1 Be vigilant
2Make a noise
3Stay calm
4 Call the police
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HOUSEHOLD EMERGENCIES
DEALING WITH INTRUDERS
1 Be vigilant
• If you arrive home and see anyone loitering outside, pass by your house and ask a neighbor to accompany you to the door.
• If you return home to find that the front door is open, do not enter your home. Move a safe distance away and, if you have a cellular phone, call the police. Alternatively, go to a neighbor’ s and phone the police from there.
• If you come home and your key won’ t open the door, it could mean that an intruder has secured the door from inside so as not to be disturbed. Move away quickly and call the police.
• If you return home to find that your home has been ransacked, call the police immediately. Do not touch anything until the police arrive so as not to destroy any fingerprints left by burglars.
2Make a noise
• If you do enter your home and meet an intruder, run out and shout or scream as loudly as you can.
• Don’ t try to apprehend him or her.
3Stay calm
• If you must face the intruder, keep calm and try not to provoke a
reaction by making threats.
• Try to memorize as much as you can of the intruder’ s appearance,
mannerisms, and speech so that you can provide the police with an accurate description.
4 Call the police
• Dial 911 or call your local police station.
• Try to give the police as much information as possible.
DEALING WITH A NIGHT INTRUDER
• If you are woken in the night by unusual noises or the sound of breaking glass,
call the police.
• Keep your cellular phone turned on by the bed so that you can still call for help
if the telephone line has been cut.
• If you are alone in the house, talk loudly as if you have a companion in the room.
You could also switch on the lights and make a lot of noise. Most intruders will leave as soon as they hear noise.
• Do not go downstairs to investigate.
• Do not keep an offensive weapon or try to defend your property. No items,
however valuable, are worth serious injury or death.
• If you meet the intruder, stay calm and try to memorize his or her appearance.
Responding to a disturbance When you dial 911, you will be advised on whether to make a noise or to pretend that you are asleep. Stay in bed until the police arrive.