telling myself about the dogs but my brain is having trouble accepting that

Georgiegirl256

Sorry to hear this has happen Faith.

If you haven't already, get one of those outdoor security lights that come on when they detect movement.

Make-it-3

We were burgled when I was pregnant and very hormonal. The thief broke a window while we asleep upstairs - so it made me feel particularly vunerable. OH had to go to work so I sat in the house not daring to leave the room they had got in through in case they came back while trying to find an emergency glazer.

The police were quite good, came out took prints from the window frame etc and caught the guy some months later after breaking in to another property.

Try to get some advice if there is anyway to tighten your security - that helps and other than that its giving it time to let the memories fade.

Counting_Pennies_2

We were burgled at 4am while sleeping in our beds with a toddler in the room closest to the stairs.


Luckily we had a burglar alarm and they set it off so left with just my handbag and many sentimental items such as baby scan photos etc.


I would wake at 4am for many months/years.


We have since moved to a larger house. My house is now very much a fortress. The first day we moved in we got an alarm fitted. All gates have locks, we don't have any open access round the back.


Eventually you will calm down, but the vigilance never goes, it has just served as a reminder to ensure everything is as secure as it can be

meer53

I was burgled whilst myself and my 8 year old daughter were asleep in bed. I never heard a thing, they took everything, including my brand new car. They snapped the lock on the back door and let themselves in and out again.

The police came and fingerprinted everywhere but no one was ever arrested and my car was never found. My insurance replaced everything thankfully.

The police sent a security company round and they fitted sash jammers to all my external doors and PIR lights front and back for free.

When i'm in the house i feel safe when the sash jammers are on, it didn't really affect me that much as where we live it's very unusual to hear about burglaries. The police said they must have come initially for the car and once they realised i hadn't stirred made the most of it !

It's unlikely it will happen again so i tend not to think about it. I'm just pleased i left my car keys in the hall and didn't take them up to bed with me !