I refuse to believe that I’m the only one who’s been in this situation. Fortunately, so far there have only been false alarms, like my wife forgetting the front door unlocked, an open window, or the lights left on before leaving.
But you never know, so I’m thinking it’s better to be cautious and safe than rash and sorry.
In fact, although we live in a fairly decent neighborhood, the house next door was broken into two times last year—probably because they live there only three to four months a year. I guess someone has been watching them. Well…since then, I’ve always cleared my house when I come home from holidays or short trips.
Of course, there are some things that you can do around your house to prevent thieves from breaking into your home when you are gone, but even so…you would want to carefully clear your house if you find a dubious sign.
Dave Spaulding, from Ruger Tactical Tips, made a really great guide about how to clear your house from any intruders. Before you watch the video below, keep in mind that you should use stealth to your advantage. If they know you are coming, then you might be dead no matter how good your techniques are. This is why clearing a house is usually a team job; otherwise, you’ll get in some critical situations (see picture two paragraphs below).
As a general rule, stay close to the wall on one side of the hallway, and avoid walking down the middle so that you can minimize your outline and make yourself less of a target.
Once you’ve opened the door, it’s time to “slice the pie.” This is a method used to clear corners and doorway entrances, where you clear each area in small slices. Here is the illustration:
The “Slice the Pie” Method
This process has to be done with maximum attention and—most importantly—PATIENCE!
If someone is waiting for you, your best chance is to make yourself less of a target and possibly elude his ambush and the element of surprise.
Even so, the slice of pie method will not guarantee full coverage, and although it’s kind of dangerous, it is still your best option if you are alone.
Another Common Situation…
…is when you hear a noise in the middle of the night and you need to get out of your bed to see what’s happening or even clearing the entire house.
Of course, there’s no need to say that you need to have your gun as close to your bed as possible. Right next to your gun should be your tactical flashlight (assuming that you don’t have night vision goggles).
In the video below, Dave Spaulding will show you how to use your flashlight in conjunction with your gun. In the video, you’ll discover five conjunction techniques that you can use depending on the situation:
- The FBI Technique
- The Harries Technique
- The Syringe Technique
- The Combat Ring Technique
- The Pucket Technique
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Sorry, but I have to disagree. This is not an “emergency” No immediate action is necessary. Set up a perimeter if possible and call the sheriff or police dept. This is their job, they are trained for it and they are paid to do it. The intruder will know full well that you are there and he will have the benefit of surprise. This isn’t completely theoretical. I am a Marine veteran and am trained in building clearing, BUT, as such, I was acting as part of a unit. ( I am licensed and I do carry) Secondly, this very event happened to my wife back in 2007. She came home from a morning at work and saw obvious signs of the burglary. She did just what I suggested here. All ended well, the losses were insured, and she didn’t barge into a situation that would be potentially dangerous.
Yep. Unless he is talking EOTHAWKI and there is no LE. Even then, I think I’d wait for them to come out.
Amen…no need to be a hero, let the guys who get paid by you clear your house….
I can see this applying when already home, family is asleep, and alarm goes off. Time to check on kids, or wait for LE to arrive?
The sound of a garage door being opened could alert anyone inside the home — authorized or not — to the presence of others. I’d guess that there are many of us who are “in the habit” of pressing the button on the remote garage door openers clipped to our visors as we turn off the street/ road and into our driveways, without taking even a brief moment to assess the appearance of our homes and scan for signs of a possible intrusion. I confess to being one of those people; but because of this article I will try to be more vigilant.
Hopefully, the motion-detector activated security spotlight illumination we have around the perimeter of the house deters break-ins. But that same security illumination could also alert any burglars already inside the home to the arrival of others (ourselves or LE), no matter how quiet we or LE may try to be.
It’s an imperfect world.
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I called the police and had them clear my home. The saw my collection of ammo cans and small arsenal and interrogated me when they were done. Came out and split up, one interrogated and the other covered. could have been bad. I open carry. Fortunately I have the state mandated permissions to do so. Still, It was an edgy few moments. I did not like it one bit. would never call police again. Ever. I recommend the same for you.
I just open my door and send my dog out. If you are not family or friend, your dinner.
If they are inside the house and yr not. Call Police.
Must find a way to escape from the house if u are inside with them. Or worse u must take them down. Break their legs. Worse is to be a hostage. You will never know what they will do to yr. family……