Property crime occurs every 3 seconds, a home burglary every 15 seconds.

Now there is a new threat "Home Invasion". "Home Invasion" is a term police use when a suspect enters a home with or without force and confronts the occupants to commit a robbery and or other crimes such as assault, rape, torture or even murder.

"Home Invasion" is particularly troubling because of the potential trauma it inflicts on the occupants, parents and especially small children and the potential threat of assault, rape, torture or even murder.

To me it seems like "home invasion" is much more intimidating than a regular burglary. It is one thing to have your home burglarized when you are not there. That is bad enough. But to have someone invade your home while you are there brandishing a knife or gun brings the violation up a notch to a whole new level.

It is my sincere hope that none of my readers/customers ever have to go thru the trauma of a home invasion or burglary.

Forewarned is forearmed or something like that. Take these steps to help prepare for what is almost inevitable.

1.MAKE YOUR HOME YOUR CASTLE Secure it the best you can. Do the obvious things doors, windows, etc. Eliminate hiding places. Install some door and window alarms. And while you're at it check to see if the "Castle Doctrine" applies in your area.

2."GET SMART and GET A PLAN" Home Invaders can be thwarted if you and your family have a plan and have practiced what to do in case of an intrusion. That plan must assuredly involve some non lethal self defense weapons such as stun guns, tasers, pepper sprays, stun batons, etc. located throughout the house.

3.PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE Practice what to do in the event of an emergency and practice how to use your non lethal self defense weapons. Nothing beats having a split second response in an emergency.

4.HAVE A FAIL SAFE WAY TO GET 911 Land lines, cell phones, smoke signals-some way to get help that will work no matter what.

If you follow these tips not only will you be prepared but the worry factor will diminish.

Jack Krohn is the #1 author of Home Security Articles in the country according to EzineArticles. He owns SECURITY SOLUTIONS a one stop resource that provides solutions and answers for all your self defense and home security problems.